Healing stages
- Open wound stage. For the first week after piercing the area pierced is characterized by bleeding, redness, soreness, and discharge.
- Healing stage. This is where the main healing takes place, and represents a time period of anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on it, your health, and ...
- Toughening stage. ...
How long does it take for a tragus piercing to heal?
The tragus will take a few months to heal. Cartilage famously varies in its healing times, but most often the tragus heals between 2 - 3 months. However, some report healing times of up to a year, so keep an eye on your piercing and talk to a piercer if you’re unsure you’re fully healed.
What is a tragus piercing and should you get one?
Your tragus is that nubby little outcropping of cartilage that’s right in front of your ear canal. Tragus piercings have become all the rage, and for good reason. If you’re looking to show off a statement hoop or a subtle stud, a tragus piercing always looks cool AF.
What are the 3 stages of piercing healing?
So in this blog, I figured I would go through the three stages that a piercing goes through. A Body Piercing will go through three main stages of healing. The first is the Acceptance Stage or inflammatory phase, the second is the Healing Stage and the third is the Seasoning Stage.
How long does a tragus piercing stay sore?
For around 2 weeks, it is typical to experience: throbbing and discomfort around the area.
Should you rotate tragus piercing?
During the entire healing period you want to avoid rotating the jewelry. This is because if it scabs rotating the jewelry will rip that scab and disrupt the healing process. You should avoid sleeping on the piercing if possible and try not to hit or knock it with a brush or hand.
How do I know if my piercing is healing correctly?
Keep in mind that some redness, tenderness, swelling, and discharge is normal for a healing piercing, but we advise clients to consult a health care professional for unexpected redness, tenderness, or swelling at the site, any rash, unexpected drainage from the piercing, or a fever within 24 hours of the body art ...
How long does a tragus piercing stay swollen?
Although your piercing won't be completely healed for about eight weeks, these symptoms shouldn't last more than a week or two after the piercing is done. If you notice any unusual changes, speak to your piercer as soon as possible.
How do I clean the inside of my tragus piercing?
3:304:49Clean a Tragus Piercing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you try to soak your tragus piercing in a mug in for whatever reason you can't get your ear belowMoreIf you try to soak your tragus piercing in a mug in for whatever reason you can't get your ear below the water level use a saline compress instead again microwave the mug full of saline.
Can tragus piercing paralyze your face?
Tragus piercings, as well as eyebrow piercings, have been accused of causing facial paralysis. The myths about this are anywhere from a permanent affliction to just a few minutes. Neither of these are true. The tragus does not contain sufficient nerve endings for a piercing to cause paralysis.
Should I leave the crust on my piercing?
Due to the type of puncture wound a piercing is, it's important to remove the crust that develops around your earring or on the outside of your piercing. This is because air needs to hit the punctured tissue to properly heal your piercing.
What color should piercing crust be?
Crusties—the nickname for the clear or yellow caking that forms around a healing body piercing. Crusties are the result of your body trying to heal itself. This is simply a mix of lymphatic fluid, epithelial debris and dead blood cells which seeps out clear and dries to a yellowish color when exposed to air.
What should a healing piercing look like?
It looks good – most piercings look pretty good from the outset. A small amount of redness is not uncommon, but this should subside within a couple of weeks. You may notice some dry matter at the entry or exit of your piercing. This is called “exudate” and is a byproduct of the healing process.
How do you know if your tragus is rejecting?
Symptoms of piercing rejectionThe jewelry has noticeably moved from its original place.The amount of tissue between the entrance and exit holes gets thinner (there should be at least a quarter inch of tissue between holes).The entrance and exit holes increase in size.The jewelry starts to hang or droop differently.More items...
Why is my tragus still sore?
While pain related to the piercing procedure tends to only last for a few minutes or hours, you may have some lingering soreness as it heals. After all, new piercings are essentially open wounds. As it heals, avoid putting any pressure on the area to minimize pain and discomfort.
Why is my tragus swollen and sore?
Outer ear pain can most commonly be caused by environmental conditions such as water exposure or extreme cold weather that can lead to frostbite of the outer ear. Other causes for ear tragus pain include irritation from obtrusive objects like cotton swabs or fingers.
What happens if you sleep on your tragus piercing?
Take care when you sleep. Try not to sleep on your piercings. Like wearing headphones, sleeping on your side puts pressure on the earring. If you must sleep on your side, try to limit the time you spend. You should also make sure that your bedding is always clean to avoid harmful bacteria.
Is a hoop or stud better for tragus piercing?
