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EAR CARTILAGE

Helix (upper ear) piercings are often performed with a piercing gun. Cartilage piercings performed with guns are often problematic. Often the piercing is not perpendicular to the tissue because the gun will not fit around the curl of the upper ear. Piercing studs are very dull in comparison to piercing needles and cause more tissue damage, literally tearing a hole through the tissue.

Cartilage piercings involve several layers of different types of tissue that heal at different rates and by different processes. Cartilage piercings are usually performed using a needle one size larger than the that of the jewelry to be worn (e.g. 18 gauge jewelry, 16 gauge needle) to allow room for the new tissue to form around the inside of the piercing.

Cartilage piercings have a greater tendency than other piercings to scar because of the nature of the tissue involved. Placing the piercing as perpendicular to the tissue as possible will reduce the mechanical stress that contributes to scarring. Scarring, as well as migration and rejection, can also result if the wearer sleeps on his/her piercings or if the ring is too small in diameter. A ring which is too small in diameter will constrict the piercing and the entrances of the piercing will migrate to conform to the tight curvature of the ring.

Cartilage piercings resist stretching. Stretching a reluctant piercing will contribute to scarring.