The Complete Guide to Conch Piercings
If you are a person that loves unique piercing, then conch piercing should be your next pick. The piercing is possibly one of the most versatile and is gaining popularity in recent years as the Septum Piercing, don’t miss the chance to ride on the trend bus.
The super exciting fact about conch piercing is that it comes in multiple placement options, mixed with a variety of conch piercing jewelry; you can always choose from the hoop, stud, and more. Looking for something trendy yet unique, you have it all.
We understand how with the prospect of every new piercing comes a storm of questions in mind. How much will this piercing hurt? How much time will it take to heal? Which jewelry will look perfect?
So now comes the critical point; if you are thinking of getting a conch piercing, this blog is your ultimate guide and will walk you through every minor and important fact you need to know. We believe you will love the guide!
Before digging into other important things, let us tell you.
What is a Conch Piercing?
You might have a scroll through pictures when you decide to get a conch piercing. But the term still might be a little confusing for you. Let us clear the picture for you; the term ‘conch’ (shell) is due to that part of the ears resemblance to a shell. The piercing is divided into different kinds: inner, outer, and double.
The inner conch piercing is the cup-shaped area just beside the ear canal, the center of the ear, while the outer conch piercing is the flat piece of the ear between the helix and the antihelix.
As a comparison, the inner conch is slightly more difficult to pierce, but if you are hiring a professional piercing artist, you don’t need to worry about it. Generally, an artist uses a hollow 16 point gauge needle for this piercing. This particular piercing has a little different procedure than with any other cartilage piercing, and the healing process may differ too.
What are the Best Choices for Conch Piercing Jewelry?
Give your fingers a little rest, don’t rush into changing your conch jewelry, wait until your piercing is fully healed, and then you can explore various fun options to sparkle up your piercing.
Please note some important points if you want to go for a piece of hoop jewelry that is perfect for getting an outer conch piercing; however, if you’re going to wear studs and a barbell, then an inner conch piercing is your ultimate choice.
But don’t worry, you are not limited to choices because if you like to have a hoop look alongside studs, you can always get double conch piercing. Consult your piercer for professional advice. It’s always good to speak out your choices loud.
Now let’s move towards a few choices of jewelry that best fits your conch piercing.
● Studs: Studs for conch piercing are different than your ear lobes studs as they come in typically flatbacks to prevent the end from hurting the side of your head. The flat back makes it easier to lie down or while using your phone. However, some piercers might not recommend starting with the stud as they can be uncomfortable early in the healing process. So, you can start with a hoop or talk to your piercer.
● Barbell; A lot of piercing artists recommend starting with barbell jewelry. Why? Well, these are longer in size with small balls on either end. Just to clear your vision, consider it as a small size dumbbell. Barbells are a perfect pick to start with, as it allows for some swelling and is easier to keep clean. However, your barbell choice depends upon your location; you can either go straight or may be curved barbell jewelry.
● Hoops; Hoops are always a classy pick for an outer conch piercing. Moreover, hoops are the best pick initially as they allow movement, which can help in the healing process.
Regardless of which jewelry you pick, you’ll also pay close attention to the material of the jewelry. The right material can help you avoid complications and irritation.
● Stainless steel; This is one of the safest options for most people. However, it contains a small amount of nickel, which is intolerable for some people. So if you are someone with sensitive skin to nickel, you may get an allergic reaction to it. Skip if you have sensitive skin.
● Titanium: Titanium is the perfect pick for people with sensitive skin, as it is completely hypoallergenic. However, it also comes with a drawback that is its high cost.
● Solid 14- or 16-karat gold: While buying gold, make sure you are not getting con with gold-plated, as it can expose you to nickel and other alloys used under the plating.
A good piercing artist will always help you pick the jewelry that best suits your particular piercing. Don’t hesitate to take their advice.
What is The Level of Conch Piercing Pain?
Yes, we know how you are all stressed up thinking about the pain it may cause. Well, listen through the experts themselves.
Noah, the Platinum Tattoos & Body Piercing owner, is a professional piercer with years of experience meeting customers’ unique piercing requests. When asked
Noah says, “Well, I second that cartilage piercing hurts compared to other piercing. But the amount of pain is bearable, and it falls on the pain as moderate level only.”
So if you are someone who already has a piercing that signs to your tolerance level, so sit back because it’s a bearable pain, and it hurts the same as any other cartilage piercing.
However, if you are still stressed out with the pain, talk to your piercer, and the person will walk you through breathing exercises that will minimize discomfort.
Moreover, we suggest you practice other relaxation methods, such as meditation, prior to your piercing appointment. Most of the time, we stress more about the thinking of the pain, while it is less painful than anticipated; you might just walk out of the studio thinking,
“That was easier than I thought it would be.”
How long does a Conch piercing take to heal?
Conch piercing is one of the most quirky cartilage piercings out there. And adds a whimsical appeal to your overall look, considering they are subtle and endearingly tucked out of the way.
But the million-dollar question is: How long will the piercings take to heal? We bring advice from experts to give you a clearer picture. Huffington Post reports suggest “ear lobes, tongues, and lips have some of the fastest healing times, which is 4–6 weeks, because of the high blood flow, or vascularity.”
Now, what about conch piercings healing time? The same source suggests that “Cartilage on the outer ear takes longer to heal.” and that it does make sense that these body parts are usually much thinner than fleshier areas like the lips and lobes.
So, be prepared with patience as your piercing might take 6 months to heal. However, using Neilmed aftercare from Platinum tattoo & piercing is a great choice, its a non-natural product that is easy to use, helps you clean your piercing and prevents conch piercing infections, and is super affordable.
Enjoy! Your new piercing is going to look awesome, so be sure to show it off to all your friends and family, and make the most out of it.