Getting a stud instead of a hoop will help you avoid these issues. Not only do they make for easier healing, but some piercers also prefer them for aesthetic purposes. "I prefer smaller studs on tragus piercings because it's a nice place to have a subtle sparkle," Castillo says.
Does the tragus piercing help with weight loss?
Answer From Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Ear stapling for weight loss isn't likely to work — and it poses a serious risk of infection. Ear stapling is based loosely on the principles of acupuncture, which involves stimulating certain points with fine needles.
Are tragus piercings out of style?
The tragus is a small piece of cartilage on the inner corner of your ear (it's what you touch when you plug your ears). Although it definitely isn't as popular as your classic earlobe piercing, tragus piercings are definitely on the rise, mainly because they make a sweet little addition to any curated ear.
What is the most popular piercing for a tragus?
By far, cartilage studs are the most popular styles for the tragus piercing jewelry. The unique location of the tragus speaks for itself; a small gemstone or charm peeking from the tragus is enough to make this piercing shine.
How long does it take for a tragus to heal?
The tragus will take a few months to heal. Cartilage famously varies in its healing times, but most often the tragus heals between 2 - 3 months. However, some report healing times of up to a year, so keep an eye on your piercing and talk to a piercer if you’re unsure you’re fully healed. Keep in mind that the inside of a piercing takes longer ...
How much does a piercing cost?
The actual piercing typically costs around $30 - $50. You’ll also have to buy the jewelry. Choose metals that are safe for sensitive skin, like stainless steel or 14k gold. These jewelry options will be more expensive, but they will encourage happy healing; cheaper metals run the risk of being rejected by your body.
Can you get a tragus piercing?
The shape of the tragus varies greatly from person to person. If your tragus is too thin, too small, or in a difficult location, it might not be possible to get this piercing. There are other options in the tragus area, like the anti-tragus, so talk to your piercer about other fun cartilage piercing options.
Can headphones put pressure on ear piercing?
Since the tragus is located so close to the ear canal, headphones tend to put pressure on the new piercing. Even small pressure over a long period of time can create issues. You can wear ear buds, but see to it they aren’t putting too much pressure on your ...
Does tragus need aftercare?
Aftercare rules. As mentioned previously, the tragus healing process requires strict aftercare practices . The difficulty of healing cartilage combined with its location next to the bacteria-ridden ear canal makes it extra susceptible to infection and scarring.
Does a tragus piercing hurt?
Although the cartilage is thicker in the tragus, the tragus piercing doesn’t hurt more than other cartilage piercings, so if you’ve gotten a helix, auricle, conch, or other piercing in the ear cartilage, you should know what to expect pain-wise. However, the tragus is located next to the ear canal, so beyond the pain and pressure ...
How to heal a tragus piercing faster?
The key to encouraging faster tragus piercing healing is to care properly for your new piercing. Making sure that you follow good hygiene practices and keeping the pierced area free from microbes and germs is the best way to prevent any infection.
What is the best treatment for tragus piercings?
Sea salt compress for tragus piercing infections. Most doctors recommend using a sea salt solution for treating piercing infections. Salt is a natural antimicrobial agent that can help to prevent wounds becoming infected and can also help treat infected piercing wounds. Advertisement.
How to get rid of a tragus piercing?
Use warm water to wash the tragus piercing for 5 minutes and do this 3 to 4 times a day. Use a salt water solution as a warm compress and hold it to your tragus piercing to help prevent infections. Apply a cold pack to your tragus area to help reduce any signs of inflammation like redness and swelling.
How long does it take for a cartilage piercing to heal?
Expert in dermatology, Dr. Stephanie Gardner says that ear cartilage piercings can take between 4 months and 1 year to heal.
What is the tragus in ear piercings?
The tragus is the small, triangular shaped cartilage at the opening of your ear canal. Most cartilage piercings heal without any problem. However, when it comes to the healing process, there are more complications associated with cartilage piercings.
Why is it important to care for a tragus piercing?
It is important to care properly for your tragus piercing to prevent infections in the wound. If the wound becomes infected, you should start treating it right away. However, if home remedies for piercing infections aren’t successful and the infection gets worse, you should visit your doctor.
How to get rid of a piercing on the skin?
Apply to the piercing after cleansing it with the sea salt compress. The tea tree and coconut oil remedy will help to keep the skin around the new piercing soft and reduce inflammation. Alternatively, you can apply tea tree oil directly to the new piercing.
How long does it take for a tragus piercing to heal?
Like any other cartilage piercing, the tragus takes about three to six months to heal. That's just a rough estimate, though. Because we're in the age of smartphones and many of us listen to music with earphones or headphones regularly, Castillo says special care should be taken.
