A tragus piercing is a type of cartilage piercing located on the small piece of cartilage that covers the ear canal. The piercing is made with a small gauge hollow piercing needle, and typical jewelry would be a small diameter captive bead ring or small gauge post style piercing jewelry. The hollow, low-gauge needle used for the piercing can be either straight or curved, depending on the piercers preference. Tragus piercings are generally not very painful, due to the small number of nerve endings in the tragus, but the sound made may be uncomfortable due to its proximity to the eardrum. Most tragus piercings will take between 3 and 6 months to heal, however, some might take up to 12 months to be fully healed. The most common types of jewelry worn in tragus piercings are barbells, captive bead rings, and flat-backed earring studs. The unique location of the tragus piercing allows the piercing to speak for itself; a simple cartilage stud with even the tiniest gemstone offers a style that’s both understated and eye-catching. However, cartilage studs are not the only option. Some opt for a sleek seamless hoop, and others go bolder with a captive bead ring or other stunning hoop options. It is important to clean the piercing twice a day with a saline-based solution and avoid pressure on the area by not sleeping on the side until it heals.