Are you determined to get an ear piercing but aren’t sure which one is right for you? Are you looking for something a little more quirky and unusual than just a standard lobe piercing? There are lots of different popular cartilage piercings that you can choose from, but two of the most common these days are the rook and the faux rook piercing. If you’re trying to decide which one suits you best, read on and discover the difference between the two options and the benefits of each so you can make a well-informed choice.
Rook Piercings – What Are They?
Rook piercings are made through the ear’s skin fold that is positioned over the inner conch and ear canal. They are done through a tissue shelf running down the ear’s outer rim and behind the forward helix. Traditionally, this type of piercing is fitted initially with a curved 14g or 16g barbell. However, once it has fully healed, it can be changed to a well-fitted hoop to give a whole new look.
Some people don’t like the way a rook piercing looks, and some cannot actually get this type of piercing due to the shape of their ears. Your ear has to have just the right shape if the piercing is going to be made through the ear cartilage in the correct location.
Rook piercings first became popular during the 1990s thanks to Erik Dakota, a well-known piercer. Although they are attractive to look at, they take quite a long time to heal. There are also limited jewelry options for use in this type of piercing. This goes part-way towards explaining why the faux rook piercing has recently surged in popularity.
What Is a Faux Rook Piercing?
A faux rook piercing is made through the skin tissue that is right above the rook’s ridge. Done using a straight barbell, this form of piercing gives you many more jewelry options as well as the choice of wearing more attractive and ornate ends. Also, as an added advantage, it heals more quickly and easily than a standard rook piercing with less pain during the execution.
A rook piercing looks like the top half of a classic rook piercing, but there is a difference in that it doesn’t go through the cartilage. It passes through the back of your ear rather than down through the fold of skin, with a backing attached to the rear of the ear.
Is the Traditional Rook or Faux Rook Piercing Better?
Deciding whether the traditional rook or faux rook piercing is better is down to personal choice. Really, neither one can be said to be better. They both offer something different to the wearer.
The traditional rook piercing features a curved barbell that has both a top and bottom end onto which cute and ornate pieces can initially be worn. Once the piercing has fully healed, you can switch to a J-curve or ring for a more unique and stylish aesthetic. On the downside, though, this type of piercing takes quite a long time to heal, plus the fact that a curve is required limits your choice when it comes to pieces for the top of the barbell.
The faux rook piercing, on the other hand, can be used with any piece of jewelry that is as ornate or as large as your anatomy permits. Also, this type of piercing will usually heal more quickly and will be less painful to carry out in the first place. On the downside, though, it doesn’t give you the stylish look of the bottom and top bead, and you can’t wear a hoop in it.
Neither the rook or faux rook piercing will affect being able to wear in-ear traditional-style earphones or earplugs, so this isn’t a concern to bear in mind when making your piercing choice.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Traditional Rook Piercing?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a traditional rook piercing:
Pros:
- You can achieve a stylish look with both a top and bottom bead
- You can wear a ring in this type of piercing
Cons:
- Not everyone can get this piercing depending on the shape of their ear
- It takes a long time to heal
- It is quite a painful piercing when compared with other types
- There is a limited choice of jewelry to pick from
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Faux Rook Piercing?
There are also many advantages and disadvantages of having a faux rook piercing. They include:
Pros:
- Greater choice of jewelry
- Quicker and easier healing process
- Good choice for newcomers to piercing
- Less painful piercing than the standard rook
Cons:
- You can’t wear a ring in it
- You don’t have the stylish upper and lower beads with this piercing type
How Do I Change a Faux Rook Piercing Stud?
When you get your faux rook piercing you will have a single stud. Once the piercing has fully healed you can then change it to suit your own personal style and preferences. This is just as simple as changing any standard lobe piercing – simply remove the back, pull out the stud and then switch with the stud of your choice.
There are lots of different options available, including patterned, colored, and shaped studs that add style and a fashionable touch to your aesthetic. Whether you have lots of ear piercings or whether you’re looking for an unusual and quirky piercing to stand alone, the faux rook could be perfect for you.
Is the Faux Rook Piercing for Me?
This faux rook piercing overview should help you identify the differences between the classic rook and faux rook piercing, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. This should make it easier to decide which one is the right choice for you. Both are attractive and popular options, so whichever you choose, you’re sure to never regret it!