How much does a tragus piercing cost?
At 108, for example, the piercing alone will cost you $40 , and an additional $120 to $180 will be added on for a stud.
How to get close to a tragus piercing?
The only time you should get close to the tragus piercing is when cleaning it. Both piercers and Akhavan advise using an unscented soap, like Dr. Bronner's 18-In-1 Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap, and water. After sudsing the soap up in your hands, you should "gently massage soap onto the jewelry," Thompson explains.
Is Beyonce's piercing real?
Beyonce's piercer gets real about this unique ear piercing. Last month, I told Beyoncé's piercer to do whatever he wanted with my ears. After taking a minute to survey what he was working with, he decided my tragus was the way to go, and when Beyoncé's piercer tells you that you should get your tragus pierced, you let it happen.
Is it safe to get a tragus pierced?
Of course, there are always risks involved when getting a piercing: however, getting your tragus pierced is a relatively low-risk procedure when done by a professional, says Arash Akhavan, founder of Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City.
Did Thompson pierce my ear?
Thompson went on to do a vertical stack of two studs on my right lobe. They felt like nothing compared to the tragus. He also pierced the lower part of the cartilage on my left ear, and that hurt significantly less than the tragus, too. Adrian Castillo.
Is Tragus piercing popular?
Tragus piercings are generally popular, though. " [It's] one of those piercings that have never really died down," piercer Cassi Lopez of New York Adorned in New York City has told Allure. "In all of the years that I’ve been piercing, they are very consistent.".
When was the last time a tragus piercing was reviewed?
Last medically reviewed on April 1, 2021.
How long does it take for a cartilage piercing to heal?
While your average lobe piercing will usually take 6 to 8 weeks to heal, cartilage piercings — like a tragus piercing — generally take longer, around 4 months to 1 year. You will know when your tragus is fully healed. You’ll experience a lack of pain, warmth, redness or discoloration, swelling, drainage, tenderness.
Why are cartilage piercings more susceptible to infection?
All piercings are at risk of infection but cartilage piercings, including tragus piercings, are more susceptible because less blood — which contains infection-fighting mechanisms like white blood cells — flows through these areas.
What is a keloid piercing?
Keloids are bumps of scar tissue that form on or next to a piercing. While not a health hazard, they can be itchy, red or discolored, and uncomfortable. Following your aftercare instructions helps decrease your risk of getting a keloid, but you can still get one even if you’re diligent.
How to clean a tragus?
The easiest way to do this is by soaking a clean cotton ball in the saline solution holding it against your tragus for 3 to 5 minutes per cleaning.
How to get a piercing out of your neck?
Use headphones. Sleep on your side. Hot tip: if changing sleep positions is a nonstarter, try using one of those airline neck pillows that have a hole in the center, so that your piercing isn’t laying against any fabric. Immerse the area in water.
What color are hypertrophic scars?
While they’re often confused with keloids, hypertrophic scars are flatter and tend to be smaller in size. They can range anywhere from pink to brown in color and can pop up as your skin heals.
How to care for a tragus piercing?
To care for your tragus piercing: Rinse it two or three times a day using a saline solution that you can buy or make yourself. Avoid touching the piercing so you don’t introduce bacteria and germs into the wound. Wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing.
What are the signs of a piercing?
a bump at the piercing site. fever. thickening or flaking around the piercing. If you’re not sure if something is unusual, you can contact the piercer to double check, but it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about any of the above symptoms.
How does cartilage piercing work?
The theory is that ear cartilage piercings work similar to acupuncture and relieve pain by stimulating pressure points and nerve endings. In this case, that would be the vagus nerve, which extends from the base of your brain to the rest of your body.
What type of piercings are used for initial piercings?
Barbells, hoops, and studs are the most common types used for initial piercings: Barbells are easy to get in and out of the piercing (though this won’t matter much for the initial piercing). Studs might offer some protection against scarring. Rings work best if you’re looking for something simple and discreet.
What metal is best for a piercing?
Titanium. This is another medical-grade metal, but unlike stainless steel, titanium is completely hypoallergenic. It’s more expensive, but if you have a severe nickel allergy, titanium is what your piercer will likely recommend. Solid 14-karat or higher gold.
What causes a piercing to be red?
Here’s a look at the main things to watch for: Infection. An open wound (like a piercing) can allow bacteria to get in and cause infection. This can cause redness, pain, inflammation, and bleeding that doesn’t stop or gets worse. It can also cause dark or foul-smelling pus and a fever. Bloodborne infections.
What is the best piercing material for a piercing?
