Do you want to give your look a cool update? Then a conch piercing is just right for you - but there are a few things to consider.

Table of contents

1. How much does a conch piercing cost?
2. How painful is a conch piercing?
3. How long is a conch piercing painful?
4. How long does the healing take?
5. Does the conch hurt more than a helix?
6. How long should you not sleep on the conch?
7. What are the risks?
8. How do you care for a conch piercing?
9. Which care products are best?
10. Who should not get a conch piercing?
11. What variants of the conch are there?
12. How does the piercer proceed with a conch piercing?
13. Choosing a piercer – what you need to consider
14. Conch piercing jewelry: ring or stud?
15. The Ear Cuff as a Painless Alternative to Piercing

A conch piercing is a stylish and eye-catching ear piercing that sits in the auricle. However, it also involves a certain level of pain and a longer healing period. It is important to take good care of it and choose a professional piercer to minimize risks and support healing. We have summarized everything you need to know, from the price to the pain and the healing time.

How much does a conch piercing cost?

How expensive a conch piercing is depends on several factors, including the piercing studio, where you live and what initial jewelry you have put in. In general, however, you can say that the trendy piercing will cost you between 40 and 80 euros .

How painful is a conch piercing?

A conch piercing can be relatively painful as it involves piercing the thicker cartilage of the ear. However, the intensity of the pain varies from person to person and depends on individual pain sensitivity. The pain during the piercing process is often described as a sharp sting that only lasts a few seconds. Many people compare the pain to an intense but brief slap in the face.

How long is a conch piercing painful?

The duration of pain from a conch piercing can vary. Experience shows that a certain sensitivity and possible pain occurs immediately after the piercing. Which can last for a few days to weeks. In general, experienced people report that the pain is most intense in the first few days after the piercing and then gradually subsides. With a pierced version, the pain can last up to a week. But with a punched version it usually only lasts 1 to 2 days. If swelling or inflammation occurs, the pain can last longer.

How long does the healing take?

Healing a pierced conch usually takes between three and six months. There are various factors that can influence the healing time. These include the individual's ability to heal, the care of the piercing and the type of stress on the ear area. During the healing phase, careful care should be taken to avoid inflammation and other complications.

A punched conch typically has a shorter healing time of about two to four weeks because there is less tissue displacement and therefore less trauma. The punched method also minimizes pressure points and irritation, making healing easier. However, punching can cause more bleeding and causes more permanent changes to the ear tissue. This method is more difficult to reverse if you decide to remove the piercing.

Does the conch hurt more than a helix?

Yes, a conch piercing is generally perceived as more painful than a helix piercing (the piercing at the top of your ear). This is because the conch pierces through the thicker cartilage of the ear, whereas the helix is located on the thinner and less sensitive outer edge of the ear. The pain from a conch piercing is usually more intense and sharp. While the helix is often described as less painful due to the thinner cartilage.  

However, since the pierced area is located inside the auricle and not on the outer ear arch. This area is subjected to significantly less stress in everyday life and the healing phase can be shortened.

How long should you not sleep on the conch?

It is advisable not to sleep on the pierced side for at least the first four to six weeks after getting your conch piercing. Avoiding pressure on the freshly pierced piercing can help minimize pain and promote healing. Pressure on the piercing could also increase the risk of infection and complications such as the jewelry slipping or growing out.

It is best to sleep on the other side for about three to six months, i.e. until the piercing has completely healed, or to use a special piercing pillow that prevents pressure points.

What are the risks?

You should be aware that the conch piercing can involve some risks. Even if the body jewelry ultimately looks super cool, you should know about them in advance. The piercer must remind you of them again at the latest. But we have listed the information for you,

• When the conch piercing is done through the cartilage tissue, new connective tissue may form as the wound heals. If you experience pain or any problems, it is best to see your piercer or a doctor immediately.
• It is relatively harmless and quite common when the pierced or punched earring presses on the head due to its diameter and causes pressure points. You may already know this feeling from your studs, which, especially when you are lying on your side, can pierce the skin behind your earlobe. Not a very pleasant feeling.
• If the piercing becomes severely inflamed and the inner ear and lymph vessels are affected, in the worst case scenario this can even lead to damage to the facial nerve or paralysis. In this case too, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get everything checked out.

Due to the risk of painful inflammation or infection, we can only advise you against spontaneous piercing ideas while on vacation or in unclean studios.

How do you care for a conch piercing?

What are the dos and don'ts after piercing? Proper care is key.

The Dos

• Many piercers recommend a local antibiotic for the first treatment to counteract so-called wild flesh growths (yes, we shuddered too when we read that word).
• During the healing process, it is also recommended to use disinfectant sprays.

