Anti-Tragus Piercing
The anti-tragus sits opposite the tragus, just above the lobe, on a small ridge of cartilage that's easy to overlook until it's pierced. It's a unique placement that adds extra dimension to your ear without taking over the whole ear. Most people find it sits around a 5 out of 10 on the pain scale. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy first to confirm it's a good fit and talk you through jewellery options on the day.
- Pain level
- 5/10 (estimated)
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 13 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Curved barbell View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Two Piercings From $80
Get two of your favourite standard piercings for just $80 when pierced with selected surgical steel jewellery. Read more
Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
* Available from 13 years with parental consent, 16 years and older without. Check our ID and consent requirements here.Note: in WA you must be 18 years to get pierced without parental consent.
What Is An Anti-Tragus Piercing?
The anti-tragus is a cartilage piercing that sits on the small bump of cartilage directly opposite the tragus, right above where your lobe begins. It's one of the less common ear cartilage placements, which makes it a great option if you want a piercing that stands out from the usual lobe or helix combinations.
Because the anti-tragus is a smaller and sometimes thinner piece of cartilage, not every ear has the anatomy to support it comfortably. Our piercing specialists will always check your ear shape before going ahead, so the placement sits well and heals as it should. It's a great way to add variety if you're already exploring ear curation and styling ideas for your next addition.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
Your anti-tragus is pierced with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so every step follows a clean, considered process. You can read more about our approach on our piercing info page.
Choosing Your Jewellery
We pierce the anti-tragus with a curved or straight barbell from our dedicated anti-tragus jewellery collection, available in titanium or 14K gold depending on the look you're after.
Step By Step: Your Anti-Tragus Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist checks your anatomy to confirm the anti-tragus is a suitable placement for your ear.
- They mark the spot and get your approval on positioning before anything happens.
- The piercing is done with a single needle. You'll feel a firm pinch that settles quickly.
- Your jewellery is fitted and you're given aftercare instructions to take home.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Once you're ready to book, check our age, ID and consent requirements so you know what to bring on the day.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing a cartilage piercing takes time, and that's completely normal. Sticking to a simple routine every day makes the biggest difference.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to sterile saline and avoid touching the area unnecessarily. Browse our aftercare range or read our full post-piercing aftercare guide for the complete rundown.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily.
- Avoid swimming for 6 to 8 weeks, including pools, lakes and the ocean.
- Avoid sleeping on the piercing while it heals.
- Be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats pressing against the area.
When Can I Change My Jewellery?
Most people are ready to downsize between 6 and 8 weeks, once the initial swelling has settled, though full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Find out why downsizing matters and see how the anti-tragus compares in our guide to average healing time by piercing type.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Jewellery For Your Anti-Tragus
The right jewellery makes all the difference to how your anti-tragus heals and how it looks once settled.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce with a 16 gauge curved or straight barbell, though a 14 gauge may be used depending on your anatomy. Every starter piece comes in 316L surgical steel, pre-sterilised and ready to go.
Building Your Stack
Once healed, explore our full range of curved barbells to build out your look. Read our guide to curated ears and the latest trend for styling inspiration.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our piece on silver, rose gold or gold breaks it down, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is an anti-tragus piercing?
It's a cartilage piercing placed on the small ridge of the ear that sits directly opposite the tragus, just above the lobe. It's less common than piercings like the helix or lobe, which makes it a great choice if you want something a little different.
Does an anti-tragus piercing hurt?
Most people rate it around 5 out of 10. You'll feel a firm pinch as the needle passes through the cartilage, then it settles quickly. Everyone's pain threshold is different, so your experience might vary slightly.
How long does an anti-tragus piercing take to heal?
Full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. The surface will often feel fine sooner, but the cartilage underneath needs the full timeframe to heal properly, so stick with your saline routine the whole way through. See our guide to healing time by piercing type for more detail.
What jewellery is used for an anti-tragus piercing?
We pierce with a 16 gauge curved or straight barbell, though a 14 gauge may be used depending on your anatomy. Your piercing specialist will help you choose the right fit on the day.
When can I downsize my anti-tragus jewellery?
Most people are ready to downsize between 6 and 8 weeks, once the initial swelling has settled. Downsizing to a shorter bar helps reduce the risk of snagging and supports healthy healing.
Can I sleep on my anti-tragus piercing?
It's best to avoid sleeping directly on it while it heals, along with being mindful of headphones, helmets and hats that might press against the area. Our post-piercing aftercare guide covers this in more detail.
Can I swim after getting an anti-tragus piercing?
Avoid swimming, including pools, lakes and the ocean, for 6 to 8 weeks after your piercing to reduce the risk of infection.
What's the minimum age for an anti-tragus piercing?
You need to be at least 13 years old with parental consent, or 16 years and older without. In WA you must be 18 to get pierced without parental consent.
Build Your Ear Stack
The anti-tragus pairs beautifully with other cartilage placements for a fuller, more curated ear. Read our ear piercing placements guide for inspiration, or explore these popular combinations.
