Anti-Tragus Piercing: Jewellery & Guide

An anti tragus piercing is considered among one of the more uncommon ear piercings which may be due to its unusual location. The location means that not everyone can have this piercing so if you are on the lookout for something rare to add to your ear piercing collection then make sure to find out more about the anti tragus and whether your ear is a suitable shape for this piercing.

Where is the anti tragus?

The anti tragus anatomy on humans is easy to spot. The antitragus is just above the earlobe. It is the nub of cartilage opposite to the tragus and is often triangular in shape. This ridge or fold in the ear will vary in size for each person.

Is anti tragus piercing painful?

Some say the anti tragus pain they felt was more intense than other cartilage piercings due to its location and the thickness of the cartilage. It can also feel slightly more painful because the area can take a little longer to pierce due to the thickness of the cartilage. However, if you have had previous cartilage piercings then there’s no reason that you won’t be able to handle the anti tragus piercing experience like a pro. So in answer to does an anti tragus piercing hurt? All piercings will hurt to some degree and this one does hurt a little more than other ear piercings.

How long does it take for an anti tragus piercing to heal?

The anti tragus piercing can take between 3 – 6 months to fully heal. The initial swelling should reduce after a few weeks. Don’t worry if your piercing swells or becomes more bruised than other cartilage piercings. Due to the thickness of the cartilage for the antitragus it can take longer to heal. We would recommend waiting a year to change your piercing jewellery and remember to always ask the advice of your piercer. It is important to maintain regular aftercare in order to help the healing process.

Can you wear headphones with an anti tragus piercing?

Before getting an antitragus piercing it is important to note the effects it may have on wearing headphones or earbuds. The location of the piercing means that both types of earphones can be uncomfortable and should definitely be avoided during the healing process. You will probably find on-ear headphones the most comfortable style compared to earbuds which tend to press against the back of the piercing. Make sure to regularly clean your headphones to ensure your piercing stays free from infection. The smaller the stud in your piercing, the easier it will be to comfortably wear headphones.

How to take out an anti tragus piercing?

There are a variety of jewellery types that can be worn in an anti tragus piercing. However many of them feature a threaded element which can simply be unscrewed in order to remove the piercing jewellery. If the piercing thread is stuck you may need to use a pair of jewellery pliers to unscrew the jewellery. Only do this if you are confident and experienced. Make sure the pliers are specialist and have been sanitised. If you would like help with changing or removing your anti tragus piercing, please visit one of our piercing studios.

Why is my anti tragus bruised?

It can be worrying to see anti tragus piercing bruising after you have had your new piercing but be assured that this is completely normal. Due to the thickness of the cartilage for this piercing, you may notice this area produces a darker or larger bruise than other cartilage piercings. Keep an eye on the bruise and it should reduce within a few days but don’t worry if it takes up to a week or two to disappear. Anti tragus swelling may also occur and again this is completely normal and should calm down within a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on your piercing jewellery to ensure there is enough length to allow your piercing to swell. Your piercer will have taken this into account when performing your antitragus and is likely to have used a longer barbell.

What makes you a good candidate for the antitragus piercing?

The anti tragus piercing is placed on a small part of thick cartilage just above the earlobe which means there will be variations between different people. The area needs to be large enough to support a piercing. It may be possible to use micro jewellery in the piercing however unfortunately for some people the area is just too small. Do not despair if you had your heart set on the antitragus. There is an alternative if the anti tragus is too small. The upper lobe piercing looks similar to the antitragus and could save you a lot of hassle. This area is faster to heal and won’t hurt quite a much to have pierced either. A small area is not the only reason for not being able to have an antitragus piercing. Other piercings can get in the way, in particular, if you have stretched lobes you may not be able to have anti tragus.

What is an anti tragus piercing good for?

Anti tragus piercing benefits are unknown and many piercing benefits are purely anecdotal. The tragus piercing is believed to be helpful for weight loss in some cases but there is no scientific evidence to support this. In many cases, it is thought ear piercing benefits can be linked back to acupuncture and the points used in this to alleviate pressure or target reflex points. The anti tragus’ main purpose is for adding flair and creativity to your piercing collection as this is one of the more unusual ear piercings.

What is a double anti tragus piercing?

The double anti tragus piercing consists of two studs or rings placed side by side on the anti tragus. This piercing can be tricky to do since the area is small. This means that you may not be able to have a double anti tragus if the area is not large enough. If you talk to your piercer they will be able to advise on the best type of piercing for you based on the proportions and shape of your ear.

The Antitragus is for the braver piercing fan but is still on a level with many other ear piercings. With ear piercings becoming more common people are often on the hunt for something eye-catching to add to their ear constellation. An anti tragus piercing is sure to be a fun way to switch up your look. If you are looking to take this piercing to the next level you can even add a large BCR to connect your tragus and anti tragus.

Looking for general piercing FAQs? Head to our guides for even more information and tips.

Anti Tragus Piercing Procedure

Looking for somewhere to get your anti tragus pierced? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the anti tragus piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. Please note that the anti tragus piercing cannot be performed on everyone. If the cartilage on your ear is too small or you already have other piercings close by such as a stretched earlobe, you may not be able to have an anti tragus. Don’t worry – if your cartilage is too small you can opt for an upper lobe piercing which looks similar to the anti tragus. In a Blue Banana studio, the anti tragus piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required) or 13 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the anti tragus piercing location.

The piercer typically uses a sterilised gauge needle and passes it through the anti tragus cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. This area is thicker than other ear piercing sites so may take a little longer than piercings such as the helix. The piercing spot is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

Anti Tragus Aftercare Advice

An anti tragus piercing can take 3-9 months to fully heal due to the piercing passing through the cartilage of the ear. The healing time varies from person to person and will need high quality aftercare to ensure speedy healing.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. For example, make sure not to sleep on the side with the new piercing. Other steps that can be taken to aid with healing include tying back long hair, not wearing earphones or other ear coverings, and avoiding contact with any kind of cosmetics including fake tan and hair products.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain top hygiene when caring for your new piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your anti tragus piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Clean your anti tragus piercing twice a day with a salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool. Unlike some other cartilage piercings, the anti tragus is in an easy area to clean.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is first rate, it is also advisable to avoid using soap on your new piercing so be sure to take extra care while washing your ears and removing ear wax.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Anti Tragus Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to anti tragus piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Anti Tragus Piercing Hoop
Anti Tragus Ring
Anti Tragus Piercing Jewellery

We tend to recommend choosing piercing jewellery such as a curved barbell for the first year of having your anti tragus piercing as this is much less likely to become caught or get knocked against anything, therefore helping your piercing to heal. Once your piercing is fully healed there are plenty of ring and hoop options to try out, including BCRs, circular barbell, seamless rings. Remember to always follow the advice of your piercer when it comes to changing your jewellery.

Our curved titanium barbells are available in a range of colours so you are sure to have plenty of choice. If you are looking to add some sparkle to your piercing jewellery then make sure to check out our jewelled barbells, also available in a range of colours. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you need to consider:

Jewellery Size – everyone’s ears are different sizes, so make sure to pick anti tragus jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you pick something with a diameter or gauge that is too wide it may not have such a comfortable fit. Often anti tragus piercings are fitted with micro jewellery which is smaller than usual cartilage piercing jewellery due to the size of the ridge that is being piercing. This also makes activities such as wearing headphones more comfortable.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Diameter/Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Diameter – the width across the widest point of the jewellery for hoops and rings.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose jewellery with a wider diameter or length. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the guidance from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.