The Don'ts

• Do not remove the piercing until it has completely healed and you should also avoid touching it constantly. If you are too impatient, you are more likely to get an infection.
• In addition, you should not touch the area with water or soap when showering or sunbathing for the first four weeks.
• Anyone who takes blood thinners should avoid them, especially in the first few days after the piercing, but of course should discuss this with their doctor beforehand.
• Excessive pressure on the injured area must also be avoided, especially in the initial stages.

Which care products are best?

Anyone who decides to get a conch piercing will probably have already been recommended an antiseptic for the skin by their piercer. There are various products that support the pierced area in healing, counteract inflammation and speed up the healing process. We have put together five  care products that have already delighted hundreds of customers on Amazon.

• After Piercing Care Set with Spray and Gel
• Care spray for pierced skin
• After Piercing Spray for cleaning and caring for the skin and jewelry
• Optimal piercing care in drop solution

Who should not get a conch piercing?

If you already know that you are allergic to the piercing material, you should avoid it to avoid painful inflammation and rashes. A good and professional piercer will want to know about your illnesses and allergies at the beginning anyway . If you are about to have an operation and have to take thrombosis medication, you should postpone the appointment for the time being. This substance reduces blood clotting.

In general , pregnant women, diabetics and epileptics should also speak to their doctor or piercer beforehand, as piercing may not always be beneficial for these people. And: In Germany, only people aged 18 and over are allowed to get pierced. Minors are only allowed to have it with parental consent.

Whether pompous with glittering stones or very delicate and minimalistic - the right accessory for our ears can ensure that our look is super stylish without much effort. In addition to the well-known classic ear piercings, which are known in technical jargon as "standard lobes", the helix piercing has also become increasingly popular. All ladies who like things a little more extravagant should pay closer attention to this item: we are talking about the conch piercing ! We explain here what it is and what you should know before getting it pierced.

What variants of the conch are there?

There are different types of conch. The inner conch is pierced directly in the middle of the shell, and the outer conch is pierced in the hollow above the auricle and looks particularly elegant with a narrow or shimmering ring.

The hole created when the piercing is made can vary in size. However, since stretching the auricle is very painful, a standardized method is often used here, the "dermal punch". When the ear hole is punched, the cartilage tissue is punched out. Unlike with piercing, the tissue is only displaced by the needle - ouch!

In addition to the inner and outer conch, there are also other variants of this piercing, such as the orbital conch . This runs vertically, so that two holes are needed instead of just one through the cartilage tissue and the piercing ultimately circles the ear cartilage. The piercer will recommend a ball closure ring for the orbital, which is made of stainless steel or titanium and has a small ball - the absolute standard jewelry ring. Good to know: The pain when piercing the orbital is not said to be much greater than with the simple variant of the conch piercing.

How does the piercer proceed with a conch piercing?

What does the piercer do if you decide to have this body jewelry? As with any other piercing - be it  a tragus piercing ,  flat piercing or daith piercing - the skin should be thoroughly disinfected at the beginning. For an optimal result, the piercer then marks the puncture site. In particular with the inner conch, a reveicing tube (a protective tube) is often used during the piercing process, in which the needle is guided through the puncture channel, because the ear cannot be fixed with a clamp, as is usually the case. This tube ensures that counter pressure is created and surrounding tissue is not damaged.

Choosing a piercer – what you need to consider

The decision to choose a piercing studio you trust should never be taken lightly. Getting an unusual piercing on a beach holiday sounds like a great and totally crazy idea? Yes, the latter is definitely true, so it's better to leave it alone and enjoy the sun without having to worry about an infected ear. It is advisable to choose a piercing studio nearby, particularly because of the longer healing phase . Find out more here! Friends may even already have such a piece of jewelry and can help you make the right choice.

In the studio itself, you should make sure that sterile conditions are available. The piercer should use gloves and the tools should be disinfected in front of you. Cleanliness is the top priority here. When choosing the right studio, you should also make sure that the piercer explains the risks to you beforehand. If you cannot determine these things, you should avoid this shop.

Conch piercing jewelry: ring or stud?

Choosing the right piece of jewelry can be quite difficult. However, a so-called barbell, a metal pin with screwable balls, is usually used for the conch. A micro barbell is often used for the inner conch. The ball closure ring is used for the outer conch due to its oversized diameter, which should be between 10 and 16 mm.

What you should know: In many cases, changing the jewelry to a ring is only possible after the healing process. After that, you can vary it as you please.

The Ear Cuff as a Painless Alternative to Piercing

A little tip: If you just can't get used to the idea of having your cartilage pierced by a piercer and are worried about the healing time and the pain, you can follow the trend by getting an ear cuff. This is also the cheaper alternative to ear piercing.

The stylish jewelry is an ear clip that can be attached to different areas of the ear and can also be purchased in the form of the trendy conch piercing.

Read Next:: What is Lobe Piercing?