5 Things to Know Before Getting A Daith Piercing

Since the rise and popularity of piercing culture, one piercing in particular has caught everyone’s eye: the daith piercing. Pronounced “doth,” the daith piercing is located in the ear, sitting snuggly in a fold of cartilage above your tragus. Because of its peek-a-boo nature, it’s a great candidate for unique daith piercing jewelry shapes, sizes, and colors.

Due to its location, there are many things about the daith piercing that one should know before committing. It boasts a subtle, yet edgy, look, so it’s definitely worth taking care of so you can have a beautiful piercing for years to come.

In this blog, we’ll cover the 5 things you need to know before getting your daith pierced—the process, the aftercare, the jewelry, and more.

The Initial Piercing

When you show up to the appointment, you’ll find that a daith piercing is similar to others in that there aren’t many options for your starter jewelry. Typically, your piercer will choose a regular 16G, ⅜” curved barbell. Since the piercing area is so small, this type of jewelry gives it plenty of room for healing, but also for draining and discharge—two very normal occurrences in the healing process.

However, a captive bead ring is also an option for your starter jewelry. As long as it’s sized correctly (typically 16G, 5/16”), this jewelry also provides the flexibility needed for a smooth healing process.

Regardless of the jewelry shape, be sure that the jewelry is made of high-quality material, such as titanium or stainless steel. And when all else fails, have a chat with your piercing professional about which option is the best for you!

Daith Piercing Aftercare

So, you got the piercing. What comes next is undoubtedly the most important step in the piercing process: the aftercare. Your daith aftercare ritual will directly affect your piercing’s healing process, which is why it’s so important. If proper care isn’t taken, you can end up with an infection that could lead to removing the jewelry altogether.

The daith is like any other piercing when it comes to aftercare. Avoid antibiotic creams, alcohol, soap, and hydrogen peroxide altogether, as they’re too harsh for a fresh piercing. It’s also important to avoid using cotton swabs or cotton balls when cleaning the piercing because fibers can get left behind and cause irritation, or worse, infection.

The best cleaning method is using a saline spray. Products like NeilMed Piercing Aftercare and H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray are great because they are sterile products. The spray nozzle makes it easy to reach piercings that fit snuggly in a smaller area, like daith piercings. If you don’t have access to those, make your way to the first aid section of your local pharmacy and pick up some saline wound wash. With the spray or wash, thoroughly soak the piercing and blot the area gently with a clean paper towel.

The next best thing is to soak a paper towel in a saline mixture and hold it to your piercing for 30 seconds. Be sure not to physically move the piercing if you choose this method. In general, it’s a good rule of thumb not to move or twirl your new piercing.

If that’s too awkward, the next best thing is to soak a paper towel in your saline mixture and hold it to your piercing for 30 seconds. Be sure not to physically move the piercing if you choose this method. In general, it’s a good rule of thumb not to move or twirl your new piercing.

Regardless of the method you choose, you should repeat the steps at least three times a day for the best result.

The Healing Process

Your average daith piercing will take about 2 to 3 months to heal, but every body is different. In a daith piercing video, professional piercer Matt Southwood even says it could take 6 to 8 months for some people to completely heal.

During this time, leave your starter jewelry in place and clean it thoroughly several times a day. You’ll know it might be fully healed once you go at least 2 to 3 weeks without any crustiness or discharge forming and no redness or soreness occurring.

Changing Your Daith Jewelry

Once your daith piercing is fully healed, you can begin the process of choosing new jewelry, which is most definitely worth the wait.

However, because of its precarious placement, it’s important to seek professional help the first time (or even second or third time) you change your jewelry. Not only will a professional know exactly what to do, but they can also help ensure your jewelry is high quality, the right size, and the right fit in the ear.

Using a professional piercer to change your jewelry can also avoid any unnecessary trauma to the piercing. Even though it’s healed, the skin can still be fresh and prone to tearing.

Will a Daith Piercing Alleviate Migraines?

Many people have turned to daith piercings because it has been alleged that they alleviate migraines. The theory is based on acupuncture, as there is a spot close to the daith piercing placement that is used in acupuncture treatments to alleviate migraines. The idea is that the pressure of the piercing would stimulate the acupuncture zone.

However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim. If your daith piercing ends up helping with your migraine struggles, that’s great! But it might not be directly due to the piercing.

Ready to Get Pierced?

While there is a lot to consider before committing to a daith piercing, it’s really not that different from any other cartilage piercing. If you’re ready to rock a daith, remember that Urban Body Jewlery has an extensive portfolio of hoop rings, circular barbells, curved barbells, captive bead rings, and more. Our products are high quality and are sure to call attention to this awesome little piercing.

PHOTO CRED: Joshua Rondeau