Is getting your ears pierced still in style?

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Piercing the lobe or cartilage of the ear is a widespread practice that dates back thousands of years. This form of body expression has evolved over the years and is now embraced not only by women but also by men. Ear piercing has gained recognition and has become an integral part of the contemporary beauty and fashion universe.

A Brief History of Ear Piercings

The practice of ear piercing dates back to early primitive societies. Stone labrets were inserted into the lobes and lower lip of the Mursi (Ethiopia) in the Neolithic era. In ancient Egypt, ear piercings were worn according to social rank. Those of higher social status were the ones who exclusively adopted gold ear piercings. Although ear piercing was considered a pagan practice by the Church during the Middle Ages, this jewelry regained popularity during the Renaissance period. Ear piercings were seen during this time as essential jewelry for women.

In the 70s, ear piercings became increasingly associated with collective claims, self-acceptance, and affirmation… Today, ear piercings are embraced by many people, regardless of age, gender, origin, style, or social class. Ear piercings are therefore always trendy and are now firmly rooted in civil society.

What Types of Ear Piercings Exist?

There are different types of piercings, and the choice can vary depending on your preferences.

Tragus and Anti-Tragus Piercing

This piercing is performed on the small fold of cartilage covering the ear’s auditory canal. The anti-tragus piercing is located on the upper part of the ear, opposite the tragus. The healing time for this piercing ranges from 2 to 12 months. After getting a tragus or anti-tragus piercing, you can choose from various types of jewelry, including small hoops, studs, and small straight barbells. The jewelry is generally small and can be very elegant.

Lobe Piercing

As one of the most common and simplest types of piercings, it involves piercing the fleshy part located at the bottom of the ear. Lobe piercings are generally made in this area by passing through the soft tissue rather than the cartilage. Whether for men or women, it is the first place people want to pierce and insert hoops, earrings… Its healing time ranges from 3 to 4 months. It is possible to pierce two holes in the lobe and create combinations to accumulate multiple pieces of jewelry.

Helix and Anti-Helix Piercing

Very trendy in recent years, the helix piercing is located at the upper part of the ear, just below the root of the ear, where the cartilage is thicker than in the lobe. Its healing time is a minimum of 8 months. As for the anti-helix, it is found on the downward curve of the ear near the tragus. You can opt for a stud or a hoop after the piercing. The healing time for the anti-helix piercing is between 6 to 8 months.

Rook Piercing

It is considered one of the most painful piercings due to the thick cartilage found in this area. The exact location of the rook piercing is in the fold of cartilage located between the auditory canal and the outer part of the ear. Depending on the person’s morphology wishing to get this piercing, the fold may not be pronounced enough. Rook piercings allow for a varied selection of jewelry, including curved bars and hoops… The healing time for a rook piercing ranges from 3 to 12 months.

Snug Piercing

This type of piercing is less common, just like the rook piercing. The snug piercing is placed in the inner cartilage fold of the ear, usually closer to the helix than to the anti-helix. It follows the curve of the cartilage, making it different from other ear piercings. This piercing can be painful for some, as it passes twice through thick cartilage. Regarding the healing time for this piercing, it ranges from 3 to 12 months depending on care.

Daith Piercing

The daith is the cartilaginous part that connects the tragus and the helix of the ear, and the piercing is generally performed through this area. It is placed in the natural curve of the daith, usually perpendicular to the surface of the ear. This type of piercing is rather rare and its healing time is also 3 to 12 months. Additionally, there are also conch, industrial, and orbital piercings.

How to Choose a Good Piercer and Jewelry?

Choosing a good piercer is essential to ensure a safe piercing with an aesthetically pleasing result and successful healing. You should indeed choose a professional who has the necessary certifications. They must master the practices of hygiene, safety, and sterilization. The piercer should use appropriate equipment to pierce your ear without causing infection. Before making a decision, you can visit the professional’s studio and ask the piercer for references or photos of their previous work. This way, you can get an idea of the quality of their work.

Regarding the choice of jewelry, you should consider your style and specific preferences. Choose jewelry made from medical-grade materials, such as implant-grade titanium. This is the material of choice for initial jewelry placement. You should avoid jewelry made from cheap or allergenic materials. While considering the area of the piercing, choose jewelry that matches your style. You need to ensure that the jewelry is not too tight as this can cause issues with blood circulation and healing. There should normally be space for the initial swelling that usually occurs after a piercing. Do not hesitate to follow your piercer’s advice regarding the choice of jewelry.