Tragus piercings have been around for centuries, but they’re becoming increasingly common nowadays with both men and women
If you’re thinking about getting this type of lobe piercing, you should know how to remove a tragus piercing in case you change your mind later on or if you want to replace it with another type of jewelry.
Key Takeaways
- It is possible to remove a tragus piercing. However, it is not an easy task and needs some patience, especially if you are not accustomed to the process.
- If you are not able to remove tragus jewelry yourself, then ask for professional help.
- The tragus piercing needs to be completely healed before attempting to remove the earring.
- Your hands need to be clean when touching the cartilage piercing. This means that you should wash them with antibacterial soap.
What is a Tragus Piercing?
Tragus piercings are common ear piercings. The tragus is the small projection of cartilage that sits just in front of the ear canal.
What Type of Jewelry Is Used for Tragus Piercing?
The tragus piercing is usually done with a stud earring or barbell, but it can also be done with other types of jewelry.
Other people pierce with captive bead rings, which use a ball on either end of the ring to keep it from falling out of place. Many people find the captive bead ring to be very comfortable and easy to wear, but they are also easy to take out.
Make Sure That the Pierced Area Is Fully Healed
Before removing a tragus piercing, you need to make sure that it’s completely healed. If you try to remove an earring from fresh tissue, there’s a risk of damaging the hole and causing more pain than necessary.
The best way to check if your piercing is ready for removal is by inspecting the area around the piercing. If there are no signs of redness or swelling, then it should be safe for you to take out your earrings.
Why Would You Want to Remove Your Tragus Piercing?
If you’re considering removing your tragus piercing, there are a number of reasons that may motivate you. The most common reason is that it’s just not your style anymore. You may have grown tired of the look or feel of the jewelry and are ready for something new.
You Got Bored
If you have a tragus piercing and it’s been more than six months, then chances are you’ve just gotten bored with it. This is completely normal and nothing to feel bad about. As soon as you realize that you’re tired of your tragus piercing, go ahead and remove it.
You Feel Uncomfortable
If you have sensitive skin, it may take some time for the piercing site to become accustomed to having something in it so that it doesn’t bother you anymore. If after three months or so of having your tragus pierced you still find that you’re uncomfortable with its jewelry, then it might be time to consider removing it altogether.
How to Remove a Tragus Piercing?
Step 1: Gather Materials Needed
As with other ear piercings, make sure that you have everything you need before beginning the removal process. You should have:
- A pair of sterilized surgical tweezers (you can buy these at a local pharmacy)
- A clean towel or paper towel
- A bottle of rubbing alcohol
- A cotton ball or swab
Step 2: Clean Your Hands
The first thing that you need to do before starting the process of removing your tragus piercing is to clean your hands thoroughly. Use water and antiseptic soap.
Make sure your hands are free from germs or dirt before touching anything else. This will help keep any bacteria from getting into the piercing hole and causing an infection. Rinse with water and pat dry with a clean towel before handling the new jewelry.
Also clean the new jewelry if you are changing it. You can use rubbing alcohol, or other cleaning solutions to remove any dirt or germs from it.
Step 3: Pull Your Hair Back
You’ll want to make sure that you can see the jewelry clearly before beginning this procedure so pull your hair back. If you have long hair, use a hair tie to pull it back away from your face and ears.
Step 4: Remove the Tragus Jewelry
Unscrew the ball backing of the earring (if applicable) by turning it counterclockwise until it comes off. After the earring backing comes off, gently pull out your tragus stud.
If this doesn’t work, try gently twisting and pulling at different angles to loosen up any dried blood or excess crust around your piercing. Do not pull too hard or you may tear out some skin as well.
Also, do not attempt to pry out the jewelry with sharp objects such as knives or screwdrivers because this may cause damage or bleeding in your earlobe or tragus area.
Step 5: Clean the Piercing Area
After removing the piercing jewelry, you need to clean the area before inserting new jewelry. A mild soap solution is recommended for cleaning piercings. Avoid using harsh soaps or chemicals on your tragus piercing because they may irritate it.
Professional Piercers Help with Removal of Cartilage Piercings
Some people are able to remove their own tragus piercings, but if you’re not sure about your ability to do this safely, or if you don’t want to risk damaging your ear, it’s best to go see a professional piercer.
They can help you remove the jewelry safely and comfortably. You can find them at your local tattoo parlor or piercing shop.
Have Knowledge and Needed Tools for Piercings Removal
They have knowledge of piercings removal. They also have all the tools needed to remove the tragus piercing without causing any damage to the surrounding skin.
Professional piercers will also give you advice on how to avoid getting infections in the future. If you decide that you would like another piercing done, they will be able to do this for you as well.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Tragus Piercing
How to Identify and Treat an Infected Tragus Piercing?
If your piercing was performed correctly and cared for properly, it should not be infected but it can happen.
One can identify an infected tragus piercing if the piercing hole and area is red, swollen and painful.
You should visit your doctor immediately if you see these signs of infection. A few drops of antibiotic ointment from your doctor or pharmacy will usually clear up this kind of infection quickly.
What Jewelry Material Is Used for Tragus Piercing?
Tragus piercing is usually done with gold, silver, or stainless steel. The material you choose should be lightweight and comfortable so that it doesn’t cause discomfort or irritation while wearing it.
Gold
Gold is a highly-prized metal and is considered the most popular choice of jewelry material. It is durable and has many other qualities that make it a desirable material for body piercing.
One of them is being hypoallergenic hence won’t irritate your skin as some other metals might. It is also resistant to tarnishing which makes it a good choice for long-term wearing purposes.
The only drawback is the gold earrings’ expensive price tag. This makes it ideal if you are looking for something that will last a lifetime.
It can be found in many different forms like 24K gold, 18K gold, 14K gold, etc.
Silver
Silver is known for its strength and durability. It is not as expensive as gold but still considered premium quality because its hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for sensitive skin types.
It does not tarnish easily and this makes it more desirable than other materials such as silicone because it does not require frequent cleaning and maintenance as other materials do.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another great option if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to gold or silver pieces. It’s also a good option if you have sensitive skin, as it won’t irritate or cause any irritation.
Titanium
Titanium is relatively new on the scene when it comes to body piercing jewelry but it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular choices among body piercings because of its hypoallergenic properties and strength.
It is also nickel free and in fact is recommended by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP)
It’s also lighter than other metals and won’t tarnish like some other metals tend to do over time (like copper). The only downside is that it can be more expensive than other metal options.
What Is the Healing Time of a Tragus Piercing?
The average healing time for this piercing is between 2 and 3 months with others taking 6 months depending on if you do aftercare, your health, and your immune system.
If you have a healthy immune system, the piercing may heal within 2 months. However, if you have other medical conditions or take medication that lowers your immune system function, it may take longer than 2 months to heal completely.
