Who else has gone through a piercing phase at least once in their life? I know I have! If you’re like me, you’ve probably watched every ear-piercing video on YouTube and saved countless pictures to your phone, envisioning how your next piercing will look. From a dainty nose stud to a chic auricle piercing, the options are endless!
One piercing that’s slowly rising in popularity is the daith piercing. Eye-catching, yet somewhat intimidating (I mean, look at what’s being pierced), more and more people are running to get this done because of its unique appeal and rumored ability to treat migraines.
Whether the Daith piercing has always been a fascination of yours or is entirely new to you, we’ve got the 411 to help you decide if you should make this piercing your latest addition!
Umm, what’s a daith piercing?
The daith piercing is an ear piercing that passes through the fold of cartilage located directly above the ear canal (you know, the spot right above your AirPods). This fashionable piercing makes a bold statement and can be adorned with a variety of jewelry, like captive bead rings, curved barbells, seamless rings, or horseshoes.
It’s cute, sis! But it looks painful…
When it comes to piercings, the amount of pain depends on the location of the piercing and the individual’s pain tolerance. Unlike the soft tissue that makes up the earlobes, the daith piercing goes through a considerably thick piece of cartilage, likely resulting in more pain.
Since this piercing is so intricate, choosing a skilled piercer is a must. Professionals will make sure to use the right kind of needle and technique and ease you through every step, ensuring that the procedure goes smoothly.
Looking up licensed piercers and reading their reviews are necessary measures to take to find a reputable piercer. The APP, Association of Professional Piercers, is a helpful resource for finding licensed piercers near you.
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How long does it take to heal?
On average, the daith piercing takes anywhere from three months to a year to fully heal, but many factors affect the healing process.
1. Your body’s natural healing rate: Each person is different, and one body’s response and healing rate are completely unique to another. So while your bestie’s new piercing healed in only four months, yours may take longer (which is totally fine).
2. Proper and consistent cleaning: Regularly following your piercer’s cleaning instructions is essential for aiding your piercing’s healing. Most piercers insist that you clean your new piercing at least twice a day with either a cleaning solution they may give you or a cotton swab soaked in a warm saline solution or mildly soapy water.
- The APP suggests a saline solution of 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in one cup of warm distilled or bottled water.
3. Changing your jewelry prematurely: That new heart ring is super cute, but hold on just a little bit longer. Switching out your Daith earrings before the piercing has completely healed reopens the wound and reverses the healing that has already taken place. The open wound is also susceptible to infection as bacteria from your hands or the jewelry may enter it.
4. Pressure and touching: Any sort of repeated movement or friction on the piercing can cause irritation, swelling, or infection, delaying the healing process.
Can I still use my earbuds?
For music lovers, this piercing may seem like you’ll have to compromise listening to your favorite songs since it’s so close to where your earbud lies. Rest assured, you’re still able to wear earbuds with this piercing!
Once the piercing is fully healed, it’s easy to maneuver your jewelry around to fit your earbud in. However, it’s not recommended to use them while the piercing is still healing, as the added pressure can prolong the process.
Does Daith Piercing help with migraines?
The idea that the Daith piercing alleviates migraines stems from acupuncture, a healing technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners trigger specific points on the body by inserting thin needles through the skin, which end up treating various conditions like low-back pain, osteoarthritis, and migraines.
Once this fold of cartilage is pierced, it’s believed that the needle hits a branch of the vagus nerve, a nerve that travels from the brain down to multiple organs throughout the body. In turn, the constant pressure and stimulation of that point that the earring provides reduce the rate and intensity of migraines.
Numerous accounts from daith piercing holders have reported a reduced occurrence of migraines, with one woman having gone from experiencing four to five migraines a week to only six in the entire year afterward.
Despite this, there are no studies or research to prove that it’s an effective treatment, making the claims anecdotal evidence. Some researchers even suggest that the claims are a placebo effect.
To Pierce or Not to Pierce
If you’re interested in giving your ear a certain flair, the daith piercing will exceed your expectations! Guaranteed to bring style and attention to your ear, getting this piercing is worthy of a shot, especially for those who suffer from migraines.
While the claims that the daith piercing for migraines has healing powers may be purely based on personal accounts, the testimonials from real-life migraine sufferers provide enough insight into the possibility. Worst case scenario and the piercing doesn’t cure your migraines, there’s no doubt you’ll be left with an ultra-stylish piercing afterward!