Which Ear Piercing Is Right for You?

Have you always wanted to get your ears pierced, but don't know where to start? This article is for you!

Piercings add style and tie your everyday look together perfectly. You'll quickly get hooked on cartilage piercings. Ear jewelry is trending for men and women alike, whether on the lobe or elsewhere on your ear's cartilage. You'll be able to create hundreds of different combinations with your new jewelry.

How do you choose your ear piercing?

We all have different ears, so the right piercing choice depends on each person's anatomy. Some ears, for example, can comfortably take 3 lobe piercings, while others shouldn't go past 2.

A piercing suited to your ear

A piercing that doesn't suit the shape of your ear can struggle to heal, and above all can lead to pain and complications. Take care in choosing where to place your piercing.

Turn to a piercing professional

We recommend going to a specialist, a proper piercing studio. They'll be able to advise you on your next piercing, the material, and the price.

If you still have questions on the topic, take a look at our article "How to choose the best piercer or the best piercing studio?".

Of course, we're firmly against piercings done at jewelry shops, and against the piercing gun method! A sterile needle is your best friend. There are several piercing gauges: 1mm, 1.2mm, 1.6mm, though 1.2mm is generally the standard size for ear piercing jewelry. When it comes to sizing, your piercer is best placed to guide you toward what suits your ear. We've put together a selection of the 5 most popular piercings to help you decide if you're still on the fence!

• No. 1 lobe piercing: the classic

Lobe piercing is a classic. If you don't have any ear piercings yet, we recommend starting with this timeless choice!

You can, for example, get two or even three done at once, but make sure to get one ear pierced at a time. Healing gets more complicated if you can't sleep on either side, so it's smarter to wait for one side to heal before moving on to the other.

Lobe piercing pain is very mild. It heals fast, in 6 to 8 weeks or more, especially if you go with labret-style jewelry. Once healing is complete, you can choose new jewelry, even a hoop. For a lobe hoop diameter, we recommend 8 or 10mm.

• No. 2 helix piercing: the most popular cartilage piercing

You've likely heard of it: helix piercing is the most popular after the lobe. It generally takes 6 to 9 months or more to heal. With a good aftercare routine, you'll enjoy healing that goes smoothly, which is what matters most.

As for jewelry, you can go for a hoop or labret-style piece. The helix is the ideal spot if you want to add a bold, eye-catching piece, and it just so happens we have plenty of choice in stock.

• No. 3 conch piercing: a striking piercing

Conch piercing is ideal for bringing extra shine to your ear. If you love more elaborate hoops, you're going to enjoy yourself here.

The Alrakis hoop, for example, is a triple hoop. You can also wear labret-style jewelry on the conch, though a hoop will show off much more!

Note that for all piercings, including the conch, you'll need to wear labret-style jewelry for the first few months. Your piercer will always recommend it, for more effective healing, along with quality materials rather than surgical steel. Only surgical 316L steel is worth considering, and only once a piercing has fully healed.

As for healing, expect it to take a bit longer than a helix piercing: 6 to 9 months or more.

• No. 4 tragus piercing: an adorable piercing

Tragus piercing is ideal if you want something discreet. Most of the time, you'll wear labret-style jewelry there at first. Later on, you can choose a 6mm hoop. We love wearing a Trinity on the tragus, or a prong-set piece. Tragus cartilage is fairly thin, so pain can vary quite a bit from one ear to another.

• No. 5 daith piercing: for the piercing lovers

Daith piercing, which some people say may help with migraines, though the evidence isn't conclusive, is a striking piercing. If you want to dress up your ear with a beautiful hoop, this is the ideal spot. We recommend getting a daith after you already have a few ear piercings under your belt. The pain can be a bit sharper than, say, the helix, but don't worry, it only lasts a few seconds.

As for healing time, expect 6 to 9 months or more. If you're after new jewelry, stick to materials like titanium and gold. Surgical steel 316L can be an option once your piercing is fully healed.

To help you picture your next ear piercing, here's a guide to where each type of piercing sits. There are other piercings you can get too, like the rook, anti-helix, anti-tragus, or industrial.

If you're still unsure about the order to get pierced in, you'll find all our healing and pain advice in our article 'Ear Piercing - Names, Healing, Jewelry, Everything You Need to Know!'

Which ear piercing hurts the most?

Keep in mind that pain from a piercing is very subjective from person to person. Rest assured, getting your ear pierced only takes a few seconds.

If you follow all our advice, you shouldn't run into healing issues at all. That said, a poorly done piercing, or one that isn't properly cared for, can hurt. You might feel mild pain in the first few days, and your ear's skin may look red. It always takes a little time for your body to get used to new jewelry. Note that cartilage piercings always take longer to heal than lobe piercings, since the lobe has no cartilage and fewer nerve endings. We recommend choosing labret-style jewelry over a hoop for better healing, since it supports the process.

To give you an idea of what an ear composition can look like, here's one we love. Below, the Situla piece sits on the helix, an Eternity hoop on the conch, an Electra hoop on the first lobe piercing, and a basic hoop on the second.

How much does it cost to get your ears pierced?

Piercing prices often vary by location and piercer. Keep in mind that price shouldn't be your only criteria: the studio's reputation and cleanliness matter just as much. In our studios in France, an ear lobe piercing runs between €20 and €40, often at a lower rate per piercing if you get both lobes or several holes done at once. For other cartilage piercings (conch, tragus, helix, rook, daith...), expect to pay between €40 and €70, depending on location and the studio's reputation.

What jewelry should you choose for your ear?

Once your ear has healed, you'll be able to change your jewelry. Congratulations on your patience! We recommend choosing gold or titanium. These are the best materials for your ear jewelry. Be wary of bargain piercings: they're rarely the best choice for your skin's health. You'll also find plenty of sellers offering low-quality surgical steel jewelry, which unfortunately isn't a great choice for your skin either, since it carries a higher risk of infection. The exception is 316L-grade steel, the only grade considered a "good steel" for fully healed piercings.

That's exactly why Obsidian Piercing offers piercings designed to be kind to your skin. Whether you're a fan of hoops or cute little pieces, you can browse our selection in our online shop. We also carry other jewelry, like a horseshoe for your septum or barbell jewelry for your nipple... for women and men alike!

Fair warning: ear piercings can be addictive. Once you get one on the lobe, you'll want another on the helix, then the tragus, and so on. It's true, we're seeing more and more ears dressed with multiple hoops and pieces. Ear piercing is now woven into fashion and everyday life. Beyond being a simple accessory, it lets your personality shine through. Piercings go well beyond the ears too: nose, septum, navel... there's no shortage of options. We offer silver-toned and gold jewelry designed to be worn together, so you can build all kinds of compositions!

The whole Obsidian team is here to help you choose your next piercing. Silver-toned or gold, hoop or labret, feel free to reach out to us about your next piercing! If you're ever unsure about jewelry size or length, check out our size guide. We offer fast delivery (free from €160, or parcel-point delivery from €60 in Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Portugal) and a customer service team that's always ready to help. You can also browse our nose and nipple piercings on our site ♥