Ear Piercing Guide: types, styling, & latest trends

Probably the first piercing you got. The OG. The lobe refers to the soft lower section of the ear. If you're considering getting more piercings, getting two standard lobe studs/ rings could be a good place to start.

Styling Tips:

The Double-up, Hoop Stack, Constellations, Orbital, and Vertical Lobe

Healing Time: 6-8 weeks

Pain Threshold: 3/10

We present to you the edgy, yet dainty anti-tragus. The anti-tragus is the triangular flap of ear that sits above the lobe, opposite of the tragus. Traditionally done on the high point of the top of the lobe.

Styling Tips:

Add a twist to it by placing it slightly off center or trying a smaller ring, for a sweet little anti-tragus. 

Healing Time: 6-12 months

Pain Threshold: 4/10

Tragus piercings go through the thick cartilage right in front of the ear canal. This is a super cute spot for a little stud or hoop. Warning: wearing earphones may be a bit difficult when freshly-pierced.

Styling Tips:

The Double-up

Healing Time: 6-9 months

Pain Threshold: 5/10

Located on the outer ring or rim of cartilage of the upper ear. There's plenty of space here, so double and triple helix piercings are quite common. As with other cartilage piercings, the helix may take a year to fully heal.

Styling Tips:

The Snakebite, Constellations, Crawler, Orbital, or for a fresh take, try adding dainty studs above or below it. If you prefer hoops, stack a few up, spaced a bit apart from each other.

Healing Time: 3-6 months

Pain Threshold: 5/10

Quite similar to the helix (or rim), the forward helix piercing is done at the top front of the ear, or the front side of the helix. It offers the same subtlety as the classic helix. Both studs and hoops look great here.

Styling Tips:

Double, Triple. As an alternative, you can add a second or third piercing to make them more mysterious and edgy. Depending on how your hair falls, you can decide when to show it off. 

Healing Time: 3-6 months

Pain Threshold: 5/10

Located in the cartilage fold just above the ear canal, the daith piercing is said to relieve migraines and anxiety by simulating acupuncture needle pressure points, although it’s purely anecdotal.

Styling Tips:

Healing Time: 3-6 months

Pain Threshold: 5/10

Conch piercings are either done on the inner or outer conch, depending on the shape of your ear. The inner conch piercing is when a hole is punctured right through the middle of the ear to make way for a stud. There's also the outer conch piercing, where a ring can be worn around the outer edge of the ear's cartilage (hello, hoop earrings).

Styling Tips:

The Double-up, Hoop, Threader, Chain

Healing Time: 6-9 months

Pain Threshold: 6/10

Floating in the middle of the cartilage, this placement is ideal for versatile looks. A single hole allows for a major statement or a subtle touch, depending on what jewelry you select. 

Styling Tips:

Stack a couple or combine a few tiny studs together for a little ear constellation — the perfect blend of edgy and sweet.

Healing Time: 6-9 months

Pain Threshold: 6/10

Just above the daith sits a ridge, this is where you find a rook piercing. This spot is usually adorned with a hoop or curved barbell. Due to how important aftercare is for this area, healing times vary widely for this piercing. warning: be prepared for a day or two of throbbing pain.

Styling Tips:

Double hoops, vertically aligned with second lobe

Healing Time: 6-12 months

Pain Threshold: 6/10

An auricle piercing, also known as low helix, sits on the outer part of the ear, usually halfway up, between the ear lobe and the helix. Considering this is a cartilage piercing, you expect a longer healing time and more discomfort than a lobe piercing.

Styling Tips:

The Snakebite, Orbital, Dangling earring

Healing Time: 3-9 months

Pain Threshold: 3/10

The snug, also called the anti-helix, is the rim of cartilage in your ear that lies between the helix (outer cartilage rim) and the inner conch, just above the anti-tragus. A popular choice of jewelry for this placement is a curved barbell, since it tends to move less frequently, so it heals quicker. Despite its cute name, this piercing placement is among the most painful — ouch!

Styling Tips:

Opt for stacked hoops for a subdued (but suuuper cool) look.

Healing Time: 3-12 months

Pain Threshold: 9/10