“The one that helps with migraines. The one in the ear! What is it?”
1. The “Migraine” Piercing
The Daith. Some pronounce it ‘day-th’, some say ‘daw-th’. Tomato Tom-aw-to I suppose. As the inter-web puts it, “It is the ears innermost cartilage fold, the crus of the helix.”
Let’s throw-down a little history low-down while we’re here. This piercing was first performed by Erik Dakota and named “da’at”, which in Hebrew means knowledge.
This name, brought to us under the presumption that one must have been very smart to figure out how to perform such a thing. (Blessed. Am doin a intelligent.) Enter Fakir Musafar. God of modern day Body Piercing (may he rest in peace). Fakir valiantly and with talent- paved the way to shape the body modification industry and culture we know and love today.
Though he wasn’t the first to tackle this one, he did aid it in being well known and performed. Daith piercings are considered an advanced technique piercing. Not everyone has the appropriate anatomy to actually have this piercing. These things considered, you should certainly do your research on what professional piercer to visit prior to jumping on board (given that should be done prior to all piercings). Now, buckle up for the answer you’ve been reading for.
There is absolutely no verified or supported medical studies or proof that Daith piercings actually help relieve migraine pain/symptoms. Sure, it’s said there is a pressure point in the Daith known to be used in acupuncture/acupressure. It is said to hit an area near the vagus nerve.
As a professional piercer, I have performed countless Daith piercings. So does it work? Honestly, more clients than not have told me that it did make a positive difference, sometimes significantly. Alas, some have told me it didn’t help at all. I’ve also had people tell me they heard Tragus piercings help control appetite and aid in weight loss.
This however is probably something you should consider not paying as much mind to. Is it a placebo effect? The sugar pill of piercings? Maybe. My advice to anyone considering trying this piercing (after informing them of all these things) is generally.. why not? If it helps you feel better, great! If it doesn’t change your symptoms- you have a new piercing.
On the upside, there are so many incredibly beautiful and unique jewelry options for Daith piercings! 
Sea Dawne
Senior Professional Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
First off- No, it's not infected. It. Is not. Infected.
2. Piercing Pimples
It’s just upsetti-spaghetti, ok?
That bump you see around the piercing area… that is an irritation abscess, more commonly known as a piercing pimple. What. Fun.
Yes, I know it does not feel good. Nor does it look good. It’s probably red, swollen, crusty, sore. There’s discharge. The bump might be getting worse/bigger. It might be throbby. Sometimes, it looks and feels… pretty wild.
Fear not. It is temporary. Fixable. Treatable. Get-rid-of-able; and actually, very common.
Especially in cartilage piercings. It is not infected.
It is often mistaken for infection as it can carry a few similar symptoms as stated above such as swelling, discharge, redness, soreness, etc. It can appear differently in varying degrees of severity from person to person. Maybe it is very red, maybe it’s lighter in color, maybe it looks like an actual pimple/pustule.
Essentially what is happening is something is making it angry. Piercing pimples are most commonly caused by…
– Trauma to the piercing (catching it/bumping it on things, sleeping on it)
– Excess swelling (you might need some extra room on that post)
– Touching it too much (stop touching/moving your piercing aside from cleaning it)
– Improper aftercare
– Soaps, cleansers, make up and creams
– Cheaper jewelry styles (surgical steel, sterling silver, and any type of plated jewelry as these don’t usually vibe well with sensitive skin)
Now, it’s not always easy to determine exactly which of these points is causing the issue, as it may be one specifically, or a few of them combined. Given this, its best to tackle all the possibilities to ensure success.
You should ensure you are wearing Ti-6AL-4V-ELI ASTM F136 implant grade Titanium metal, or a solid nickel free gold above 14K. Nothing else, and no plating. If you are not, the first thing to do is change your jewelry to one of the high-quality metals listed above.
If you are wearing a hoop, take it out. You need to be wearing a stud, sister. One that has extra room for swelling- or this will continue to be angry. Hoops and healing/irritated piercings are FAR from friends. Hoops are commonly a direct cause of piercing pimples/irritation among many other issues.
The next step after ensuring you are wearing the right jewelry, is warm Sea Salt soaks and taking Ibuprofen orally for a few days (always read the instructions on the bottle, you should not deviate from these)!
