Hoping to step up your ear piercing game? An anti-tragus piercing might be precisely what you’re looking for! The anti-tragus is located on the lower middle part of your ear cartilage, opposite the tragus. This stylish piercing type can add flair to a person’s look as a single piercing, and it’s also commonly incorporated in ear constellations. Maybe you’re considering your first anti-tragus piercing, or perhaps you already have one. Either way, we’re here to walk you through all the most essential info.
In this guide, we will review important information about anti-tragus piercings, including their location, the healing process, compatible jewelry types, general aftercare tips, and more. Please take a look at our piercing images and descriptions to further familiarize yourself with the piercing location, and be sure to check out our piercing FAQs section to help you decide if this piercing is right for you. While we’re here to cover the basics, we always encourage talking to an experienced professional piercer for additional information.
Table of Contents
Piercing & Jewelry FAQs:
- How long do anti-tragus piercings take to heal?
- Does the anti-tragus piercing process hurt?
- How much does an anti-tragus piercing cost?
- Why shouldn’t I get an anti-tragus earring?
- How do you give yourself an ear piercing?
- How do I care for my piercing?
- How long should I wait to change my jewelry?
- What types of jewelry are recommended for an anti-tragus piercing?
- How much does anti-tragus jewelry cost?
- How do I care for my ear jewelry?
- Can I get an allergic reaction to my anti-tragus jewelry?
- Can anti-tragus piercings relieve pain?
Anti-Tragus Quick Facts
Placement
The anti-tragus piercing is located on the lower middle part of the ear cartilage, directly above the earlobe.
Healing Time
The healing process for anti-tragus piercings usually takes between six months to a year or longer depending on the person.
Pricing
It depends on the piercing studio, but anti-tragus piercings can cost between $30-$100 or more (not including jewelry).
Gauge
Ear jewelry can come in a variety of gauge sizes, but anti-tragus jewelry typically ranges from 18G-14G.
What is an Anti-Tragus Piercing?
Anti-Tragus Piercing Location:
The anti-tragus piercing is located on the lower middle part of the ear cartilage, directly above the earlobe. It sits across from the tragus piercing, which is located on the cartilage hanging over the ear canal.
Anti-tragus piercings aren’t for everyone, as some people have ear cartilage that’s too small to support the piercing. A large but thin anti-tragus is easiest to pierce successfully. Talk to a professional piercer to see if you’re a candidate to get an anti-tragus piercing.
Anti-Tragus Piercing Process:
This piercing procedure is typically performed with a hollow 16-gauge or 18-gauge piercing needle.
Anti-Tragus Piercing Healing Time:
About six months to a year.
Recommended Anti-Tragus Jewelry:
Cartilage barbells, including cartilage studs, cartilage hoops, and curved or straight barbells.
Anti-Tragus Piercing Benefits
Can anti-tragus piercings relieve pain?
Some ear cartilage piercings are said to relieve pain by stimulating nerve endings and pressure points. Learn more about the benefits of cartilage piercings by reading Surprising Benefits of Piercings.
Anti-Tragus Piercing FAQs (Pain, Aftercare, & More)
How long do anti-tragus piercings take to heal?
Cartilage piercing healing times vary based on location, as some parts of the ear cartilage are thicker than others. The anti-tragus piercing typically heals in about six months to a year.
Be sure to use premium metals (surgical steel, titanium, sterling silver, etc.) in your piercing to avoid any extra risk of infection. Always stock up on aftercare solutions to help speed up the healing process. As always, we recommend talking to a piercing professional about healing times and ear care cleaning routines before you book an appointment.
Does the anti-tragus piercing process hurt?
In short, it depends on your pain tolerance. An anti-tragus piercing is no more painful than any other cartilage piercing, but it may hurt more than a standard earlobe piercing. Talk to your doctor or a piercing professional about pain management before getting any type of body piercing. If you’re experiencing high pain levels, signs of infection, or signs of an allergic reaction after getting pierced, please contact a doctor.
