Location: through the highest fold of the cartilage at the top of the ear; located between the inner and outer conch areas
Jewelry: initially, a circular ring or curved barbell ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 16 gauge (1.2mm) is usually used in diameters and lengths typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 3/8″ (10mm); jewelry types used can also include BCRs, eyebrow rings, and horseshoe circular barbells
Healing: total healing time is anywhere from 3-9 months; usually around 6 months or more on average
Aftercare: about twice a day, wash with warm water and antibacterial soap; sea salt solutions and sprays can aid with the process and both are recommended for use in an aftercare routine
The anatomy of each person’s ear will vary, especially in this particular spot of your ear’s cartilage. It’s important with the rook piercing for your piercer to pay close attention to detail when determining the ideal placement for your new body piercing.
Wondering what it’s like to actually get your rook pierced? Check out this video of Stephanie getting her’s done by professional piercer, James, at American Skin Art in Buffalo, NY!
Great care should also be taken during the healing process with the rook piercing due to the increased risk of exposure to bacteria through the use of things like headphones and telephones since this piercing is a little more out-and-about compared to the more inner-ear piercings. Additionally, piercings in the cartilage of the ear, which lacks an adequate blood supply, makes it more difficult to heal than locations that receive better circulation such as the lobe.
General Aftercare Tips for Ear Piercings:
- Avoid smoking, using public telephones, and sleeping directly on your new piercing.
- ALWAYS make sure you wash your hands before touching your piercing/its jewelry.
- Resist the urge to change your initial jewelry prematurely – it’s totally worth the wait to do it correctly.
Want to check out some awesome options for decorating your rook piercing whether you’ve had it for years or just want to stock up on style for when it heals?
We’ve got you covered at BodyCandy.com with a TON of rook piercing jewelry to choose from.
Welcome to the Body Piercing Encyclopedia!
This post is included in the Ear Piercing category of our encyclopedia and is joined by many other blog posts about the other piercings available as options in the ear and surrounding areas.
- Standard Ear Lobe Piercing
- Upper Ear Lobe Piercing
- Standard Helix Cartilage Piercing
- Forward Helix Cartilage Piercing
- Rook Cartilage Piercing
- Conch (Inner) Cartilage Piercing
- Flat (Scapha/Outer Conch) Cartilage Piercing
- Daith Cartilage Piercing
- Snug (Anti-Helix) Cartilage Piercing
- Industrial Barbell Cartilage Piercing
- Tragus Cartilage Piercing
- Anti-Tragus Cartilage Piercing
- Surface Tragus Piercing
DISCLAIMER: the styles and locations displayed in the reference image to the left won’t match perfectly with your ear’s shape because each and every person has an anatomy that is uniquely individual and some of the piercings featured in our encyclopedia may not be possible for you to get. To find out what piercings are available for you and your specific anatomy, the best option is to visit your local professional piercer and ask for their expertise in determining what piercings are possible for you and your ear!
