My Ear Piercing

A carefully and beautifully curated ear is now the accessory du jour. And while the types and combinations of ear piercings you choose are up to you, we're here to help you make an informed decision. Keep scrolling to find out more of the hottest earring trends, from helix to tragus, and check out some of our favorite jewelry designers to inspire your next cool-girl piercing. BYRDIE General Tips for Care Before you go booking an appointment for a new ear accessory, be sure to research how your piercing needs to be properly cared for. Aftercare is what will keep your piercing looking rather than infected. Don’t twist, turn, rotate, or sleep on any of your piercings," as this can increase your risk of infection or irritation, and extend the healing process."Try not to sleep on them and clean them with saline one to two times a day." Generally speaking, you'll want to steer clear of bodies of water (baths, pools, hot tubs, etc.) for six to eight weeks after getting pierced. Also avoid "soap, peroxide, neosporin, bactine, rubbing alcohol, and other harsh chemicals" from coming into contact with your new piercing. Daith Piercing Found in a slightly awkward position—the hoop that hugs the cartilage on the inside of your ear—the daith requires a skilled piercer. It is also rumored to help alleviate migraines. As it's placed on cartilage, you'll feel a dull pressure when getting the daith pierced, about a five or six out of 10, with 10 being the maximum pain. In terms of healing time, the daith piercing takes around six to nine months on average. As with any new piercing, it is not encouraged to sleep on it until it's fully healed; however, compared to some outer-ear piercings, sleeping on a daith piercing within a couple of months is pretty common. The Helix Ear Piercing Helix piercings—piercings that are placed anywhere on the upper outer cartilage of the ear—are often the first choice when moving from the lobe. But as, this "trending flat piercing" has become even more popular now, and piercers and clients are experimenting with multiple helix piercings on one ear. "This is what we all really want, basic or not, these cartilage piercings are super cute and typically land on the edge or middle of the ear for most. This area allows for personalized placements and really unique styles. I try to encourage going beyond just the little hoop here. On a scale of pain, the helix clocks in at a four out of 10. "TBH, it will feel like fire for a moment, and then it’ll be fine. As for how long this piercing takes to heal, she adds, "Six to nine months at best. For most clients, [helix] piercings are not done being fussy until nine months to a year in." Cartilage piercings will typically get a bubble on the front or back of the piercing, but this is typically not a sign of infection. For the bubble, try a chamomile tea soak. Make the tea as if you were going to drink it, but instead, use the warm tea bag as a compress for your piercing. Tragus Piercing The tragus, that tiny flap partially covering the ear canal, can add detail to any curated ear, especially when it's adorned with a pretty stud or snug hoop. As the tragus is a cartilage piercing, you can expect the pain level to fall somewhere between a four or five out