How do I care for my piercing?
We recommend using H2Ocean Aftercare Spray or saline solution to clean your piercing. Clean the piercing site twice daily during the healing process to avoid infection. Once your piercing is healed, continue regular jewelry maintenance. To clean the jewelry, gently wash it with antibacterial soap and warm water every few days. For more in-depth information, we recommend speaking with your piercing professional for guidelines on piercing care and reading How to Care For Your Body Jewelry & Body Piercings.
How much does an anti-tragus piercing cost?
It’s estimated that the price of an anti-tragus piercing is between $30-$100 or more (not including jewelry). For a precise piercing price, call some of your local piercing studios.
Why shouldn’t I get an anti-tragus earring?
If you’re questioning whether you should get a cartilage earring (or any other type of body modification), we strongly suggest speaking with a professional and evaluating the pros and cons. Some important things to consider are the cost, piercing aftercare, potential risks, and jewelry maintenance. Most tattoo or piercing shops have this information handy, so there’s no excuse not to call beforehand. Take your time and make sure you’re making the best decision for your body.
Want to learn about other types of ear piercings? Check out the ultimate ear piercing guide, as well as our piercing guides on snug piercings, rook piercings, helix piercings, forward helix piercings, conch piercings, orbital piercings, daith piercings, and more.
How do you give yourself an ear piercing?
Ear piercings should always be performed by a professional to prevent injury, infection, or other complications. While you may find piercing kits online, we urge you to make a piercing appointment with an experienced professional, especially for more advanced types. Professional piercers use piercing guns and special instruments, such as dermal punches, to perform the process correctly.
How long should I wait to change my jewelry?
Think you’re ready to try out a new piece of jewelry? You need to be sure that your piercing is completely healed before making the switch. New piercings require you to use the same piece of jewelry throughout the healing process.
Anti-Tragus Piercing FAQs (Jewelry)
What types of jewelry are recommended for an anti-tragus piercing?
Generally, the most common types of anti-tragus jewelry are:
- Cartilage studs are a great everyday choice. We recommend flatback studs for an extra comfortable fit!
- Cartilage hoops are dainty little hoops that are a great option for fully healed tragus piercings.
- Curved or straight barbells are an excellent option for new tragus piercings since they are easy to clean and remove.
How much does anti-tragus jewelry cost?
Anti-tragus jewelry varies in price depending on the design and the materials it’s composed of. A piece of jewelry crafted with 316L surgical steel and cubic zirconia stone will be more affordable than a piece crafted with solid gold and diamonds. At Spencer’s, you’ll find that most of our cartilage jewelry ranges from $15-$40. Typically, our jewelry collection is composed of 316L surgical steel or titanium.
How do I care for my ear jewelry?
Practicing regular jewelry maintenance during and after the healing process is a must. To clean your jewelry, wash it with antibacterial soap and warm water. Be gentle so you don’t hurt the jewelry, but thorough so you know it’s fresh and safe to use. Do not use harsh, alcohol-based chemicals. Cleaning your jewelry is important to avoid infections. If you don’t keep up with maintenance, build-up can accumulate on your jewelry, causing it to chip and tarnish. For more tips, read How to Care for Your Body Jewelry & Body Piercings.
Can I get an allergic reaction to my anti-tragus jewelry?
Allergic reactions to certain jewelry types are a possibility. Contact a piercing professional and ensure that getting an anti-tragus piercing is right for you. Be sure to discuss types of jewelry and the jewelry material options before getting pierced. Check with a doctor beforehand to be sure of any allergies. If your piercing hurts after the first two weeks of healing, contact your doctor to ensure you aren’t experiencing an allergic reaction or an infection.
Now that you’ve read this ear piercing and jewelry guide, it’s time to go shopping! No matter what type of piercing you have, Spencer’s has all of your body jewelry needs covered!
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