Snug (often also referred to as Anti-Helix piercing) is a transverse piercing of the ear canal, i.e. the vertical fold of cartilage located between the shell (Conch) and the outer edge (Helix).

Anatomy in this case is to be or not to be. For the piercing to have a chance to heal, the cartilage fold must be very clearly defined, convex and relatively thin. If your dike is thick, flat or hides under the edge of the ear, making a classic Snug is impossible, and trying to do it will result in massive migration and scarring.

The needle must penetrate the cartilage through and through, passing through a hard and tight fold of tissue. For this reason, Snug is considered one of the most painful ear piercings.

Pain is most often assessed as: 6 to 7 on a 10-point scale. As with Rook, the sting is accompanied by very strong pressure and a loud "crunch". Immediately after the procedure, the ear becomes very red, hot and may pulsate for up to several days.

Earlobe healing is a relatively short and hassle-free process as long as you follow basic hygiene rules.

• Initial healing time: 6 to 8 weeks.
• Complete healing of the canal: up to 3 months.

The healing of this piercing is a real test of patience. The cartilage of the cartilage is a place of great natural tension, which causes it to react with rapid swelling to every, even the smallest, change.

• The initial stage of healing (swelling goes down): from 4 to even 8 months.
• Complete healing of the canal: from 9 to over 12 months.

The most important rules for survival with the new Snug:

1. Extreme swelling: Be prepared for your ear to swell up twice or even triple. The piercer will initially put on a very long earring, but in the case of Snug, the so-called up-sizes, i.e. visits to replace the barbell with an even longer one in the first weeks.
2. Gentle hygiene: This area is difficult to clean thoroughly. Use sterile saline and dust-free cotton swabs, without tugging at the jewelry, twice a day.
3. Total prohibition of pressure during sleep: In the case of Snug, even one night accidentally sleeping on a pierced ear can cause a rapid return of swelling and massive granulation tissue.

Get a good night's sleep and save healing!

Snug does not forgive oppression. To ensure that the regeneration process runs smoothly, we offer our own, specialized solutions donut-shaped piercing pillows. The ear safely "falls" into the hole in the center, completely relieving the cartilage.

Invest in a piercing pillow!

1. Don't touch: Avoid touching the earring with dirty hands and refrain from "spinning" it.
2. Cleanse regularly: Wash the piercing site 2-3 times a day with sterile saline solution.
3. Avoid chemicals: Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or antibiotic ointment. They may irritate the wound and delay healing.
4. Be careful with your hair and clothes: Make sure that shampoo or conditioner does not remain on the ear after bathing. Be careful when putting on sweaters!

During healing:

The gold standard is the bent barbell, i.e Banana (Curved Barbell) made of hypoallergenic material. Due to the rapid reactions of the tissue, it is crucial to use the highest quality materials without admixtures of nickel.

• Material: Surgical Titanium (Grade 23) only. At Piercing Planet, we care about the highest standards, which is why our titanium has independent laboratory certificates confirming its composition.
• Rod Thickness: 1.2 mm (or 1.6 mm for a more massive anatomy, which provides greater stability).
• Starting Length: Typically 10mm to 12mm due to the massive swelling.

Downsize: As soon as you notice that the swelling has gone down and a piece of the rod is sticking out of the ear, immediately go to the studio to have the earring shortened (usually to about 6 mm or 8 mm). A hooked, long banana will ruin the existing healing!