Aftercare is very important. You MUST follow the instructions given to you by your piercer (you can contact us for instructions as well if you are unsure). Cleaning your piercing with the wrong products and in the wrong way (or not enough) WILL cause numerous issues to arise. Also, do not sleep on your piercing!
For Sea Salt soaks..
Dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (.75 to 1.42 grams) of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt (no other form of salt is acceptable) into one cup (8 oz / 250 ml) of warm distilled or bottled water, not tap water! A stronger mixture is not better as a solution that is too hypertonic (strong) can irritate the piercing. Use a clean cup or shot glass, whichever is easiest for you, and completely submerge the piercing/area in the solution. Soak the area for roughly 5 minutes. Dry the area with a Q-Tip or cotton pad. Do not leave your piercing wet. This should be done twice per day for 10-14 days.
This is your starting point. If this combination of things does not work, there are other options available to try. Make sure you keep in touch with your Piercer. When in doubt, pay them a visit in person. It is always much easier for us to help you and evaluate the situation when we can look at it.
In conclusion, it is not infected. It’s irritated.
** You should never go against the advice given to you by trained and licensed medical professionals. The above information is only a guideline based on years of professional experience in the body piercing industry.**
– Sea Dawne
Senior Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
3. Pregnancy and Piercings
First off ladies, your body is a temple. It is so super totally yours! You rock yourself in whatever you way you see fit- #powermoves. The only time in your life that this statement does not hold true, is when we’re pregnant. As beautiful (and equally stressful; didn’t know what constipation was? Now you do.) as it is, our body is not entirely ours anymore.
There’s a little you in there. Growing, moving, being (nailed it). Yes, little you is protected in that tummy in MAJOR ways (we are amazing safe houses), but everything we put into our bodies, it makes its way there. That’s the reason we’re not supposed to drink alcohol, or smoke, or drink pop (maybe that’s a wives tale). Our bodies are theirs too.
So how does body piercing affect your little you? What will become of your piercings? Should you take them out? Why won’t anyone pierce me while I’m pregnant, or breastfeeding? It’s just a little hole, right? Well..
1. The biggest risk in being pierced while pregnant/breastfeeding, is infection. That’s a fresh stab wound (its pretty, but lets be real). Most piercings take 6 months to 1 year to fully heal. Should you contract an infection at any point, for whatever reason- that could affect your baby in a *very* negative way. Not worth it!
2. Baby Mama your immune system is in OVERDRIVE. You’re cooking a HUMAN. We’re not growing a cabbage here. Your body has SO much to do! It is not in ideal shape to focus on healing a piercing. It’s very likely that your body will simply reject it as the foreign object it is (we ain’t got time for that).
3. Now, because your body is in protection mode.. it is very common for perilously healed/existing piercings to get a little upsetti-spaghetti. Regardless of how old they are. You are welcome to take them out, yes they may heal over. Typically, with a little extra care, they will eventually be ok. Sometimes- they reject too. If you are unsure, visit a Professional Piercer for a quick assessment.
4. During delivery, your doctor may recommend you remove your piercings in case of emergency. Try to be prepared for this. Genital piercings? Yes- those should be removed. For.. obvious reasons. #notacabbage.
5. No, nipple piercings will not affect your ability to breastfeed. They most certainly need to be removed prior to breastfeeding, as they are a significant choking hazard for little you. So don’t fret, pierced nipples = still totally milk functional.
6. Navel piercings. Yes, there are safe navel rings you can wear, ‘pregnancy navel bars’. These are essentially a safe, biocompatible bendy plastic. They grow with you. The reality is there is a very high chance your belly piercing will simply never sit where it did before. Skin stretches, anatomy changes. It’s part of the journey. Also, you’ll have a toddler sitting on your hip faster than you think- risky for belly rings. Advice? Just take it out. Re-evaluate the piercing and its placement post-baby phase.
