On this page
A tragus piercing takes six to twelve months to heal. The tragus is the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal, and earbuds and pillows can both reach it.
What the sources give
| Source | Tragus |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Clinic | Between six and 12 months for daith, rook, conch, helix and tragus |
| This site | Tragus: 24 to 40 weeks. Vertical tragus: 8 to 16 weeks |
The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) warns that a piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete. A 2005 review in American Family Physician says ear cartilage piercings are associated with poor healing and more serious infection because cartilage is avascular, meaning it has no blood supply of its own.
| Piercing | Healing | Downsize at |
|---|---|---|
| Tragus | 24 to 40 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Vertical tragus | 8 to 16 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Anti-tragus | 24 to 52 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
These are typical ranges from our guides, and the Cleveland Clinic gives one range for the group, so the differences between them are our estimates. Cartilage piercing healing time compares every placement.
The downsize
A tragus starts with a longer post than you will need, to leave room for swelling. Our guides give four to eight weeks. The APP says many piercings require a downsize before the piercing is healed, and that you should see a qualified piercer to perform downsizes or any jewelry changes during healing. Piercing downsizing explains why.
Earbuds, headphones and sleeping
The APP’s aftercare advice is to avoid friction and pressure from clothing, excessive motion of the area and playing with the jewelry. In-ear buds sit against the tragus and add pressure and friction, so ask your piercer what suits you while it heals.
For sleeping, the APP says sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation and even shift its angle. It suggests a travel pillow on top of your pillow, with the ear in the opening.
Do not change the jewelry early
The APP says to leave the initial jewelry in place for the entire healing process unless there is a problem with its size, style or material. When can I change my cartilage piercing explains how to check.
Swimming
Keep it out of pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea until it has healed. See swimming with a new piercing.
When to see a doctor
The APP says to see a doctor if you have severe redness, swelling or pain, or if symptoms last for a week or get worse. The American Family Physician review says infections can develop in the first month. Leave the jewelry in unless a doctor says otherwise. Irritated or infected piercing has a symptom table, and infected ear piercing covers the ear.
What it costs
A tragus is $30 to $35 for the service in the studio price lists we read, or $60 to $70 with starter jewelry included. See how much is a cartilage piercing.
Not medical advice
This page is educational. If a piercing is hot, has spreading redness, thick coloured discharge or red streaks, or you feel unwell, see a doctor the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tragus piercing take to heal?
Six to twelve months. The Cleveland Clinic gives that range for tragus, helix, conch, daith and rook piercings, and our guides give 24 to 40 weeks for a tragus. A vertical tragus is 8 to 16 weeks in our guides. The outside can look settled long before the piercing has healed.
When should I downsize a tragus piercing?
Our guides give four to eight weeks, once the initial swelling has gone. The APP says many piercings require a downsize before the piercing is healed, and that you should see a qualified piercer to do it.
Can I wear earbuds with a new tragus piercing?
Be careful. In-ear buds sit against the tragus, so they add pressure and friction, and the APP advises avoiding friction, pressure and excessive motion on a healing piercing. Ask your piercer what suits you.
Can I sleep on a tragus piercing?
Not while it is healing. The APP says sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation and even shift the piercing's angle, and suggests a travel pillow on top of your pillow with the ear in the opening.
Does a tragus heal faster than a helix?
Slightly, in our guides: 24 to 40 weeks against 24 to 52. The Cleveland Clinic gives one range, six to twelve months, for both, so the difference is our estimate rather than a measured one.
What if it looks infected?
The APP says to see a doctor if you have severe redness, swelling or pain, or if symptoms last for a week or get worse. A 2005 American Family Physician review says ear cartilage piercings are associated with more serious infection, and that infections can develop in the first month. Leave the jewelry in unless a doctor says otherwise.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic - Ear piercing 101: healing, hurting, cleaning and morehttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-expect-when-getting-your-ears-pierced
- Meltzer (2005) - Complications of body piercing. American Family Physicianhttps://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/1115/p2029.html
- Association of Professional Piercers - Suggested aftercare for body piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Troubleshootinghttps://safepiercing.org/troubleshooting/
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. If a piercing is hot, swollen, spreading redness, oozing yellow or green discharge, or you have a fever, see a doctor today.