Conch Piercing Guide: Here’s Everything You Should Know

Ever looked properly at the flappers on the sides of your head? There’s a lot going on in there, including the shell-shaped bowl in the centre of your outer ear. This is the conch. And it’s home to one of the most multi-functional cartilage piercings, of which there are two main types:

Inner conch piercing - This one’s placed in the deeper bowl near the ear canal. It usually features a straight labret stud, sitting like a snug subtle sparkle.

Outer conch piercing - The flatter cartilage area, just inside the curve of your ear, is prime real estate for a conch hoop or statement ring. There’s more visibility than inner conch jewellery, creating added “look at me” impact.

Confused about conch piercing descriptions and studio lingo? It’s unsurprising, especially when piercers call the outer conch the "flat".

But don’t let jargon blow your stack. Just point to the bit you want pierced and ask them to mark it before they go in with the needle.

Let’s break the procedure down step-by-step, so you know exactly what to expect, without any surprises:

Time for the million-dollar question. How much does a conch piercing really hurt?

Let’s not sugarcoat it. It’s cartilage. So yes, it’s more painful than a lobe. But less savage than a daith or rook.

Most people rate it somewhere in the middle of the body mod pain scale. It’s not a walk in the park. But it’s not a triathlon either. The pain’s sharp, but over in a flash.

The real test isn’t the piercing itself. It’s the conch piercing healing. (More on that in a second.)

Pro tip: The anticipation is always worse than the moment. So, breathe in. And breathe out. You’ll be clutching your Costa like your life depends on it. And then, bish, bash, bosh, it’s done.

Brace yourself! An inner or outer conch piercing can take between six to 12 months to heal. This is because cartilage is a slow mover.

As for what’s normal and what’s not when you’ve had a conch piercing? Keep your cool if you experience any of these side effects during the first few weeks:

• Crusty bits (gross but normal)
• Redness
• Swelling
• An overwhelming urge to keep touching it (this can nag and nag, but do your best to resist!)

The good news is these are all perfectly normal by-products of the natural healing process. So, let your body get on with its stuff. And don’t:

• Sleep on it
• Wear over-ear headphones when you’re still getting used to your new conch jewellery (we know it’s a challenge not to, gamers and commuters)
• Rotate your conch hoop like the newly pierced were instructed to do back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. It resulted in all sorts of unnecessary infections and soreness!

It’s always wise to establish a solid aftercare routine with any kind of piercing. And an outer or inner cartilage piercing is no exception to the rules.

Here’s what you need for an effective cartilage piercing survival pack:

• Patience - In bulk
• Clean hands - Always, without exception
• Sterile saline spray - No alcohol. No fancy fragrances. See below for the best in the conch piercing business.
• Paper towels - Not tissues, which shed, or cotton wool, which catches and snags. Fluff or other bits and pieces in your piercing is never a good look in terms of conch piercing healing.

This one’s for you, for a fresh conch piercing, or when you’re serious about keeping your cartilage crisp, clean, and crust-free.

Meet LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray, the mighty little must-have mist for piercing pros and enthusiasts who don’t fancy angry red ears and gross gunk.

This pocket-sized power spray is packed with professional-grade saline solution (that’s 0.9% sodium chloride if you want to get technical). It’s totally free from alcohol, preservatives, or anything else your piercing hasn’t asked for.

Just spritz and go to flush out nasties, calm irritation, and keep your conch looking cute while it heals. No fuss. No burn. No mucky mishaps. It’s:

• Perfect for on-the-go conch care
• Gentle but powerful for both outer and inner conch piercing hygiene
• Non-aerosol and eco-friendly

So, go ahead and use this 30ml of pure piercing love daily, to treat your conch kindly, and let your body do its healing thing. A great conch piercing deserves great aftercare, after all. And even greater conch jewellery once you’ve done the healing part right.

Your piercer might recommend switching to a shorter post once the swelling goes down. This downsizing typically happens 8-12 weeks in. Although it’s subjective and depends on how your body rolls.

But once you’ve healed… it’s time to play. The styling options are endless when you’re ready to switch out your labret stud for something more statement-making.

So, what’s it going to be? The choice is yours from the edgiest and most popular conch jewellery around, such as:

• Seamless conch hoop in a kaleidoscope of different designs and materials
• Dramatic clicker in a delicate or daring style
• Dangly chains for a grungy twist

And don’t forget to pay attention to what they’re made of, besides what they look like.

