Your conch (pronounced “konk”) is located at the end of your ear canal in the middle of your ear cartilage.
There are two conches: the inner and outer conches. You’ll find that the inner conch sits higher on your ear, while the outer conch is lower and more hidden. An outer conch piercing is situated inside the shell of your ear, near your AirPods. You can place a hoop or a stud in each.
To learn more about the pros and cons of conch piercing, watch this video.
How much will Conch Piercing cost?
Conch piercings can cost between $30 and $90. For any piercing, you need to choose the experience rather than the price; however, this is even more essential when you have a cartilage-based piercing that’s vulnerable to damage. Begin your conch in the right way and choose a reputable conch piercer.
Tips: Do not choose a piercer who employs a piercing gun. It is likely that they’re not a lot of experience. Furthermore, the gun used to pierce your ear could damage your ears.
How painful is a Conch Piercing?
As its cartilage puncturing the conch could appear severe on the scale of pain. It’s situated in a very large part of your ear, and it’s situated closer to the inside of the ear. Both of these factors could make it difficult to do.
But take a deep breath. The pain from this piercing is largely similar to other piercings, such as that of Helix or the rook.
Since the needle is passed through cartilage that is close to the ear canal, the sound of the piercing may be a bit loud, and it was more of the sharp, strong pressure.
The needle used for this procedure is the same size that the piercer will use to pierce the daith, tragus, or other ear parts. This means that you won’t see them dragging out the torture devices of the past. But, ultimately, you’ll have to evaluate the intensity of your pain on your own, and each person has their own tolerance to pain.
How Long Will It Take For My Conch Piercing To Heal?
Based on the area of the piercing as well as the weight of the jewelry, a needle conch piercing may take between 6 to 12 months to heal fully. Avoid touching the area or changing earrings until it’s fully healed, as conch piercings may be prone to infections.
Conch Piercing: Aftercare rules
Be mindful of the items you wear on your ears: The use of earphones, hats even your hair can expose the piercing to harmful bacteria, which could cause an infection. Within the first few days of receiving your piercing, be sure to protect your piercing from objects that are foreign to you. Make sure your hair is tied in ponytails.
Choose headphones that fit all the way to your ear, and do not put pressure on your conch that is piercing. Avoid wearing caps. Allow the piercing to heal and let it heal naturally without any disruption.
Clean and dry: The piercings of the cartilage, especially they are prone to bruises and other problems. Don’t be lazy in your post-care routines. Make sure that your ears are free of dirt, and also the piercing area does not include ear wax and dead skin.
Make sure to clean your pillows and sheets each evening: Conch piercings are good, but they don’t look cute when covered in bumps and marks. Make sure your piercing heals fast by making sure it is clean and dry.
Make sure you don’t rest on the jewelry: If you’re sleeping on your back, it may be beneficial to make sure that your conch is piercing only the opposite side in a moment to ensure that it doesn’t disturb your sleeping routine.
Be sure to keep pressure off of the jewelry: Moving the jewelry could result in skin trauma around the piercing area and can lead to complications such as piercing bumps and scarring. Do not twist or move the jewelry while healing, and this is also true during sleep.
When Can I Change the Jewelry?
Be careful with your fingers. Do not spin your jewelry or switch it out until your conch is completely healed. It is recommended to wait at least six months before you attempt to alter your appearance.
If you’re ready to experiment with an innovative cartilage ring or labret, be sure to use titanium or surgical steel, or gold jewelry that is of high quality. They are less irritating and can cause fewer harmful skin reactions.
Tips: It is also possible to request your piercer to change your jewelry. Because it is in such a specific location, it could take a couple of times to master changing the jewelry.
Conch Piercing: jewelry styles
Conch placement will be dependent on the anatomy of your cartilage, and you must also decide your preferred style of jewelry in order before selecting the location of your conch.
Large hoops are very popular within the outer conch. Within the upper conch cartilage, the outer conch is just close enough to the ear’s rim to put a hoop on the ear. It is possible to choose ideal hoop designs to create a shiny look or go for segments or clicker hoops. They are both simple to use, and the hinged design is great with larger hoop styles.
There is a way to put a stud on the outside of the conch; however, the hoop design (also called an orbital conch that pierces) appears to be the most sought-after.
Tips: In the conch’s inner, it is recommended to go for cartilage studs. Depending on the design you like, it is possible to select one with disc-like backs or a flat ball backing. The cartilage stud is great by itself with a single conch piercing or in conjunction with the cartilage cluster.
Why shouldn’t I get a conch piercing?
Make sure your conch piercer marks the exact location where you’d like it to be. Even a millimeter of distance can change your appearance.
You know conchs take quite a while to heal, therefore there are a lot of factors to take into consideration before making a choice.
If you’re genetically susceptible to scarring, avoid cartilage piercings generally. Hypertrophic scarring is common in cartilage piercings. And for those suffering from Keloids (a rare genetic disorder), it is likely that they will occur on cartilage piercings.
Tips: It is important to take good care of cartilage piercings. If you’re not active with your practice and routine, this may not be the right piercing for you.
Conch piercing: variations
In addition to deciding where to make a hole in the conch’s outer or inner conch, There are other ways to consider.
The double/triple conch allows you to get a little wild with your middle ear cartilage. Piercings can be stacked vertically or horizontally. These look great when paired with cartilage parties.
You should decide whether or not you’d like multiple conch piercings before getting your first conch so that you can plan how your conch cluster will look. You can get more than one at once, but for easier aftercare, you should get them one at a time.
