Q: Does a daith piercing actually help with migraines or is it a placibo? — Jenna P.

A: I love that you asked instead of just believing the internet, because this is one where I have to give it to you straight: there’s no real scientific evidence that a daith piercing treats migraines. The honest answer leans much closer to placebo than to medicine.

Here’s where the idea comes from. The daith sits at a spot that lines up with a pressure point some acupuncture practices target, so the theory goes that piercing it gives constant “stimulation” there. It’s a nice-sounding story, but it hasn’t held up, studies haven’t shown daith piercings actually reduce migraines, and any relief people report tends to be anecdotal.

Why do some people swear it worked? A few honest reasons:

• Placebo is powerful, and genuinely believing something will help can reduce how you experience pain

• Migraines naturally come and go, so a quieter stretch right after getting pierced can look like cause-and-effect when it’s just timing

• You’d mostly hear from the people it seemed to help, not the many it didn’t

So I’d never tell you to get a daith as a migraine treatment, that’s not a promise anyone can honestly make. If migraines are hurting your life, the real move is a doctor or a headache specialist, where there are actually proven options. That said, if you want a daith because you think it looks cool, that’s a completely great reason on its own. Just go in for the piercing, not the cure, and you’ll never be disappointed.

Q: For a tragus, should I start with a stud or a mini hoop? I keep seeing both and don’t know which comes first. — Marla B.

A:  Great question, and the answer’s actually pretty clear: start with a stud, save the mini hoop for later. A fresh piercing wants to stay as still as possible while it heals, and the tragus is a slow healer (think months to a year). A flat-back stud sits snug and barely moves, which is exactly what it needs. A hoop, even a cute mini one, rotates, shifts, and catches on your earbuds and pillow, and all that motion on a new piercing is what leads to irritation bumps and a longer, grumpier heal.

So the order of operations:

• Now (healing): a flat-back stud, in implant-grade titanium or solid 14K gold. Low-profile, stays put, comfy to sleep on

• Later (fully healed, piercer gives the okay): swap in that mini hoop and enjoy it

The reason you see both everywhere is that people absolutely wear hoops in healed tragus piercings, you’re just seeing the “after,” not the “day one.” Both looks are totally doable, they’re just for different stages. So grab the stud first, let it heal properly without rushing, and the mini hoop will be waiting for you on the other side. Same piercing, way happier journey.

Disclaimer: Body Candy is only here to give you fun and helpful advice and information when it comes to getting pierced. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you!