Not all commonly available jewellery materials make for suitable conch earwear. After all, we’re talking cartilage, not flesh-rich, squidgy lobes. And what looks good on Instagram might not be the best bet for your conch piercing.

So, let’s break down the best materials for both style and conch piercing healing:

ASTM F-136 implant grade titanium

High-quality titanium conch jewellery is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and built to last. It’s perfect for sensitive ears and long-term wear, especially during healing. No tarnish. No irritation. Just plenty of sleek, safe sparkle for your inner or outer conch piercing. You simply can’t go far wrong with titanium in terms of both comfort and care.

14k gold

Solid and strong, hypoallergenic, and endlessly elegant 14k gold jewellery adds a touch of luxe once your conch is ready to shine. Who else wants a timeless, tarnish-resistant conch hoop or stud with a touch of golden glam? We thought so. Why wouldn’t you?

Surgical steel

Think shiny, sleek, seriously sturdy, and polished to a flawless mirror finish. It’s durable, and ideal for healing or styling in most cases. But it can contain nickel. For this reason, titanium is your ride or die to keep sensitive skin irritation-free.

And there’s your piercing placement to think about too.

Still torn between outer or inner conch piercing? There are fundamental differences. So, it shouldn’t be too soul-searching to make the right choice for you:

Factors that might influence your conch piercing placement choice include:

• Your vibe - Subtle subversive? Or grunge god/dess?
• Your ear shape - Not all ear cartilage is the same length, width, and depth, after all.
• Your other ear piercings - Daith? Helix? Lobe? Rook? Think about the overall look you want to curate, both now, and in the future.

One thing’s for sure. These two piercing types are also a double bubble when it comes to the sheer volume of sick conch jewellery looks waiting to be created.

Curated ears are still having a moment. And your conch piercing is a natural leader of the stack.

In fact, there are almost too many ways to stack with style. For example:

• Mix and match hoops, studs, and cuffs
• Use chains or connectors for a punk-inspired twist
• Keep your colour scheme consistent (All gold? Dreamy) or inspired in its inconsistency (Mismatched neon and semi-precious gems? Also dreamy)
• Use your conch as the centrepiece - Think of it like balancing the ‘head concho’ with lower and upper ear piercings

So, fill your boots on a conch jewellery spending spree. But remember to always keep health and safety front of mind in case anything goes rogue.

Stuff can go a bit sideways, even with the best care. This is why it makes sense to get genned up about common conch curveballs like:

Irritation bumps

These tedious lumpy lurkers are usually caused by pressure or snagging. But be thankful for small mercies they’re not keloids! Don’t panic. Just lavish your conch piercing with LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray. And FFS stop sleeping on it.

Soreness or swelling

Discomfort and even pain can mean your jewellery’s too tight. Or you could be having an adverse reaction to your conch jewellery material. If this happens, you might want to pay your piercer a visit before Dr Google convinces you your ear’s falling off!

Infection

Head straight back to your piercer if there’s pus, heat, or severe pain. They might advise you to escalate the problem to your GP if necessary.

Q. Can I sleep on a conch piercing?

A. Not if you want it to heal properly without any hitches. Invest in a travel pillow or sleep on the other side for the time being.

Q. When can I switch to a conch hoop?

A. Once you’re fully healed, which is usually around the six months mark. Be patient. It’s worth it.

Q. Can I wear headphones?

A. Avoid over-ear headphones on the pierced side during healing. If you must use earphones, opt for a single earbud on the opposite side only.

Q. Can I get both conchs pierced at once

A. You can. But good luck finding a comfy sleeping position. This is one of the main, common-sense reasons most piercers recommend one at a time.

Q. Will it close if I take it out?

A. Eventually, yes, especially if it’s not fully healed. Generally, it’s best not to remove conch jewellery unless you’re done with the piercing.

The conch piercing is an ultimate style chameleon. It can be dainty and discreet or loud and luxe. Better still, it’s completely down to how you wear it. And trust us, you’re gonna wear it well.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, you’ll discover a treasure trove of handpicked, high-quality, and 100% alternative lifestyle-approved conch jewellery.

Check out our full range. There’s something for every conch, whether you’re preparing to get pierced, or already healing and wanting to upgrade your stack.

Still unsure about hoops vs studs or inner vs outer? Drop us a message. We’re all piercing pros who’ve been there, done that, and got the healed holes to prove it!