What Is A Snug Piercing? Understanding the Anti-Helix
It is only in recent times that the popularity of snug piercings has grown, making it one of the most sought-after cartilage piercings. You might wonder what does it have that makes it so different from other piercings – it is easy to go designs and minimal yet stylish look. Beginning from the antihelix of the ear, it comes down to the adjacent joint of the ear. The style factor here is the unique piercing pattern going through the inner cartilage and the outer cartilage. In the middle of both the cartilages lies the piercing area, and gives the scope to ample earpiece designs. For someone, who prefers to look stylish without doing much effort, a snug piercing is a go-to option. It does not only much cooler but holds onto a lot of uniqueness as well.
Specifically, the snug piercing goes through the area called the anti-helix. This is a vertical ridge of ear cartilage located between the inner conch and the outer rim of your ear. Because this piece of cartilage needs to be prominent enough to support the jewelry, not everyone has the suitable anatomy for a snug piercing. A professional piercer will assess your ear anatomy first before you get this piercing.
Pros And Cons Of Snug Piercing
Pros-
- To your wonder, this is one kind of piercing that hurts the least. The healing mechanism of it is faster in comparison with other piercing forms. Proper aftercare is essential so that it can last long.
- The frenulum is a set of tissues and refrains from higher blood vessels. Hence, you are about to experience lesser bleeding after the procedure.
- You can either opt for a prominent piercing or the one that can be unseen.
- Many fashionable jewelry alternatives are also accessible in the market, similar to those used in specialized cartilage piercings like the orbital piercing.
Cons-
- Several risks can also occur if at all you did not take proper care during the healing process. There are chances that the piercing studs may lead to some skin allergy or irritations. It is dependent on the sensitivity of one’s skin.
- To get frenulum piercing done, just to check whether the frenulum tissue can hold the jewelry. If you have a very thin layer, it is better to chuck the idea.
- Some people also came up with the issue of swelling in the tongue or redness.
- Some people get permanently comfortable with this form of piercing while others are done within a few months or years of proper piercing aftercare.
The Snug Piercing Procedure Explained
The snug piercing procedure is very different from other piercings that you come across too often, and once you know the procedure, you can get to know the drill.
- Cleaning – The procedure begins with the cleaning of the anti-helix area to disinfect it from any microbes.
- Marking – Once the area is cleaned, the piercing artist will be marking the area with a marker, which is going to get pierced.
- Insertion – Once the area to be pierced has been marked, it is now time for the professional piercer to insert the sterilized needle. It will approximately take a second. The chosen jewelry will be then put into the area.
- Fixation – The fixing part comes as the most crucial step in the procedure, and your piercer needs to be too gentle while fixing it on the surface of the ear cartilage.
- Instructions – Just getting done with the fixation of the piercing is not enough, and you need to take the aftercare advice as well in order to maintain the piercing.
How Much Does A Snug Piercing Cost?
Let’s face it – snug piercings are not costly! Most people have a misconception that snug piercings are costly but if you end up going to a great piercing artist, then it wouldn’t cost too much. Many artists tend to overcharge the individuals because of the fancy name it has but nothing of that sort exists. In other cases, the scenario becomes different, and the artists only tend to charge more due to great quality.
Some piercing parlors tend to focus a lot on the fact to provide quality products for every type of piercing, including painful piercings like the helix. While doing so, they end up charging a bit more than what is usually charged. If you are someone who is too skeptical about the choice and quality of the piercing instruments and is too concerned about the hygiene, then paying something more would not really affect you. If seen through, it would cost something between £25 to £30.
Snug Piercing Pain Level: Is It a Painful Piercing?
The question might sound quite absurd to you but it is actually a very important question to put your eyes on. As you know, every piercing hurts no matter where you get them done. Compared to the standard ear piercings, the snug piercings hurt a little bit more. The snug piercing is done by passing a needle through a thick and strong piece of cartilage, and thus it tends to hurt more when the needle is passed through. For this reason, it is often considered one of the most painful cartilage piercings. So, be prepared to tolerate some pain. In fact, in some cases, there can be traces of blood and swelling as well and can cause infections too. Though it is quite normal to have such experiences if the redness persists, it is advised to go to the doctor and get some ointments prescribed.
The Healing Process: What to Expect While Your Snug Piercing Heals
If you cannot keep the patience, it is better to avoid snug piercings. The healing process of such a piercing can take from a period of three months to six months, depending on the anatomy of your ear. In fact, it might take a long time if you have not taken care of it in the process. Therefore, always make sure that you take some tips from your artist before you leave the parlor that would help you to heal sooner. However, do not worry if you didn’t do so because we are going to give you some useful tips that would help your piercing to heal. So, now scroll down and check them out from the below, including tips on snug piercings 101.