Here are a few guidelines to follow:
Rule #1- if any piercer, at any time says “Yes, we’ll pierce you.”, while they are fully aware you are pregnant OR breastfeeding; sweet angel mom-to-be, high tail it out of that shop and don’t look back. #checkyanever
Rule #2- always consult honestly with your Doctor about the piercings you have, and what they believe is safe for you during pregnancy and delivery. Doctors know best! #blessthemsouls
Rule #3- Mama, be patient. It’s only a year or so. There’s forever in front of you! Piercings can wait. Foot rubs however.. that can be right now. Like RIGHT now. (You’re pregnant, milk it while it lasts!)
Most importantly, above all else, ALWAYS consult with your doctor. About everything, all the time (they’re like, the bees knees)! This advice should NOT be taken over that of a trained medical professional. It is just an opinion, based on years of experience in the Body Piercing Industry. We’re just here to guide you, you know? Doctors, they’re the real MVP’s. Share this post so other women can be informed!
Sea Dawne
Senior Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
4. What to know before you get pierced
This fact can be a little nerve racking. The unknown. However, it’s also normal to be wary of the unknown, and to be fearful of the unknown. What will it feel like? Can I compare it to something? How fast is it? Can I do it? Will I be ok?
Well here we are with a few answers, and helpful tips in hopes of providing you with a better understanding, of what to expect when you get pierced.. and how to make the procedure more comfortable.
The two common Q’s:
Q: Can I have this piercing?
A: The majority of people don’t know that most piercings are highly anatomy based. Everyone’s bodies are incredibly different (which is a beautiful thing, you’re a superstar baby). It is much more common than you think when we must advise someone against a piercing they want. In some cases, due to anatomy, we even have to flat out say no (we will always try to help you find an alternative that you will also love). Anatomy is the first thing we evaluate prior to performing a piercing. We will then tell you if it’s safe or advise against it if it is not safe (improper anatomy, high risk of rejection, etc.). There are many reasons for this, all of which vary from person to person. Don’t worry, we’ll ensure you are informed of the “whys”. If we see it will be safe for you, we then move into helping you choose jewelry that will best suit your anatomy in terms of optimal healing and comfort. Each piercing is very different and comes with varying options and restrictions!
Q: Will it hurt, how much?
A: We are poking you, so yes. It will hurt. On the bright side, 8 times out of 10, it does not hurt as much as you think it will. Most procedures are very quick, and the actual piercing (where the peak of pain comes from) is generally only a couple seconds. With a deep breath in, and a deep breath out, the worst of it is done. As stated above, everyone’s bodies are very different. Each person is unique. What hurts for one person, may not hurt at all for another.
The tips:
1. You are going to feel nervous. You are human, and this is totally normal. Be sure to remind yourself that you will be ok. It’s fast, and not as bad as you think. Working yourself up generally does not help. It triggers anxiety, and fear, making things worse than they actually are. The best thing to do is help yourself understand that it is fast, over quickly, and not as bad as you’re imagining it to be. Talk yourself down, don’t work yourself up! Plus, we’re here to take care of you.
2. Moral support is encouraged. Bring someone with you that makes you feel safe. Someone grounding and calm. Being with someone close to you can bring a sense of comfort. Alternatively, bringing someone with you that is hyper, eccentric, and generally not calm or grounded can induce a more negative experience.
3. Eat a *LIGHT* meal or snack 30-60 minutesprior to your appointment- preferably something salty. You should also drink a quart of a sports drink, as these tend to have some salt, sugar, and other substances that will keep the liquid in your bloodstream longer. This will help you avoid feeling faint!
4. Post piercing, you may feel nauseous, faint, dizzy, or all of the above. This is a *very* common reaction to adrenaline/anxiety/nervousness. Though it doesn’t feel good, it does pass, so don’t worry. That feeling doesn’t last forever! Typically, you feel like yourself again within about 10-15 minutes! Again, we’re here for you.
In conclusion, there are a lot of feelings that come with a procedure like this. Yes, there may be feelings that aren’t amazing (nervousness, anxiety), but there are a lot of great emotions as well! Excitement, thrill, happiness… and memories. We only live once (and you’re totally going to live through this to tell the tale) so take a deep breath, swear if you need to (we don’t judge), and then take a look in the mirror. New sparkle, new love, new you. Who dis?!
5. Why We Tell You “no”
OK. It sucks to hear, right? “No, you can’t have this.” “No, you can’t do this.” Especially when you really want something! The heart wants what the heart wants, baby.
