11 Types Of Ear Piercings That You Should Read About Before Taking The Plunge

We think of the very first ear piercing as a rite of passage. Getting those lobes pierced is like making your very first (also, the most permanent) commitment to fashion and your love for all things jewellery. However, for a true piercing enthusiast, it is just the beginning. In the piercing community, getting the standard lobe pierced is mostly a vanilla move. The real fun happens when you move ahead and discover various types of ear piercings. Just in case you are new to the club and intrigued about the fascinating world of piercings, here’s an exhaustive list of different types of ear piercings.

Ear Piercing Chart

Before we get into the details of types of ear piercing, how about we take a look at the different parts of the ear and what each of these piercing sites look like? Here is an ear-piercing chart for your reference:

Different Types Of Ear Piercings

A beautifully curated ear is now the IT accessory. And while the combinations and types of piercings you are going to choose are up to you, we can definitely help you make an informed decision. Read on:

Triple Lobe

There are basically three types of lobe piercings. They are:

Standard Lobe Piercing

As obvious from the name, lobe piercing refers to getting the fleshy bottom part of your ear pierced. This is the easiest part of the ear to get pierced and heals the fastest as well. It takes approximately 6-8 months to fully heal. That said, you can start experimenting with earrings from the third week itself.

Upper Lobe Piercing

This has to be your pick in case you want to spice up your classic piercing without going too extreme. Upper lobe piercing takes the same time to heal as the standard lobe piercing.

Transverse Lobe Piercing

Think of this as a modern take on an old classic. In this lobe piercing, the earrings run horizontally through the earlobe instead of running from the inside to the outside as it happens in the standard lobe piercing. While it looks quite chic, the biggest disadvantage with this piercing is that it takes a really long time to heal thus increasing the chances of infection.

Helix

Helix piercing refers to a cartilage piercing that is located at the upper section of your ear. This is often the most common choice after lobe piercing. It typically lands on the edge or middle of the ear and is only slightly more painful than the lobe piercing. 

Forward Helix 

It is the location that differentiates a forward helix piercing from a regular helix piercing. It sits lower down the ear and is generally inserted near the root of the helix. Studs happen to be a popular jewellery choice for this type of ear piercing.

Conch

Executed in the portion of the ear at the middle of your cartilage, this is a standout ear piercing style and looks quite striking. The portion gets its name from its resemblance to a spiral shell. Speaking of the pain threshold, it is pretty close to the cartilage piercing and it takes anywhere from 3-9 months to heal.

Industrial Piercing

The industrial piercing is basically a straight barbell that connects one cartilage piercing to another on the upper part of the ear. As obvious, this ear piercing for women is a relatively painful procedure. However, we guess it is all kinda worth it at the end given how stylish it looks.

Daith

Rumored to heal migraines and anxiety-related headaches, this type of ear piercing requires a skilled piercer. A daith refers to the hoop that basically hugs the cartilage which is inside your ear. This piercing is quite versatile and generally suits most people. 

Rook

One of the most common unconventional ear piercing styles, this is located in the inner cartilage of the ear. It is basically above the daith and between the inner conch. It is quite painful and needs a skilled piercer.

Tragus

Tragus refers to the part of the ear that covers the ear canal. This is a painful albeit standout piercing site and can take a long time to heal. 

FAQs

How Much Do Ear Piercings Cost?

Ear piercing can cost anywhere from 400 to 2000 in India depending on the piercer and type of earring you opt for. It can also go higher if you pick particularly expensive studs. 

What’s better, a piercing gun or needle?

Using a piercing needle is safer for your skin as the piercing gun applies blunt force trauma. This can lead to injuries and damaged soft tissues. 

What should I do if my piercing gets infected?

Talk to your doctor. If it is mild and treatable at home, then you can start by washing the site with saline water thrice a day. Don’t put random ointments, it can further irritate the infection. Also, don’t remove the earring as it might lead the hole to close up and trap infection. 

What is the most painful ear piercing?

Industrial ear piercing is generally considered to be the most painful ear piercing.

Also Read

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The Downside Of Nose Piercing: While piercing is generally a flawless process, sometimes things go wrong and you might end up getting infected. In this article, we share the story of someone who had to endure the dark side of the piercing.

Naths That Don’t Need Piercing: Although most brides would love to wear a nath, it isn’t always viable to get a nose piercing just to wear this piece of jewellery on the big day. That’s exactly why we have created this list for you.

Amazing Uses Of Earbuds: We all know the usual ways in which Q tips are useful to us. But are there uses for them that you have no idea about? Here are some amazing additional uses of Q tips you will only be too happy to discover.

So fam, all set to take the plunge armed with the knowledge of all sorts of trending ear piercing styles?

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