Conch Piercing 101
If you have been considering getting a conch piercing but are still on the fence about it, Here are some basic facts to help ease your mind. Conch piercings are very trendy and can be styled in countless ways. The conch is located in the thick, bowl-shaped part of the ear while nestled in the lower cartilage of the ear.
The conch piercing has two types: the inner conch and the outer conch. The inner conch is located lower in the ear, while the outer conch is located closer to the helix. Refers to the inner cup of the ear, which gets this name because of its resemblance to a conch shell. Which type you receive will depend on your anatomy and desired look. Typically, you wear a labret/flat back stud in your inner conch and clicker hoops or bendable hoops in your outer conch. However, this piercing is very versatile, and you can get creative with your styling. Horseshoe barbells, curved barbells and captive bead rings are also very popular styles for this piercing.
This piercing is preformed with a standard piercing needle and is usually 16 gauge. Some piercers will use a 14GA or 18GA needle, but that is due to the anatomy or request of the client. Common lengths for this piercing are between 8mm and 12mm. Conch piercings will vary on the pain scale from person to person. Since the piercing is preformed through the thickest part of your cartilage, it will be more painful than a standard piercing. If you have received other cartilage piercings, you should be fine with the conch. On average, it takes anywhere between 3-9 months to fully heal. Like all piercings, you will want to sanitize the area twice a day with a saline solution spray like Neilmed. It is also recommended to avoid sleeping on your side during the healing process, as you may cause irritation and prolong your healing. It's very important to remember to wait until your piercing is healed before switching out your jewelry. Once your conch is healed, you can go wild with all the different styling choices you have.
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