Origin of tragus piercing
The tragus is the small, pointed piece of cartilage in front of your ear canal that can be pierced.
The word "tragus" comes from the Greek word for "goat," as it was once covered in a tuft of hair that resembled a goat's beard.
Tragus piercings are a popular choice and can be performed with a needle, but require proper care due to cartilage's slower healing time and lower blood supply compared to other piercings.
What is the tragus?
It is a small, pointed, cartilaginous flap of the external ear located just in front of the ear canal.
Its size and shape vary from person to person.
It helps collect sounds from behind and allows the brain to distinguish between front and rear sound sources.
Tragus piercings
Pain:
Most people describe it as a sharp pinch with some pressure, which lasts for a few seconds, followed by a few hours of soreness or throbbing, depending on pain tolerance.
Healing time:
Typically 3 to 6 months, but can take up to a year depending on aftercare and individual factors.
Aftercare:
Requires diligent aftercare because cartilage has a lower blood supply than other parts of the ear, making it more prone to infection and scarring.
Risks:
Due to the proximity of the ear canal, it can be susceptible to bacteria and requires careful cleaning. There is also a risk of rejection and scarring.
Considerations:
It is not recommended to sleep on a healing tragus piercing as it can impede healing and increase the risk of scarring.
Tragus piercings are fun
Tragus piercings are fun, versatile piercings that add a unique pop of interest to any ear.
These piercings are a perfect addition whether you have many piercings already or just your lobes, and are worth the healing process. While earbuds and headphones can pose a challenge to healing, it's only temporary, and it's so worth it for such a cool end result.
If you’ve been considering getting your tragus pierced, I say go for it!