Surface tragus piercing: pain, aftercare and healing

Helix, daith, tragus, lobe… Your collection of ear piercings looks complete!

And yet, you're not planning to stop there. For a little while now, the surface tragus piercing has caught your eye 👀

Distinctive and bold, it's tempting you to take the plunge. But you're worried about the pain and how to manage the aftercare… You've also heard that rejection is common with surface piercings 😔

Don't panic, the Solstice team is here to shed some light on the subject and offer guidance 🙂

Let's get started!

 

What is a surface piercing?

Uncommon and distinctive, a surface piercing is a piercing placed just beneath the surface of the skin. It therefore passes through a shallow layer of tissue.

Surface piercings can be placed on different parts of the body, including the back, neck, chest, stomach or hips. They are different from the vertical tragus ear piercing, which is a separate ear placement.

These piercings can be more demanding to care for and heal than some other placements.

A surface tragus piercing sits on the cheek, beside the tragus. The tragus is the small flap of cartilage at the entrance to the ear canal.

A staple-shaped surface bar is commonly used for a surface tragus piercing.

 

How painful is a surface tragus piercing?

You're almost ready to take the plunge and get a surface piercing, but one question keeps coming back: does it hurt? 🤔

How a surface piercing feels varies from person to person. A fixed score of 5/10 cannot predict your experience (see the IASP definition of pain).

Of course, this will depend on your sensitivity, personal tolerance and apprehension.

A little insight: your state of mind can play an important role in how you experience pain. Stress may make it feel more painful 😔

But there are ways that may help you manage the discomfort!

Keep reading to find out more 😉

 

Preparing for a piercing

Let's be clear: there is no miracle recipe or magic potion that guarantees a painless piercing.

However, preparing well may help make the experience less painful! 😁

The important thing is to manage your stress.

You know, that familiar challenge of the XXI century?

We therefore recommend:

• Bringing someone close to you if you need support
• Listening to music
• Practising meditation / controlled breathing for a few minutes beforehand
• Tying your hair back if it's long
• Sleeping well, eating and drinking before the procedure
• Avoiding recreational drugs and alcohol
• Not taking medication specifically for the piercing without medical advice; do not stop prescribed medication without consulting your clinician

Try not to worry: your piercer can help you prepare 🙂

 

Understanding aftercare and healing

Is your surface piercing healing, and do you need some aftercare advice?

Or perhaps you're planning ahead for a future piercing…

Then read on: we're talking about aftercare, rejection and healing times 🙂

Pssst: there's also a surprise waiting for you 😉

How long does a surface tragus piercing take to heal?

Healing times vary widely. A surface tragus piercing can take a long time to settle, so do not rely on a set timeline alone.

A calm-looking piercing can be encouraging, but appearance alone does not confirm that it has healed. If you are unsure, have it assessed in person by a qualified piercer.

It's a long journey, and it can take patience! But don't feel discouraged: appropriate aftercare can support healing, even though it cannot guarantee faster recovery.

We'll discuss this in the next section 🙂

An aftercare routine to follow

Feeling unsure about your daily aftercare? Wondering how to help your surface tragus piercing heal?

Let us guide you 😉

Looking after your piercing is essential while it heals. Gentle cleaning helps keep your routine consistent.

But how should you do it?

Clean gently with a sterile 0.9 % saline solution intended for wounds. Do not add an antiseptic unless medically advised.

To support healing, we also recommend:

• Not touching / playing with your piercing
• Avoiding contact sports and activities that could knock or snag the piercing
• Avoiding swimming pools, lakes, rivers, saunas and similar wet environments
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle without recreational drugs or alcohol
• If wearing a headband to sleep, ensuring it does not press on or catch the piercing
• Keeping chemical products (make-up, shampoo…) away from the piercing

Avoid applying essential oils to the wound; keep your routine simple, as explained in the APP aftercare recommendations.

Surface piercing rejection

We won't hide it: rejection is a recognised possibility with a surface piercing beside the tragus.

These piercings are often exposed to rubbing, knocks and snagging (clothing, hair, sport…)

It is therefore possible to experience persistent redness around your surface piercing 😔

There are 2 options to discuss with your piercer:

• Returning to your piercer to have the jewellery removed if appropriate
• Reviewing your aftercare with your piercer; extra cleaning will not necessarily stop rejection

Unfortunately, a surface piercing may be short-lived. Some do need to be removed after a period of wear, while others last longer. Individual outcomes vary 😉

 

How much does a surface tragus piercing cost?

At a French piercing studio, a surface tragus piercing may cost around 60 to 80 euros. This indicative price may include the jewellery, procedure, aftercare and follow-up. Check what your chosen studio includes.

Yes, it's something to budget for!

Don't choose a jewellery shop simply to pay less for your piercing! Staff may not have the appropriate training, and equipment that is not properly sterilised or suitable for the procedure poses a risk.

 

A final word

Have you decided to get a surface piercing?

If so, feel free to send us your favourite photos at hello@solsticebjoux.fr 🙂

Thank you for reading! We hope you've enjoyed this article.

If you'd like to learn more, download our piercing guide by clicking below:

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