If you’re thinking of getting a daith piercing, either you’re looking for a solution to your migraines (because you’ve heard it could cure them), or it suits your unconventional style. Whatever the reason, you’re in the right place. This guide shares details about the daith piercing, including the piercing process, healing and aftercare tips, and jewelry options to consider.
💡 Fun Fact: Did you know “daith” rhymes with “goth”?
What is a daith piercing?
Daith piercings are cartilage ear piercings that pass through the ear’s innermost cartilage fold. They are an edgy and fantastic upgrade to your style.
What are the benefits of a daith piercing?
Though there are several claims that daith piercings can cure migraines, there is little scientific evidence to prove it. However, some people experience a significant reduction in the severity of their migraines. Still, whether there’s a genuine connection or a placebo effect is unclear.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to try. And from a purely aesthetic standpoint, that can’t hurt. Daith piercings are cute and can augment your unique style.
What are the cons of a daith piercing?
As with any piercing, there are risks involved. The needle breaks the skin and leaves an open wound for several months. During the healing period, you might experience some discomfort; in the worst-case scenario, you could get an infection. However, with proper aftercare, your piercing would most likely heal without incident.
Getting a daith piercing
We’ll always advise you to patronize a reputable piercer when getting a piercing. You can research the best piercers in your area or check for piercers certified by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Being calm, well-rested, and sober before getting the piercing is also ideal. Alcohol can thin the blood, consequently increasing bleeding.
Is a daith piercing very painful?
The opinions on the pain level of daith piercings vary. Some people rank it at a 5 on a pain scale of 1 to 10, while others rank it closer to 10. The pain differs based on individual pain tolerance and the piercer’s technique. Regardless, daith piercings go through cartilage and cartilage piercings are often rather painful.
How much does a daith piercing cost?
Daith piercings cost between $30 and $100. The price differs depending on your location, the piercer’s experience, and the jewelry cost.
Do daith piercings bleed a lot?
All piercings bleed, so some bleeding is expected with daith piercings. But the outcome differs for everyone. Some people bleed a lot for the first few days, while others bleed a little. You can reduce the risk of excessive bleeding by avoiding alcohol at least 24 hours before getting the piercing.
What gauge is a daith piercing?
Most piercers use a 14 or 16-gauge needle for daith piercings. In rare cases, some piercers might opt to go smaller (18 gauge) or bigger (12 gauge).
Healing and aftercare
Daith piercings take quite a while to heal fully. While the piercing heals, it’s necessary to pay attention to suggested aftercare to prevent it from getting infected.
How long do daith piercings take to heal?
Daith piercings typically take between 6 and 12 months to heal. Lifestyle choices, attention to aftercare procedures, and age can significantly influence the healing time frame.
During the healing process, it’s expected to experience itching and redness. But if there’s pus or unpleasant swelling, the piercing might be infected, and you must contact your piercer.
How long can you not sleep on a daith piercing?
Sleeping on your new daith piercing can place a lot of pressure on it, leading to discomfort or even pain. Instead, we recommend lying on your back or the other side while your piercing heals. You can try sleeping on it after the first few months, but stop if you still have pain.
Can I change my daith piercing after a month?
No. Changing your daith piercing before it heals can irritate the area and lead to infection. However, if your current piercing jewelry is causing an allergic reaction, you can carefully change it. But note that the piercing might itch for a couple of days afterwards as it acclimatizes to the new jewelry.
💡 Take Note: If you need to change your new daith piercing due to an allergic reaction, we advise you to visit your piercer instead of doing it yourself.
How to remove a daith piercing hoop
Taking a hoop or captive bead ring from a daith piercing can be tricky. But we’ve got you covered with steps to ease the process.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching the piercing.
- Sanitize necessary tools (small pliers or ring-opening tool) with an alcohol solution.
- Soak a cotton ball in a warm saline solution and apply it to the area to help soften up any buildup and make it easier for the jewelry to slide out.
- Carefully pull the ring apart with small pliers or remove the bead from the ring. Hold on to the bead so you don’t lose it.
- Carefully extract the ring, ensuring you don’t injure your ear. If the ring feels stuck, don’t try to force it out. Instead, reach out to your piercer for help.
How to care for a daith piercing
Like all piercings, daith piercings can develop infections with improper care. This section covers all your aftercare needs to help with smooth healing.
Wash your hands before cleaning
An easy way for infections to enter your piercing is through dirty hands. So ensure to wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning your daith.
Clean with saline solution
Due to their position, you may find it challenging to clean daith piercings properly. First, make a saline solution at home using a teaspoon of salt in two cups of boiled water. Then, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply it to the piercing.
Avoid changing out the piercing early
As we mentioned earlier, your piercing should be healed before you attempt to switch the jewelry out. To reduce the likelihood of an allergy that may force you to change your jewelry, choose jewelry made of hypoallergenic metals like yellow gold, titanium, and niobium.
Avoid bacteria-prone sources
Public baths, saunas, and swimming pools are bacteria-prone, making them sources of infections. Therefore, it’s best to avoid them until the piercing has fully healed.
Daith piercing jewelry
Here are some great examples of jewelry for daith piercings.
Circular barbell
Circular barbells are curved metal bars shaped like incomplete circles with balls on the ends. The balls on the ends can be plain or have decorations like gemstones or other shapes. They are also easy to put on and take off.
Captive bead ring (CBR)
A captive bead ring is a circular piece of metal with a ball or bead in the middle, which holds the ring in place. You insert the ring through the piercing and then attach the bead, which the ring holds in place.
Seamless ring
Seamless rings are simple rings which, as the name implies, are seamless. People favor them because they don’t easily snag on clothing or hair. To put them on, twist the ends apart, slide one end into the piercing hole, and then twist the ends together.
Clicker ring
People love clicker rings because they are easy to wear and take off. They are a type of ring with a hinge that clicks in place. You can also find them in multiple designs, from simple to elaborate.
Frequently asked questions
This section answers any further questions you might have about daith piercings.
Is a daith or tragus better for migraines?
Because there’s little scientific evidence linking these piercings to migraine cures, we can’t say which works better. While some individuals have experienced migraine relief from both piercings, others haven’t been so lucky. But it doesn’t hurt to try.
Can you still wear earphones with a daith piercing?
Yes, you can, but not while the piercing is healing, as it might cause discomfort. Wait until the piercing heals substantially before wearing headphones.
Do daith piercings reject easily?
Daith piercings are prone to rejection, especially when pierced shallow. You may notice some redness and peeling, and the skin holding the jewelry is thinner than before.
You may also see that your jewelry has painlessly fallen out. Factors like genetics, stress, aftercare, and jewelry weight can influence how quickly it rejects.
What piercings look best with daith?
Your personal style will determine the piercings you match with your daith. Several different combinations look amazing.
One of our favorites is the combination of a single or double helix, a lobe piercing, and a daith piercing. You can also choose to replace the helix with a tragus piercing. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Which ear do you get a daith piercing for migraines?
Little evidence supports one ear or the other for curing your migraine. So, you can pierce any or both ears.
💡 Take Note: Avoid getting daith piercings on both ears at the same time so you can sleep on one side while the other ear heals to avoid irritation and infections.
Add some edge to your ears
Though daith piercings aren’t a surefire cure for headaches, they’re gorgeous. Loop a ring of choice through the piercing and pair it with your lobe and helix piercings for stunning results. Remember to wait until the piercing is healed to remove your jewelry and use hypoallergenic rings in a style you love.
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