The first recorded case of ear piercing was found on a European mummy from 5000 years ago found on the border between Austria and Italy. In the Persian empire, soldiers had their ear lobes pierced. Piercings were mentioned in the bible and are an important sacrament within Hinduism. So, when you get your ears pierced you are taking part in an ancient tradition that humans have done for millennia.
In the 16th century in Western Europe, this fashion became famous again. It turned into a way for men to show off their elite status by wearing pricey earrings. Before that, sailors used ear piercings to represent their achievements while others believed piercings can enhance their eyesight. Although today piercings are more often seen as something that is just fashionable, there are some schools of thought that believe that piercing specific parts of the ear can have different benefits.
How to choose the right ear piercing for you?
There are so many different kinds of ear piercings out there. As a kind of body art, they are usually considered a way of making a style statement and each of them has a unique vibe. If you are considering ear piercing you may like to know what options there are. Although ear piercing is a fine form of body art compared to tattoos, they aren’t going to stay forever. So have fun and if you don’t like it, then take it out.
A detailed explanation of the ear-piercing chart:
What are the main three types of ear piercing?
Let’s start with an overview. There are three main piercings according to ear parts; lobe, outer and inner piercing. These all-embracing categories are based on where the piercing is worn.
Lobe piercing
The piercing in the earlobe is the most common type of ear piercing. It is the least painful to get and there are numerous possibilities with this kind of piercing. It takes almost six weeks to heal – which is one of the quickest- then after it is ready for many kinds of earrings such as fishhooks, hoops, and studs. Lobe piercing has different types such as standard lob piercing and transverse lobe piercing.
Outer ear piercings
In this type, the piercing is worn on the outer edges of one’s ear except for the lobes. It hurts more than lobe piercing and takes longer to heal. Tragus piercing, snug piercing, forward helix piercing, industrial piercing, and auricle piercing are some examples of outer ear piercing.
Inner ear piercings
Inner ear piercings are done on the innermost parts of the ear. They are found either going from the front to the back or through one of the folds. They are more hidden than lobe and outer piercing while shiny stubs can make this kind of piercing eye-catching. Anti-tragus piercing, helix piercing, rook piercing, and daith piercing are some of the most popular inner ear piercings.
One of the wonderful things about ear piercing is that there are several choices available that you can combine to find your style. Here we have a look at some of the trendiest ones.
Transverse Lobe Piercing: A modern version of a classic one!
Lobe piercings are the most popular piercings out there. Multiple piercings are getting common and they don’t stand out anymore. But by getting creative with transverse lobe piercing, the modern is taking on an old classic and lobe piercing is becoming unique again.
Despite standard lobe piercing that passes from the front and out the back of the ear, the piercing in transverse style runs horizontally through the earlobe and you’ll find both ends on one side of the ear.
The hurt caused depends on whether the cartilage is affected or not. If you want to keep your transverse piercing limited to the lobe area it will not hurt that much, but if you are interested in bigger transverse piercings you need to pierce the inner or outer ear as well. In this process, the cartilage is engaged and more pain is inevitable. And please consider a comparatively longer healing period and therefore a higher risk of infection.
Snug piercing: the most amazing but the most painful
The snug piercing is one of the most unique piercings that you can have.
It is snugly located between the inner and outer cartilage. It is pierced down near the ear’s outer rim, while it doesn’t connect to the outermost part of the ear. For the majority of people, snug piercing hurts more than any other piercings.
Snug piercing using micro jewelry can even get more distinctive when it is used with rings and barbells.
Daith Piercing: that beauty that may relive anxiety
The daith piercing goes through the inner ridge of cartilage just above the ear canal or beside the end of the ear’s helix. There is a belief that this piercing can help ease anxiety-related symptoms, but there are not any clinical traits that can support this statement. Research to see if stimulating the nerve around the Daith piercing area can treat health conditions is under process. Anyway, combining Daith piercing with tragus piercing creates an outstanding result.
Tragus Piercing; the long healing period is worth it!
The thick piece of flesh in the ear that covers the ear canal and protects the internal organs of the ear is called the tragus. The tragus is a favorite and an iconic spot for ear piercing. Tragus piercing looks great, but since the cartilage in this area is harder than other parts of the ear the piercing process may be hurtful. Tragus piercing healing period ranges from 6 to 10 months. The less pressure applied to the area, the faster it heals.
How you can avoid complications in ear piercing?
Some kinds of ear-piercing may seem possible to be done at home. But it is not as safe as it looks. You may end up with the unpredicted inconvenience. To avoid injuring yourself and to prevent infection it's best to turn to experts.
Aftercare for ear piercing can be less significant than other body piercings but caring for the new piercing is important to heal in recommended period and to avoid complications like infection. Therefore, it is important to follow aftercare instructions step by step carefully.
Now you know the options!
Now that you know some of the different options it's time to decide what’s best for you. At Blockhead we only offer ear piercings with the gun, which limits us to lobe piercing and cartilage piercing. If you're after some of the more intricate piercings then your local tattoo parlour would be your best bet. But if you want to keep it simple with a lobe piercing then book in with us before the piercing fairy comes through your window and pierces your childrens’ ear.