Alas, you beautiful human, when WE tell you “No”, it’s strictly to protect you. It is always in the best interest, health, and safety of your body. So don’t unfriend us, OK? We care about you!
Let’s get into the why of the “No”, ya’ dig?
Honey, we would love to take your money. The sad part is, there are people/piercers out there who will. Even when they know full well, you do not have the proper anatomy to have the piercing you want. Oh yes, they’ll just yee-haw jewelry in there and wish you a good day!
Do you know what that means? It means there is a HUGE risk your body will reject the piercing. Rejection is your body defending itself. Fighting to rid itself of a foreign object that it has recognized as something that is NOT supposed to be there. That is literally, the purpose of your immune system.
You know when you get a sliver, and you leave it there for a couple weeks because it’s too deep, and your body pushes it out by creating swelling, redness, puss/discharge, pain, etc?
THAT, is rejection. On a smaller scale. Not pretty, and it hurts.
Now rejection of a piercing is MUCH worse. It happens over a longer period of time. It comes and goes. This is because the foreign object (jewelry) is bigger and harder to get rid of. It takes a longer, more effort.
Your body begins to periodically attack it. If left in too long, this causes swelling, sometimes severe pain and discomfort, puss, discharge, redness, and in most cases (not all)… significant, permanent, scarring.
Let’s hear that again. Significant, permanent, scarring.
Not only are you out all the money you paid for it, you must take the jewelry out which means the complete loss of the piercing, and you will also have scars forever (plus the pain that came with getting to this point).
All it takes is your anatomy being slightly off. A little too flat, a little too curved, a little too thin, etc.
***A GOOD PIERCER WILL TELL YOU NO***
A good Piercer will evaluate anatomy. They will be honest. A good piercer will advise you on whether or not it is safe for you to continue with the piercing you want. If not, they will educate you on why they believe it isn’t safe, and what your personal risks may be. They will help you find safe alternatives, which ultimately may mean a totally different piercing. They will not just take your money.
A good, trustworthy Piercer… will tell you no, and give you a reason.
We have been doing this for years. We have spent countless hours, days, and years of our lives studying and dedicating ourselves to being educated. We are trained industry professionals. It is our duty to look after you. We are also human beings, and it is our duty to care for you, and about you.
We will not do something we KNOW is not safe for you. Something we know will possibly cause you unnecessary pain, trauma, scarring, the list goes on.
It may be a no to the piercing, but it is a yes to you, your health, and the wellbeing of your body. We want the absolute best for you, and nothing less! So lets stay friends, OK?
Sea Dawne
Senior Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
6. How does anatomy affect a piercing?
DO I HAVE THE ANATOMY FOR A __________ PIERCING?
OOh anatomy. So vastly different between every single person. It is a beautiful thing really. It is a part of what makes us unique. It sets us apart from one another. A small dip in the ocean of who we are.
In terms of Body Piercing, anatomy can pose as a bit of a tricky obstacle to work with. We are already going to be trying to heal a foreign object in our body (jewelry), never mind the area’s shape working against it! One curve that’s slightly too sharp, tissue that is slightly too thin or thick, or a little too flat… and BOOM. Your body screams thank you, NEXT. Here we dive into a few popular piercings that are (unknown to most) HIGHLY anatomy based.
1. NAVEL PIERCINGS
HIGHLY anatomy based. It is common that people cannot have an upper (top/most common placement) Navel piercing at all. Lower navel piercings (bottom) are even worse and in most cases cannot be performed as a regular navel piercing. Lower navel piercings are more often performed as surface piercings.
Now a lot of people believe that weight/tummy size is the defining factor of a navel piercings success. Nay Nay, I say. It is not the shape of the body that defines this, but rather very specifically the navel area itself. For a navel piercing to be viable and successful, there needs to be a proper degree of definition to the upper “flap” (ridge). What a weird word (flap), I know… but hey, it is a thing. There also needs to be adequate room in the navel hole to put jewelry in it. AKA- it needs free space.
If anatomy is squishing, pushing, resting on, rubbing, or interfering with the jewelry sitting properly/straight in any way, this often leads to rejection or very poor healing (if it ever does).
