What’s Involved in Getting a Snug Piercing? All the Details

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Are you looking for an interesting way to accessorize your ears? A snug piercing might be the bold addition you’ve been looking for. With their subtle yet eye-catching placement, snug piercings are a great way to add individuality to your look. 

But you should know a few things before getting a snug piercing. In this guide, we’ll discuss what it takes to get a snug piercing and provide important aftercare tips. 


What is the snug piercing?

Snug piercing - What's Involved in Getting a Snug Piercing? All The Details

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The snug piercing is an ear piercing that sits horizontally on the thick cartilage between the ear hole and rim (positioned above the anti-tragus and below the rook piercing). The snug piercing goes through the cartilage, with both ends visible at the front.

Is snug the same as conch?

snug ear piercing
Snug Piercing

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conch piercing
Conch Piercing

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Sometimes, it may be hard to differentiate between the snug piercing and the conch piercing because they sit on parts of the ear that are close. However, they’re different. A snug piercing sits on the ridge close to the ear rim, while the conch piercing sits in the middle of the ear close to the ear canal. 

What’s the faux snug piercing?

The faux snug piercing is a “fake” snug piercing formed by a conch and outer helix piercing. It’s a combination of two different piercings but gives an illusion of a single snug piercing. 


Getting a snug piercing 

Now, let’s dig deeper and see what’s involved in getting a snug piercing. 

Can everyone get a snug piercing?

Sadly, not everyone can get a snug piercing. If your anatomy doesn’t support it, your piercer won’t do it. A professional piercer will check your ear to confirm if you can get one.

💡 Take Note: To get a snug piercing, your anti-helix (the cartilage where a snug piercing sits) must be thick enough to support piercing jewelry. 

How old do you have to be to get your snug pierced? 

You must be at least 16 years old to get a snug piercing. Most piercing studios require that you come with a copy of your ID. 

How painful is a snug piercing?

To be honest, snug piercings are very painful. Many people with multiple ear piercings rate their snug piercing as the most painful (between a 7 and 9 out of 10 on the pain scale). So it’s not for the faint-hearted. 

But if you love a challenge, the snug piercing is a great choice. You can proudly show it off, and you’re guaranteed to stand out (because, let’s face it, only a few people are brave enough to get a snug piercing).  

Opt for the faux snug piercing if you have a low pain tolerance. It’s not as painful as a snug piercing and looks just as great.  

Is a snug pierced with a hoop?

No, it’s not recommended to pierce a snug with a hoop. A curved barbell is best for the initial piercing because it allows the piercing to “breathe” as it heals, unlike a hoop that wraps around it. You can wear a hoop in your snug piercing after it heals completely.

How much does a snug piercing cost?

A snug piercing costs between $35-$70. The exact price depends majorly on the piercing studio you use. We recommend visiting a professional and experienced piercer, even if it costs more. Your choice of piercing jewelry also affects how much you’ll spend. 


Snug piercing healing and aftercare

Healed snug piercing

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Getting your snug piercing is one thing; aftercare is where you need to pay attention.  How do you care for a new snug piercing, and how long do you need to pamper it? We’re discussing all you need to know here. 

Why are snug piercings so hard to heal? 

Snug piercings are hard to heal because they go through thick cartilage; cartilage piercings heal slower than flesh piercings. A snug piercing will take about six months to one year to heal (some have had a snug piercing that didn’t heal until after two years). 

However, the initial redness and swelling should disappear in a month or less. If your snug piercing stays swollen and red for over a month, you could be dealing with an infected piercing.

💡 Take Note: If your piercing is still swollen and painful for over a month, go back to your piercer or visit a medical professional.  

What to avoid while your snug piercing heals

As your snug piercing heals, you must avoid:

  • Touching it
  • Sleeping on it
  • Wearing headphones
  • Swimming pools and bathtubs
  • Cleaning it before washing your hands with soap and water 

Tips for helping your snug piercing heal

Here are some specifics for caring for a new snug piercing:

  • Keep your snug piercing clean. Soak it in saline solution twice daily. 
  • Always wash your hands before cleaning your piercing. 
  • Keep clothing and hair away from the piercing to prevent snagging. 
  • Sleep on a clean pillowcase daily to prevent infection from bacteria. 
  • Keep harsh chemicals like makeup, shampoos, and perfume away from your piercing. 

How to hide a snug piercing 

If you need to hide your snug piercing temporarily, you can place a skin-colored bandage on the piercing site. Alternatively, you can replace your jewelry with a small, skin-colored retainer. One last option is to apply makeup on the piercing site. Of course, you should only use these tips on a healed piercing. 

How to take out a snug piercing

You should leave your snug piercing in until it heals completely. When it’s time to remove it, start by carefully unscrewing the ball on the curved barbell. Once the ball is off, pull out the barbell from the other end. Then, slot in the replacement jewelry immediately. 

💡 Take Note: It’s advisable to visit your piercer when taking out your snug piercing for the first time. They’ll determine whether it’s completely healed.


Snug piercing jewelry

These pieces of jewelry work well for a snug piercing.

Curved barbell

Ruifan 4prs(8pcs) Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry Curved Barbell with Ball Kit Eyebrow Tragus Lip Ring 16g 16 Gauge 6mm/8mm/10mm/12mm(Steel)

A curved barbell is best for a snug piercing because it allows the piercing to “breathe” as it heals. Snug piercings swell a lot while recovering, and a curved barbell leaves enough room for the swelling. The balls at both ends of a curved barbell look great on snug piercings.


Captive bead ring

Forbidden Body Jewelry Surgical Steel Captive Bead Ring Piercing Hoops, Pair of 12g 11mm (5mm Balls)

Captive bead rings are circular pieces with a small bead that closes the ring. They’re great because they accentuate the tiny snug piercing and add beauty. However, captive bead rings are best for healed snug piercings, not new ones. 


Straight barbell

Kiokioa 12pc 14G Mix-color Stainless Steel Straight Barbell Tongue Rings Bars Piercing 5/8" Length

Straight barbells are uncommon for snug piercings but could work with the correct anatomy (thick snug cartilage). Straight barbells look similar to curved barbells, but they don’t bend to align with the piercing shape like curved barbells. 


Frequently asked questions

Here are a few more things to know about snug piercings.

Is snug the most painful piercing?

The snug piercing is one of the most painful ear piercings; it has a pain level of 9 out of 10. But some piercings are more painful, like the nipple and industrial ear piercings.

Can you wear headphones with a snug piercing?

A snug piercing is close to the ear canal, so you shouldn’t wear headphones until it heals completely. 

What is the difference between snug and faux snug?

A snug piercing goes through the cartilage, while a faux snug piercing is two different piercings at each end of the cartilage. A faux snug piercing is created to look like a snug piercing but with a lower pain level.

Does a snug piercing ever heal?

Yes, it does. It may take a while (about a year) because a snug piercing is a cartilage piercing, but it will heal eventually. 


A piercing for the bold and strong

The snug piercing is not for everyone – only those with the correct anatomy and high pain tolerance can give it a shot. If you fit into both categories, good for you. Get your snug piercing with pride, attend to it with care, and you’ll have a cool piercing to show off for years. 

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