A snug ear piercing, also known as an anti helix snug piercing, is still considered to be one of the more alternative ear piercings. This could be due to the thick piece of cartilage the piercing passes through. In this article we have gathered a range of FAQs to help give you the best snug piercing advice for before, after and during caring for your snug piercing.

What is an anti helix piercing?

An anti helix piercing, also known as a snug piercing, passes through the ear cartilage on the middle ridge of the ear. This inner ear cartilage is a more sensitive area to pierce, making it among the slightly more unusual piercings.

How long does a snug piercing take to heal?

Snug piercing healing can take between 3-6 months due to being located on the thick piece of cartilage in the inner ridge of the ear. To heal this part of the ear great care will need to be taken not to knock or put pressure on the area as this can prolong snug piercing healing time. Make sure to clean the area twice a day with a saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil in order to aid healing.

What gauge is a snug piercing?

Snug piercings will typically be pierced with a 1.2mm gauge which is a 16 gauge. Some piercers will use a 1.4mm gauge for the anti helix piercing. It is best to ask your piercer for the measurements of your snug piercing so you can make sure you get the right size when you want to change the jewellery.

Is snug piercing painful?

When asked ‘How Much will a snug piercing hurt?’ we often say it is a medium pain. Snug piercing pain varies from person to person, but most people find this piercing more painful than other cartilage piercings due to the thickness of the cartilage in this area of the ear. This can mean it will hurt for longer as the piercing procedure will take longer.

Does anti helix piercing hurt?

An anti-helix is another name for a snug piercing which is located on the thick cartilage on the middle ridge of the ear. This means it will be quite painful and may hurt more than other cartilage piercings. If you would like a less painful piercing you can opt for a faux snug piercing which looks similar but pierces through the conch and helix.

Is snug piercing dangerous?

Like with any piercing, there are some risks to having a snug piercing but it is not considered dangerous if it is correctly cared for. You may initially experience snug piercing swelling for the first week but this is normal. If you experience any significant swelling or pain after the initial swelling has calmed down then you may have a snug piercing infection in which case you should seek medical help or talk to your piercer as you may need antibiotics. This occurs in rare cases so with the correct aftercare you shouldn’t experience any problems.

Do snug piercings get infected easily?

If you follow snug aftercare you should experience little to no problems with your new snug piercing. It can be knocked or caught easily which is why we recommend getting pierced with a curved barbell as opposed to a snug ring or hoop. This will reduce the chances of the piercing getting knocked or caught which is vital during the healing time. Like all piercings, an anti helix can easily get infected without the correct aftercare so keep up a good routine and avoid touching your piercing unless absolutely necessary.

Do snug piercings reject?

Snug piercings can sometimes reject or experience something called migration. This is when the piercing moves from the original piercing site. It can involve the piercing angle changing or breaking through the skin. If you notice your snug piercing is rejecting or moving you should talk to your piercer to discuss the best course of action. Make sure to do this before the anti helix piercing breaks through the skin as this can cause permanent damage.

There are some other types of snug or anti helix piercing you can try. This already alternative piercing can be taken to the next level with a double snug piercing which is two snug piercings clustered together. If you would like a double piercing it is best to consult a piercer to make sure your ear cartilage can support multiple piercings.

If you would like a snug piercing and the ridge of year ear is not pronounced enough or you would like a slightly less painful experience then you can get a faux snug piercing which has the same look as a snug or anti-helix piercing but is pierced through the conch and anti helix instead of the thick cartilage on the ridge of the ear.

If you are ready to step up your alternative look then snug piercings are a great choice. They are slightly more unusual but will still look professional, especially if you choose high-quality jewellery. If you would like to find out more about ear piercings snug and other then be sure to check out more of our guides to start planning your ear constellation.