- Once it is pierced, it is important to keep the curved barbell into the piercing. Such an element is required and must be kept inside the piercing as it remains caught in a spot, and does not move often like a ring. During the healing period, it is important to keep something that does not move often. The lesser it will move, the faster will it heal.
- Avoid touching the pierced area too often. There could be harmful bacteria present in your fingers and nails and touching the area might lead to the infection. If you have to touch it while cleaning the area, make sure you are washing your hands clean, and using the sterilized instruments.
- Never rotate or touch the jewelry unnecessarily. This is an old myth and it actually damages the healing tissue and introduces bacteria, which can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.
- Do not try to change the earpiece by yourself after getting a new piercing. The earpiece that has already been fixed by the professional piercer does not need to be changed, especially in the healing period. If you are willing to do so, then consult the piercing artist, and get it done from there.
- Avoid tangy foods as much as you can during the healing period. Tangy foods usually lead to more redness and swelling especially when the piercing is too fresh.
- It is recommended to stay a bit concerned while you have newly got the piercing. Especially when you are going to sleep, be sure about your posture, and ensure that you are not hurting your tragus piercing.
- Make sure that you follow the aftercare routine that has been given to you by the artist, and clean your piercing regularly to ensure proper healing.
Snug Piercing Aftercare: How to Clean Your New Piercing
Aftercare tips are the most important thing that you must keep in mind in order to keep your snug piercing healthy and safe. You need to be cautious and follow the aftercare tips for at least three to six months from the date of piercing strictly. Once you do so, you will start seeing the benefits much earlier.
- While cleaning the snug pierced area, make sure that you have prepared a salt solution or purchased a sterile saline spray and have put it into a spray bottle; this is everything you need to know for proper care. While cleaning the particular area, you can spray the solution on the entrance and exit points and wipe it gently.
- Be sure about the materials that you are using to clean the pierced area. It is important to use a thick tissue or non-alcoholic swab stick to clean around the piercing. Using such materials will make sure that the area does not get infected after getting a snug piercing.
- Be gentle while you are applying the solution to your pierced area, and do not exert much force in the area. If you apply force, the blood might come out, making it worse. When you apply it gently, the solution gets soaked right into the spot and absorbs the mixture.
- Take your time, and repeat the same for at least two times a day. If any discharge is coming out of the pierced area, then take your time to wipe it, and remove the extra disposal from the surface area. However, make sure that you do not end up cleaning it more than two times a day.
Snug Piercing Risks and How to Avoid Them
No matter what type of piercing you get done, each of them comes with a bit of a risk, so it’s essential to choose a skilled piercer. Some of them are:
- The risk of infection is always there as the instruments used in the procedure might not be sterilized.
- Migration of the piercing is a common issue if your antihelix end up tends to shift to another ear location. The most significant risk with a snug piercing is rejection due to anatomy. If you don’t have the right anatomy—specifically, a well-defined anti-helix ridge—your body may push the jewelry out. It is crucial that a skilled piercer assesses your ear to see if you are able to accommodate this piercing.
- The ear space or the type of jewelry you use may often pose to be a huge problem as well. Most have smaller side space beside the cartilage, which cannot accommodate earrings, especially in the case of a cartilage piercing. Using improper starter jewelry can also lead to complications.
Snug Piercing Inspiration Gallery
Conclusion
Lastly, to sum it up all, piercings aren’t easy to get but piercings are stylish as well – it is important to enjoy and celebrate it! If you take a close look, every beautiful thing comes with a certain amount of pain, and piercings are no different than that. So, don’t get disappointed, and afraid of the technical stuff; instead, get the piercing done to show it off to your friends, especially if you’re considering a helix, septril, or conch piercing!
FAQs
Q: What is a snug piercing?
A: A snug piercing is located on the outer cartilage of the ear, specifically the ridge that runs along the inner part of the ear, just above the anti-tragus. This unique placement offers a distinct look and can enhance the overall aesthetic of your ear.
Q: How painful is a snug piercing compared to other piercings?
A: Since this piercing is performed on cartilage, it is considered one of the more painful cartilage piercings. Many individuals describe the sensation as a sharp pinch that can linger for a moment, but pain tolerance varies from person to person.
Q: How long does it take for a snug piercing to heal?
A: A snug piercing takes several months to heal, typically ranging from 6 to 12 months. During this time, it’s important to take good care of your piercing to avoid complications.
Q: What jewelry options are available for snug piercings?
A: When it comes to snug piercing jewelry, there are various options to choose from, including hoops, barbells, and stud earrings. It’s essential to select high-quality jewelry made from materials like titanium or surgical steel to support a snug piercing during the healing period.
Q: Can I change my snug piercing jewelry before it’s fully healed?
A: It is advisable to wait until your snug piercing is fully healed before changing the jewelry. Changing it too soon can irritate your piercing and lead to infections or other complications.
