Snug Piercings: Everything You Need to Know about this Trendy Ear Piercing

Our team is always keeping an eye out for the latest ear piercing trends in Toronto & Vancouver. Sometimes a trend is something brand new or a reimagination of existing piercings. But other times, it’s the resurgence of an old trend. And we’re happy to say, the snug is back. Overall, cartilage ear piercings have seen a rise in their popularity this past year. But the snug piercing has come back in a big way. In part, the return may be attributed to a slight decrease in nipple, lip, and dermal piercings. But another cause is the impact of the curated ear trend. The snug is the perfect accent for many multiple ear piercing projects.

 

What is a Snug Piercing?

The snug piercing is a cartilage ear piercing that is also known as the anti-helix piercing. This piercing passes through the anti-helix or antihelical fold (the ridge between the inner and outer ear). The exact placement varies depending on the shape of your ear.

How is Placement Determined?

A snug is usually a horizontal or slightly angled piercing. In large part, this is determined by the shape of your ear. Professional piercers aim to perform the piercing so that there is minimal pressure that can cause cartilage damage. The shape of the ear can also determine whether or not a high snug piercing is a suitable option. There needs to be enough space for the top ball of the jewellery to sit without causing undue pressure on the rest of the piercing. You can take a look at pictures online to get an idea of which ear shapes get what snug placement. But really, you can’t be sure about what placement is best for you until you visit a piercing artist.

Does a Snug Piercing Hurt?

There’s no such thing as a pain-free piercing, and it’s hard to quantify piercing pain since it varies from person to person. A snug is not the most painful piercing, but it is more painful than a fleshier area like a lobe or navel piercing. The anti-helix is a sensitive part of the ear, and the cartilage is a little thicker here. So the pain is higher than some of the other cartilage piercings. Fortunately, the worst of it is over quickly. Still, you certainly want to make sure your piercer uses a needle instead of a gun. Not only is the needle safer, but it is less painful than the gun. Piercing guns have blunt tips that are painful and potentially damaging when they attempt to pierce the thick cartilage here. Taking efforts to prepare for your ear piercing will help you minimize and manage the pain.

Importance of Going to a Professional Piercing Artist for a Snug

We always recommend going to a professional piercing artist. The experts give you a safer piercing with the right placement and the right look. But a snug is one of the most difficult piercings, so using a professional is especially important. An expert piercer helps find the ideal placement to minimize the risks of cartilage damage or rejection. As well, they can help you prepare for the piercing aftercare process. A snug can take anywhere from six months to over a year. While we believe that time is totally worth it for this cool piercing, it’s long enough that you want to be sure to get it right. The right aftercare plan will decrease the overall healing time, as well as protecting you against infection. A snug is a piercing you want to keep an eye on throughout healing. So it’s good to have a piercing artist you know is familiar with the piercing and what to expect throughout the healing process. At Chronic Ink Tattoo, our expert piercers are available for any questions or concerns throughout your healing process. If you’re planning on a snug, or any other piercing, contact us today!