This goes for clothes and everything else as well so do not be wearing tight things, catching it, bumping it, touching it (aside from cleaning ) or irritating it during healing even if you do have a proper anatomy!
Main questions: Is the hole shallow? Is it narrow? Is it flat (not much of a hole)? Is your upper ridge/flap un-defined? Do you have an outtie? Is the hole very small? Does the upper part of your navel overlap/rest on top of the bottom?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is safe to say you may not be able to have a traditional navel piercing. Now that being said, sometimes it is just a matter of using specific jewelry styles that suit your anatomy. You may not have the IDEAL anatomy for a traditional navel piercing, but sometimes there are other options! Alas, the answer may be just plain no. (See our other article “Why we tell you no”). Your piercer will be able to guide you on this- so please heed their advice! If you have a Navel piercing done without proper anatomy/jewelry… you will likely end up with permanent scarring and disfigurement! YIKES.
Here is a small visual guide to safe and unsafe anatomy for traditional navel piercings.
**REMEMBER** It is always best to visit a Professional Piercer in person so that they may properly and adequately evaluate your specific anatomy to ensure accurate advice.
2. INDUSTRIAL PIERCINGS
HIGHLY anatomy based. It is common that people cannot have this piercing.
The viability and success of an Industrial Piercing relies heavily on two factors:
A. The definition of the outer fold of the upper ear cartilage.
B. The curvature (or lack thereof) of the inner cartilage (often referred to as either scapha or upper conch).
If you do not have a defined curve/fold at the top AND bottom of where the Industrial Piercing should be… it is likely you cannot hold a traditional Industrial Piercing. Tissue being pierced cannot be altered in any way. It cannot be pulled, pushed, or twisted to CREATE proper anatomy. It needs to be pierced while resting in its absolute natural position. If not, it will lead to rejection, migration, and potentially significant scarring or permanent disfiguration.
If the inner part of your ear under where the long part of the bar sits, curves outward (pushes on the bar or would touch the bar) it is likely you cannot have a traditional Industrial Piercing. Having the bar constantly sitting against/rubbing the tissue and cartilage can cause significant irritation and discomfort. In some cases, the bar will, over time, cut into the cartilage/ear warranting immediate removal. AKA- very painful, permanent scarring, total loss of piercing. YIKES.
Now all this being said, depending on your anatomy, there may be other options for you that will provide the “look” of an Industrial while not actually being a traditional Industrial (search “floating industrial piercing” or “faux industrial piercing” on Google or Instagram!).
Below are a few visual guides to the above-mentioned points.
**REMEMBER** It is always best to visit a Professional Piercer in person so that they may properly and adequately evaluate your specific anatomy to ensure accurate advice.
3. NIPPLE PIERCINGS
HIGHLY anatomy based. Now, someone NOT being able to have these piercings is not unbelievably common. However, it is MUCH more common than most people assume.
Let me also state for the record, your breasts and nipples are different from every other pair of breasts and nipples on this planet. Every single person in the world is different. NO ONE, has the same anatomy. This is COMPLETELY normal. YOU are beautiful and unique and that is OK.
Do not forget this fact. Or I will yell it at you.
No, I will not yell at you. But I will repetitively and with no shame remind you that you are gorgeous, unique, cherished, and perfect in your own way.
The tissue of a nipple is very delicate and sensitive. For some people they can be tricky and difficult to heal because of this. Even when a person has the perfect nipple anatomy to hold a piercing, the body may not accept it and instead will either migrate the jewelry (push it out) or simply just never heal. This is not overly common, so don’t fret. However, because of their natural sensitivity they do need tender loving, gentle, consistent care for 6-12 months… or they may get very upsetti-spaghetti.
For a nipple piercing to be viable and successful, the nipple itself (not the areola) cannot be flat. It must protrude outward to a certain degree in order to be properly pierced. It does not necessarily matter how small the nipple is, but mostly to what degree it protrudes.
**INVERTED NIPPLES**
Inverted nipples are always a case-to-case scenario. Sometimes they can be pierced, sometimes they cannot. This will require a consultation with a Professional Piercer. As most inverted nipples do protrude when coerced to do so, some can still be quite flat. Whether or not they can be pierced depends on the level of inversion, and shape of the nipple.
