General Piercings
It is to be noted that all piercings done through cartilage must be done with larger gauge needles than the gauge of the jewellery to follow. It is also helpful to twist the needle to remove the cartilage to reduce pressure from the cartilage on the jewellery. The use of a dermal punch to remove the cartilage for larger gauge piercings is recommended. Healing time for ear cartilage piercings can be anything from 6 to 12 months depending on aftercare.
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LOBES
This is a piercing through the tissue of the Earlobe. Standardly done with Labret bars. Healing time is anything from 1 to 2 months depending on aftercare.
HELIX
A cartilage piercing along the upper and outer rim of the ear. Jewellery worn can be anything from Barbells to Rings to Spirals.
CONCH
This can either be the Inner Conch which is a cartilage piercing in the concave area of the ear cartilage adjacent to the ear canal. It can also be the Outer Conch. A cartilage piercing on the flat upper ear cartilage, above the Inner Conch and below the Helix.
DAITH
This is a piercing anywhere along the outer rim cartilage closest to the head that continues to form the horizontal piece of cartilage above the ear canal. Done with a Ring, Circular Barbell or Curved Barbell.
ROOK
This piercing passes through the cartilage of the Anti-Helix of the ear between the Helix and the Inner Conch. Done with a Curved Barbell.
TRAGUS
This is a piercing through the Tragus, which is a piece of cartilage immediately in front of the Ear Canal. Done with a Labret Barbell.
ANTITRAGUS
This is a piercing through the Anti-Tragus, which is a piece of cartilage opposite the Tragus and Ear Canal. Done with a Curved Barbell.
SCAPHA
The scapha, also known as the Tash Rook or flat piercing, is located on the upper flat part of cartilage near the helix.
NOSTRIL
This is piercing done anywhere through the Nostril cartilage. Initially jewellery for these piercing are Rings or Labret bars. Healing is anything from 2 to 3 months with a labret bar, and 4 to 5months with a ring depending on aftercare. It is advisable to get it done with a labret bar for fast healing.
BRIDGE
This piercing is done in the region of the upper nose, above the Nasal Bone and below the Eyebrow Ridge. Usually done horizontally with a straight or slightly curved barbell. The number of bridge piercings that can be done is determined by the amount of space available and forward planning. A vertical placement is possible for this piercing; however, it falls under a Surface Piercing as it is done using a Surface Bar. Healing time for this piercing is anything from 2 to 4 months depending on aftercare.
SEPTUM
A true septum piercing goes through the cartilage and the cartilage must be removed either by twisting the needle as it goes through or using a biopsy punch. However, the best placement goes between the septum cartilage and the front nasal cartilages, which is less painful and invasive. Depending on the gauge at which the piercing is done anything from Rings, Barbells, Tubes, Tunnels and Plugs can be worn. Healing time is anything from 3 to 6 months depending on method and aftercare.
EYEBROW
These piercings are among the safest and easiest to heal. It is done vertically through the Eyebrow with Curved barbells. This piercing can also be done with a Surface Bar and in this case alleviate a lot of pressure caused by Barbells. Healing time is anything from 2 to 3 months depending on aftercare.
NAVEL
This is a very common piercing among females; however a few males have opted for it. It is a piercing done through the “lip” or rim of the Navel and is highly dependent on the region’s anatomy. If done correctly the piercing will heal without complications. If done incorrectly the piercing is prone to migration. Standardly done with Curved Barbells. If one has a Navel that protrudes instead of sinks, the rare but True Navel Piercing can be performed, however it carries risks of infection tracking into the bowel. Healing time is anything from 3 to 6 months depending on aftercare.
NIPPLES
This is a piercing that standardly runs horizontally between the Nipple and the Areola. The piercing can be done vertically and some even opt for both horizontal and vertical, called a Nipple Cross. Done with Barbells, Nipple piercings have proved to be a safe inexpensive way to push forward inverted Nipples. Nipple piercings are also the only other piercings apart from genital piercings known to increase sensitivity in the Nipples. Healing time is anything from 3 to 6 months depending on aftercare.
SURFACE PIERCING
These are piercings that are done on relatively flat surfaces of the body. The piercing runs beneath the complete skin layer and exits at right angles to the bar below the skin, because of this a “U-shaped” Barbell is used or in recent years the more successful “Flat Surface Bar”. The success of this type of piercing is heavily dependent on various factors such as movement, correct piercing procedure, pressure from internal and external sources and of course aftercare. These piercings have a high rejection rate if they become unhappy and healing time is anything from 3 – 6 months depending on aftercare.
INDUSTRIAL
This is the name given to a piercing structure that has one piece of jewellery passing through 2 or more piercings. These structures often require custom-made jewellery. These piercings are also not confined to the Ear as many other regions on the body can accommodate an Industrial structure. The individual piercings are often done separately and healed, before the jewellery is custom made and fitted.