13 Types of Ear Piercings That Will Look Cute On You
- by Papiya Dutta
- 3rd April 2020
Gone are the days of a single ear piercing. You can now sport a multitude of earrings by getting your ears pierced at various locations. It looks trendy and stylish and makes you stand out in the crowd. This article gives you a lowdown of the terminology associated with ear piercings and how you can look fab by flaunting the jewelry that suits best.
Basic Steps Involved In an Ear Piercing
It is good to get your ear piercing done in a renowned parlor where proper hygiene is maintained. Most piercing studios follow a few basic steps.
- The piercing spot is cleaned and disinfected properly.
- The point of piercing is marked on the ear with a surgical marking pen.
- The perforation is done with a sterilized needle or a piercing gun.
- The desired jewelry is inserted in the piercing.
Note that a little bleeding is common after the procedure.
List of Different Ear Piercings That Make a Bold Style Statement
1. Standard Lobe Piercing
This is the most common ear piercing that is done in the fleshiest part of the ear, the ear lobe. It is simple, yet elegant and glam.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 6 weeks
Jewelry: Any type of earring
2. Upper Lobe Piercing
This is also a simple piercing in which the upper portion of the ear lobe is pierced. It infuses the right amount of spunk.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 2-4 months
3. Transverse Lobe Piercing
Here the earlobe is pierced at an angle with a barbell. The jewelry should pass horizontally through both the perforations. It runs a high risk of infection.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 2-10 months
4. Conch Piercing
In this type, the ear cartilage gets perforated. It can be of two kinds, inner and outer. The inner one is located in the interior part of the ear and is more popular.
Pain: Medium
Healing time: 3-9 months
Jewelry: Studs, rings, and bars
5. Helix Piercing
This kind of piercing was a rage in the ’90s and early 2000s and is popular even today. It flaunts a rockstar and metalhead image. It is mostly done with a small needle in the upper part of the outer cartilage.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 3-6 months
Jewelry: Barbells, studs, and captive bead rings
6. Forward Helix Piercing
This piercing is located lower down the ear than the helix piercing. The hole is made near the root of the helix (the outer rim of your ear). You can have a single or multiple piercings in this region.
Pain: Medium
Healing time: 3 months
Jewelry: Studs, surgical steel rings
7. Snug Piercing
This piercing is the adjacent, inner ear counterpart of helix piercing, causing it to be alternatively termed as anti-helix.
Pain: High
Healing time: 3-6 months
Jewelry: Plain ring, hanging ball earring, banana barbells, straight bars
8. Industrial Piercing
Also known as scaffold piercing, this scores high on the coolness quotient. The upper cartilage is perforated at two points in this piercing. That is followed by passing a horizontal wire through both the holes to connect them.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 2-3 months
Jewelry: Arrow shaped earring, straight barbell
9. Tragus Piercing
The puncture is done in the tiny flap of cartilage that is an extension of the face and covers the ear canal partially. It is prone to irritation and infections. So proper safety precautions must be adopted. Gems adorn this ear piercing beautifully.
Pain: Considerable
Healing time: 3-6 months
10. Anti-Tragus Piercing
It is done in the inner cartilage of the ear that is located approximately to the opposite of the tragus piercing. However, it is not as prone to stretching and irritation.
Pain: High
Healing time: 6-8 months
Jewelry: Sleek rings, ball closure rings, curved, and circular barbells
11. Rook Piercing
This highly technical piercing penetrates the fold of the upper inner ear. It is prone to get stretched and inflamed often, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.
Pain: High
Healing time: 12-18 months
Jewelry: Sparkling studs, captive bead rings, curved barbells
12. Orbital Piercing
This is a combination of two adjacent piercings that are connected by a single piece of jewelry. Though it is most common to have it in the helix region of your ear, you can have it in any other part including the ear lobe.
Pain: High
Healing time: 3-6 weeks
Jewelry: A heart-shaped or circular ring, curved barbells, horseshoe, and ball closure rings
13. Daith Piercing
This easy piercing is done through the innermost fold of the ear cartilage. Irritation and complications involved are minor.
Pain: Low
Healing time: 6-9 months
Jewelry: Captive bead rings or plain rings
An ear-piercing heals faster with a good aftercare regimen. Clean the piercing and wash it with sea salt solution twice a day or follow the piercing artist’s instructions for the best results.
So what’s stopping you? Go for an ear piercing of your choice and glam it up with the perfect jewelry to ensure that all eyes are on you.