**REMEMBER** It is always best to visit a Professional Piercer in person so that they may properly and adequately evaluate your specific anatomy to ensure accurate advice.
Sea Dawne
Senior Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
7. Downsizing Jewelry and Sleeping on Piercings
The first is a must, the second is a huge NO-NO. So here we go-go.
Yee-Haw. You just got a new piercing! They say pain therapy is a thing, I just love being bedazzled honestly! Don’t tell me piercings aren’t fun to have. They may not be fun to get, but when they are healed it is fun to switch things up! Go bold, go dainty. Whatever you’re feeling! It’s self expression.
However the next few months to a year (depending on what you got) will be about focusing on the CARE of your piercing.
Part of that care… is DOWNSIZING YOUR JEWELRY, and NOT SLEEPING ON YOUR PIERCING.
Here’s the 411…
1. DOWNSIZING YOUR JEWELRY
You probably heard (baby I sure hope you were listening) your piercer mention that you can “downsize” your jewelry after X amount of time. NOT to change it before X amount of time. Etc.
Now all piercings are started with initial jewelry that is longer than needed to allow for SWELLING room. Do not tell me you will not swell. It is a natural response in all human bodies. You just may not swell enough that you notice it. You will swell. That swelling can occur off and on for the duration of the healing period. You got your helix pierced 5 months ago, it’s been fine, but its now swollen and acting up? NORMAL. It needs some extra TLC to make it happy again. Until a piercing is fully healed… they can get angry. Every piercing has a different healing period, and every piercing needs to have the initial jewelry downsized. This means shortening the post you started with to one that is better fitting and usually shorter. This may happen **a number of times periodically** depending on what piercing you have and how your body heals. Let’s also not forget that everyone heals at different paces, and you should ALWAYS check in with your piercer to ensure it is READY to be downsized. On the flip side… if it gets angry/swells again during healing… you may actually need to go BACK UP to the longer post you were started with (for a while). Its an ebb and flow. It’s a process. It takes time.
“What happens if I don’t downsize?”
I am glad you asked.
There is a significant chance your piercing will HEAL CROOKED AND ON AN ANGLE.
** We usually cannot fix this. **
If this happens, it could lead to the total LOSS of the piercing. Rejection. Migration. Constant irritation bumps/piercing pimples. Excess scar tissue builds up. Yay!
When the swelling decreases, the initial post becomes too long. This creates a greater chance that it becomes tilted, doesn’t sit straight, sits angled for pro-longed periods of time, moves too much, catches on things causing trauma to the piercing, etc.
Ergo: crooked, angled, often unfixable, unable to be saved piercing. Cool. Just what you wanted.
This is why you MUST downsize (or upsize) your jewelry with the help of your piercer when your piercer advises you to do so! It is very important and crucial to the success and longevity of your piercing. IT IS ALL A PART OF THE PIERCING PROCESS.
2. SLEEPING ON YOUR HEALING PIERCING
Big, no-no. Sleeping on your healing piercing, especially ear piercings, can cause it to heal angled and crooked. The pressure from laying on it causes the jewelry to become tilted, and VERY irritated. This will do all of what not downsizing your piercing will do. It’s the same thing. It leads to migration, crooked, angled piercings, and sometimes the total loss of the piercing. DO NOT SLEEP ON HEALING PIERCINGS. If it becomes crooked, we may not be able to save it. Opt for sleeping on the other side or purchasing a travel neck pillow. The hole design in the travel pillow is perfect! It allows you to sleep on your side while not actually laying on your ear.
Another piercing that can be affected by sleep is a NAVEL PIERCING. Are you a side sleeper? Nay nay. Constantly sleeping on one side pushes your stomach in an unnatural position and often leads to the migration of navel piercings (it does not sit straight anymore). Once this happens, we cannot straighten it. Sleep on your back or prop yourself up to create a more straight position where your stomach isn’t being pushed more to one side than the other!
Moral of the story…
Want your piercing to heal happily, with less issues, and STRAIGHT?
Piercings NEED to be downsized (or up sized) accordingly at the discretion of your Piercer.
You should NEVER sleep on a healing piercing.
Lets keep those piercings perfect!
Sea Dawne
Senior Body Piercer
Luar Body Piercing
