The rook passes vertically through a thick fold of cartilage (the so-called lower limb of the dike).

Key issue - anatomy: This piercing is highly dependent on the structure of your ear. In order for them to be made, the fold of cartilage must be properly developed, protruding and deep enough to safely accommodate the jewelry. If your rook is very flat or shallow, an experienced piercer will advise against getting a Rook and will suggest a safer alternative (e.g. Flat or Faux Rook).

As with Anti-Tragus, we are piercing one of the thickest and hardest cartilage structures in the ear.

Pain is most often assessed as: 5 to 6 on a 10-point scale. The sting itself is usually accompanied by a strong feeling of pressure (so-called "pressure") and a characteristic "crunch", which is loud due to the proximity of the ear canal. After the procedure, the ear may be very tender and pulsate strongly for several to several days.

Rook takes a long time to heal, but it has one huge advantage - it "hides" inside the auricle, making it much less susceptible to being caught by hair, a brush or clothes than the classic Helix.

• The initial stage of healing (swelling goes down): 3 to 5 months.
• Complete healing of the canal: from 6 to 12 months.

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!

The shape of the cartilage fold and the vertical piercing channel require the use of specific types of jewelry.

During healing:

The gold and only safe standard to start with is curved barbell, i.e. Banana (Curved Barbell), made of hypoallergenic material titanium G23. Its curvature fits perfectly into the natural arch of the cartilage, minimizing tension.

• Rod Thickness: 1.2mm.
• Starting Length: Typically 8mm or 10mm. Due to the large thickness of the tissue, Rook can swell dramatically a few days after the procedure (so-called delayed swelling), so a long rod is necessary.

Downsize: Absolutely mandatory! When the swelling subsides (after about 4-8 weeks), the banana will start to protrude unsightly and move in the canal. You should go to the studio to replace the barbell with a shorter one that fits perfectly (often 6 mm).

After healing:

Once your Rook is fully healed, you can start playing around with the style:

• Small, fitted circles (Clickers) or the so-called seam rings.
• Decorative bananas with crystals on both ends.
• Subtle, geometric caps instead of the lower ball.