There is something very appealing about conch piercings, which are a type of cartilage piercing named after the big spiral shape that ears have. There are many reasons why people like them. One could be that they’re very versatile—you can wear one by itself or pair it with a carefully chosen earring.
A conch piercing is beautiful and would look great on Instagram, but it can also be a little scary, even for people who love getting piercings. Rhianna Jones, a piercer, and Susan Bard, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, were able to calm our fears and give us information about pain, cost, treatment, and what the process actually involves. Here is what you need to know before getting a conch piercing, with their help.
Understanding Conch Piercings – What are they?
The conch piercing is in the middle of the ear, which is the roomiest part of the ear. Because of where it is placed, it’s one of the most flexible ear piercings you can get. Remember that this type of piercing can be done on the inside or outside of your ear, based on how your ear is shaped.
For an inner conch piercing, a hole is made right through the middle of the ear so that a stud can fit. Another type is the outer conch piercing, which lets a ring go around the outside of the cartilage of the ear (hello, hoops).
Jones says that a conch piercing can fit a lot of different ear types and styles. “In my many years of piercing, I have not come across one that wasn’t suitable,” she adds. “Working with the anatomy of each ear, the placement can achieve a subtle look or be a statement piece, depending on the style and desires of the client.”
Best Jewelry Materials for Conch Piercing:
Top-Quality Stainless Steel for Implant Use
Because it’s hypoallergenic and made to be worn in the body, this is one of the best metals for a new pierce. In general, stay away from cheap materials that might respond.
High-Quality Implant Titanium
Another metal good for implants. Titanium has small amounts of nickel, so if you are very allergic to it, it might not be the best choice for you.
Low-Karat Gold and Platinum
A pretty safe choice is also a fine metal, like gold or platinum. Remember that it’s better to spend more on high-quality items than on cheap ones. Stay away from cheap gold or gold plating, which can flake off and make you sick.
Different Jewelry Types for Conch Piercing:
Stylish Conch Studs and Bars
Since they are small and comfy, studs and bars are great for new inner conch piercings. They are also easy to change when the time comes. Jonespierces people with a bar the first time, but once the wound is closed, she says it “can be fitted with jewelry of either a bar or ring style, depending on the placement and anatomy of the client.”
Hoop Designs
There are a lot of different kinds of small hoops that are often used for conches, especially outer conches. They aren’t used as first piercings, though, because they make the body move too much and itch.
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Is a Conch Piercing Painful? Here’s what to expect:
Most people agree that conch piercings are on the more painful end of the range. They go through a thicker part of the ear, which is why this happens.
Getting your conch pierced will hurt a little more if you already have your lobe pierced. It should feel the same if you have any other cartilage piercings. Overall, the pain is different for each person because of their pain tolerance. If you pinch your ear, you can get an idea of how it feels. The pain usually goes away pretty quickly after getting pierced. If you take good care of your healed conch, you should be able to play it without any pain.
Pain and Healing Time
When the conch is pierced, it can hurt more than when the lobe is pierced because it is on the cartilage of the ear, which has thicker skin.
We all have different pain thresholds, so it’s hard to say how much a conch piercing will hurt. Jones says that any piercing is painful to some degree. “On the whole, it is pretty much the same as other ear parts and not that bad,” says Jones. Oh, no.
If you want to heal, Jones says, “it can take anywhere from three to nine months.” “This varies due to how well the aftercare is followed and the client’s general health.” Maria Tash in New York says that cartilage piercings usually take longer to heal than lobe piercings, which usually take two to four months to heal. Of course, the best way to make sure a piercing heals is to take care of it properly afterward (more on that below).
What You Need to Know Before Getting a Conch Piercing:
You can get ready for getting your conch pierced in a few different ways once you have made your appointment. Here are some things to remember:
- Eat well and Drink Plenty: Drink a lot of water and eat a small meal before your call. This can help you stay healthy and avoid getting sick or dizzy after getting pierced.
- Steer Clear of Alcohol and Blood Thinners: Alcohol and some medicines, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can thin your blood, which could make your piercing bleed more.
- Think About Your Hairstyle: As soon as you get a piercing, it’s best to keep your hair away from it to avoid itching and other problems. Wear or bring a hair tie or headband to your meeting to keep your hair out of the way.
Follow-Up Care Instructions
Jones says to clean the piercing twice a day with a safe saline solution and not touch or play with it, no matter how excited you are to show off your new ice. Naturally, it’s important to make sure the area is clean during the piercing itself. “Make sure it is done in the most sterile fashion possible and kept clean and infection-free,” says Bard.
If you sleep on your side, you should wait to sleep on that side until the pierce is fully fixed. Both doctors agree that sleeping on the piercing can make it hurt and take longer to heal. “My advice to anyone interested in getting a new piercing is to research your piercer before choosing where to go, and always follow the aftercare advice they give,” Jones says. Most experts say that you should clean the pierced area with an antibacterial soap once or twice a day and make sure it is completely dry after each cleaning.
Take your child to the doctor right away if you see blood, swelling that doesn’t go away, or pus. “Anytime you pierce the cartilage, you [risk] inflaming or infecting it,” he says. “There’s a greater likelihood of prolonged wound healing, pain, and keloid formation.” Because of this, it’s very important to take care of yourself properly after getting pierced.
Conch Piercing – What Dangers to Be Aware Of?
Infection Leads to Inflammation
The chance of getting an infection is always there, but there are a few extra things to remember with this style. Bard says that people who wear earbuds may be more likely to get an illness after getting a conch piercing. As a side note, you shouldn’t wear earplugs while it heals. Also, she says you shouldn’t get a cartilage piercing if you’ve had problems with them before or if you work in a dirty place that can make the ear more likely to get an infection.
Keloid
Sometimes, getting pierced can lead to too much scar tissue and the growth of something called a keloid. It’s a good idea to find out if anyone in your family has had one before you get poked. Always be careful with your treatment to keep the risk of infection or scars to a minimum.
Conclusion:
As soon as your new piercing is six to nine months healed, don’t touch it or do anything else that could hurt it. When you change your jewelry for the first time, you might want to go back to the person who did the piercing. This will stop any more damage and make sure the hole is fully fixed before it is switched. Your piercer can also give you home care tips based on the style of your earrings.
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