Here’s a look at the recommended options for initial piercings: Surgical stainless steel. This is medical-grade stainless steel used for medical implants. It does contain some nickel, but a low rate of nickel release makes it safe even for most people with a nickel allergy.
How do you know if you have a tragus ear piercing?
This is another sign as well as a symptom that will help you know if your tragus ear piercing or any other has become infected. Bumps may appear behind or in front of the side. We shall look at it later with more details.
What does it mean when you say your tragus is pierced?
When you say your piercing has an infection, the question that should come to mind is “where did your tragus pierced”? Poor process could be a result of using both inappropriate equipment and method. One of this equipment is the piercing gun which is not appropriate for the tragus. Additionally, this makes it to hurt.
What happens if you put too tight jewelry on a piercing?
Otherwise placement of too tight jewelry can lead to formation of bumps or bubbles round the piercing.
What to use for a piercing infection?
Saline solution . Saline solutions can be used as a treatment for infected piercing and also for cleaning. In case you have noticed the infection symptoms, disinfect your hands, dip a clean cotton bud in saline solution then apply to the area.
Why do piercings get infected?
Unsterilized piercing equipment. The number one cause of infection is due to using contaminated tools during the process. This is most evident if you get your piercing from untrained and unqualified piercer or people who are training in salons.
How to get rid of tragus after cleaning?
Saline solutions, Clean gently at least twice each day using cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol or saline solutions, or sea salt soak. If you feel that rubbing alcohol triggers tragus inflammation after cleaning you should suspend its use. This may happen in some few individuals and not others.
How long does it take for a tragus to swell?
The swelling will last for as long as 48 hours – which is not typical of normal swelling that may occur after you have just had your piercing.
What is the second stage of healing?
Stage two is also known as the defensive stage . The focus in phase two of healing is to destroy bacteria and remove any debris left in the wound. In this stage, neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell, enter the wound area, and start cleaning it out. They remove any debris and nonessential bacteria that could irritate or cause infection. This helps prepare the area for new tissue growth. Once some of that is done, macrophages move on in and finish the process of clearing debris, such as dead or damaged cells. Macrophages also secrete growth factors and proteins that attract cells from your immune system to assist in tissue repair. The dermis and epidermis also work together and contract to close the wound while fibroblasts help create connective tissue to close the wound. During the inflammatory phase of healing, the permeability of the vessels increases, permitting fluid to accumulate in the tissue around the wound. This is when you may start to experience the signs of healing such as redness, soreness, drainage that is clear/white-ish in color, and swelling.
What is important to remember when getting a piercing?
The important thing to remember is that everyone heals differently. There are a lot of factors to consider like how well you take care of your piercing, your overall health and lifestyle, and also the quality of circulation in the area you’re choosing to get pierced.
What is a piercing wound?
Which is exactly what a piercing is. A piercing is a puncture wound that requires aftercare and time to heal in order to accept the piercing.
How long does a wound last?
This last phase can last anywhere from six months to two years. The important thing to remember is that everyone heals differently.
Does soap wash piercings?
Glycerin soap washes remove any resides from the surface of the piercing and jewelry before they can get inside and cause irritation. Your body healing a piercing is a miraculous process. It’s best to understand how that process works so that you can have a piercing that looks beautiful and lasts.
Does a lip piercing heal faster?
A lip piercing or any other piercing done in a mu cous membrane, for example, often times heals a lot quicker than any cartilage piercing. You can help the process along by doing a consistent after regimen. Sea salt soaks help flush out the wound and get it to drain.
The Acceptance Stage (inflammatory phase)
This stage will usually last anywhere from a few days to few weeks depending on the piercing and the piercee's health. Immediately after the piercing is done the body goes to work at sealing the wound and beginning the process of creating new tissue. To do this the Blood will first clot around the piercing holes and the jewelry.
The Healing Stage (proliferative phase)
During this stage, the body will begin to produce the fistula which is a tunnel or tube of scar tissue for each piercing hole edge until it connects in the center. During this phase, the piercing may seem normal and not show signs of being an open wound. For example, it will no longer be tender to the touch, be inflamed or bleed.
The Seasoning Stage (The Maturation Phase)
During this final stage, the fistula walls will begin to thicken and expand. This will not only decrease the risk of damage to the piercing but also reduce the likelihood of the piercing closing quickly if the jewelry is removed for a period of time.
How a Piercing Closes
In closing, I thought I should explain how a piercing closes. Once the jewelry is removed, the body will begin to re-join the fistula scar tissue. Usually, this is toward the center of the tunnel and why the piercing will look open but the jewelry will stop half though and refuse to go any further.