If you’ve been searching for ear piercing ideas, you’ve probably seen influencers and celebrities wearing hoops or studs around the middle of the ear. It’s called the conch piercing. This body modification is an artsy way to accessorize your ears beyond the standard lobe piercing. Whether you style them with studs or hoop jewelry, they’re flattering enough to complement your fashion style or outfit.
But while this piercing is gorgeous, it can be intimidating, especially to newbie piercing enthusiasts. To calm your nerves, this article covers all you should know before getting a conch piercing, including pain, aftercare, and what the process entails. Before you book that appointment, let’s dive in.
What is a Conch Piercing?
Conch piercings are ear cartilage piercings named after the large spiral shell shape that ears resemble. They are done in the center of the ear, which has the most room. Because of its placement, the conch is one of the most customizable ear piercings.
Depending on your ear shape, you can wear an inner or outer conch piercing or even both. An inner conch sits in the middle of the ear and is often adorned with a stud earring. On the other hand, an outer conch sits around the upper cartilage, allowing rings to pass through the outer edge of the ear’s cartilage. It’s perfect for sporting hoops.
Notwithstanding, a conch can be pierced once or twice to accommodate more jewelry. It suits all ear shapes and can be customized to achieve a subtle or bold look, depending on your jewelry choice or personal style.
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Methods for Achieving Conch Piercing
Whether you choose to pierce your inner or outer conch, either of these methods are used to pierce this part of your ear:
Piercing needle
For this method, your piercer will clean the area and mark a point on both sides before inserting the needle and jewelry. The piercing needle is the most common procedure for a conch piercing.
Dermal punch
This method is often used for larger jewelry. It involves using a small, sharp device to remove a small circular section of cartilage.
The Conch Piercing Process
The piercing procedure typically involves these steps:
- Your piercer will first clean your ear to prevent infection.
- They’ll use a marker to indicate where they intend to pierce. Be sure to double-check the location before moving to the piercing stage.
- Once you’ve confirmed the placement, your piercer will use either a piercing needle or a dermal punch to pierce your conch.
- They’ll insert the jewelry into the piercing and may apply pressure to the area for a few minutes to reduce bleeding.
- They’ll clean the area to remove any blood and reduce your risk of infection.
Types of Jewelry Used for Conch Piercings
Studs
This jewelry is small and comfortable. You can easily change them when the time comes. Instead of the regular earlobe studs, conch studs have flat backs. This prevents the tip of the jewelry from poking into the side of your head, especially when you lie on your side or are on the phone.
Bars
These are long pieces of jewelry with small balls on either end. Many piercers use a bar for the initial piercing as they allow for some swelling and are easy to maintain. Depending on your piercing placement, you can use a straight or curved barbell.
Hoops
Small hoops are another popular jewelry pick for conches, particularly outer conch piercing. However, they’re not used for initial piercing as they can cause excessive movement and irritation, disrupting the healing process.
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Jewelry Materials Used for Conch Piercings
Here are the best metals to adorn your conch with:
Implant-grade stainless steel
This is one of the safest options for new piercings. It’s hypoallergenic and designed for body wear.
Titanium
Titanium is completely hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for supersensitive skin. However, if you’re sensitive to nickel, titanium may not be the best option, as it contains trace amounts.
Niobium
This metal is safe for almost anyone, even those with sensitive skin. It’s also less expensive than titanium.
Low-karat gold or platinum
Gold and platinum are safe choices for this piercing. Avoid cheap gold or gold plating as they can flake off and expose you to other alloys used under the plating and cause an infection.
How to Change Out a Conch Piercing
Don’t touch your new piercing until it’s fully healed, which will take six to nine months. The first time you go to change the jewelry, go back to the professional who pierced you. They’ll confirm that the piercing is completely healed and ready to be swapped to prevent further damage. They’ll also suggest aftercare tips based on your earring style.
How Painful Is a Conch Piercing?
Since we all have different pain tolerances, it’s hard to determine how much a conch piercing will hurt. However, this piercing can be more painful than lobe piercings because the cartilage, where they’re located, has thicker flesh. Additionally, you’ll feel some throbbing during the piercing. But the good news is, the pain won’t last long.
How Long Does it Take to Heal?
Conch piercings take longer to heal than lobe piercings because the cartilage doesn’t have a good blood supply. The healing process can take three to nine months, depending on your aftercare routine and general hygiene.
What to Expect After Having a Conch Piercing
Like any piercing, the conch is an open wound, so you’ll experience pain and discomfort around the area. Other things to expect within a few days or weeks after your piercing include:
- Some bleeding
- Bruises
- Redness
- Whitish-yellow discharge that forms a crust but is not pus
- Slight swelling around the pierced area.
- Skin discoloration
- Itching
Risks of a Conch Piercing
When not properly cared for, these risks can occur after getting pierced:
Infection
All piercings are at risk of infection. Signs include red or swollen skin, pain or tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, or yellow or green discharge from the piercing. If you suspect an infection, don’t remove your earrings unless a healthcare professional asks you to. Removing the metal can cause infected bumps to grow. Instead, see a doctor immediately.
Swelling or inflammation
Your ear may look puffy and red. But don’t worry—the swelling should go down within a few days.
Bumps
Different bumps can grow on the pierced area, including contact dermatitis, keloids, abscesses, or piercing pimples.
Aftercare Tips
A conch piercing may be more uncomfortable than other ear piercings, but proper aftercare can prevent complications like infection during healing. Follow the aftercare directions your piercer gives you. They usually include:
- Clean your piercing twice daily with a sterile saline solution for at least three months.
- Wash your hands well before touching or washing your piercing.
- Avoid manipulating, moving, twisting, or fiddling with your piercing, as it can cause complications.
- Don’t rotate your piercing while cleaning it or at any other time.
- Don’t remove your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed or your piercer says you can remove it.
- Avoid placing anything over your piercing while it heals. This includes earbuds, headbands, or hats.
- Avoid sleeping on the side or directly on your piercing until it’s fully healed.
- See a doctor if you notice blood, swelling, or pus.
- Keep your ears clean always, free from ear wax or dead skin.
- Sleep on clean bedsheets and pillowcases.
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