Conch piercings are on trend and popular for a very good reason. They offer endless earring choices to adorn, right from studs and hoops to dangle and chain earrings. Conch piercing (pronounced ‘konk’) derives its name from the conch shell, which the ears resemble. Interesting, no? One of the highly customizable body piercings, conch piercings are an ‘it girl’ favourite. To learn more about this piercing style, keep scrolling…
When it comes to conch piercings, there are mainly two types: inner and outer conch piercings.
The outer conch piercing is placed in the upper part of the cartilage. It is usually embellished with a hoop that wraps around the ear ridge and faces outward. This piercing is in a more obvious spot and immediately draws attention.
The lower cartilage inner conch piercing is usually embellished with cartilage studs. The hole, in this case, travels straight through the ear’s ridge and is hidden within the ear’s inner curve. Inner conch piercings look extremely cool and edgy.
Types of Inner Conch Earrings
No matter what you choose, almost any earring looks terrific in a conch. Depending on your preferred earring style and the placement of your piercing, choose an inner conch earring that you love.
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Conch Studs
Conch studs are suitable for outer and inner conch piercings. There are plenty of shapes and designs to consider and the variety includes solitaire diamond and gemstone studs, trio studs as well as some exquisitely crafted floral studs and unique diamond earrings
in a wave or curved form. Keeping in mind the size of your piercing, you can choose from various earring styles, although small and cute conch earrings are the most popular.
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Barbells
Especially straight barbells are suitable for inner conch and they give an edgy look to your earring stack. A straight barbell resembles a stud and has a rounded ball on the back. Consider the length of the barbell for your piercing. The longer it is, the more uncomfortable it may get, especially while sleeping.
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Captive Bead Rings
Captive bead rings are hoop earrings with a single detached bead held in place by pressure from both sides of the ring. The bead can be removed and inserted to relieve the strain on the bead. Because they look excellent and are comfortable to wear, these are a popular choice for conch piercings.
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Clicker Rings
The hinged clasp that snaps into the other end, locks the ring in place at a ‘click’. This way you can differentiate clicker rings from other hoop rings. Wearing and removing clicker rings is a breeze. Plus, they add a bold touch to your earring game.
Also Read: What Are Hypoallergenic Earrings?
How Much Does the Conch Piercing Hurt?
Conch piercings are no more painful than other cartilage piercings. Cartilage piercings and conch piercings are both about midway on the discomfort scale. So, most people should be able to handle them.
Aftercare for Conch Piercings
Conch ear piercings can take anywhere from 6 to 10 months to heal completely, depending on how well you follow the aftercare instructions. Change the jewellery only when the initial healing is complete, no matter how tempting it may seem. This process can take up to six months. Touching or pulling the jewellery can lead to infection. Clean the wound at least twice a day and keep the piercing dry.
Since the cartilage area receives less blood than other body parts, it heals differently than your lip or earlobe. When it comes to any cartilage piercing, including the conch, there are a few things to remember.
- Take care with what you put in your ears. Headphones and hair can expose your piercing to bacteria that can lead to infection.
- Keep your piercing away from large items in the first several days after getting it.
- Pull back your hair into a ponytail.
- Allow your piercing to heal naturally.
- Keep your hands off the jewellery. Moving jewellery around the piercing site can cause damage to the skin, resulting in scarring and piercing bumps. While the jewellery is healing, do not twist or move it.
- This rule holds true even if you’re sleeping. Try not to fall asleep with your jewellery on. If you sleep on your side, it’s best to have your conch pierced one side at a time to avoid disrupting your sleep.
- Keep your ear clean at all times. Cheque for ear wax and dead skin around the piercing site.
- Use fresh sheets and pillowcases every night. Your cute conch earrings won’t look so wonderful when accompanied by bumps and redness. So, take all precautions to let your piercing heal happily.
Conch Earring Styles
The inner conch and the outer conch are the two styles of conch. While conch placement is determined by your cartilage anatomy, you must first select your chosen jewellery style.
In the outer conch, large hoops or silver conch earrings are very popular. The outer conch, which is located in the upper cartilage, is close enough to the ear rim to wrap a hoop around. For a sleek aesthetic, go with seamless hoops or clicker hoops. The latter is quite simple to use, and the hinged design works well with larger hoop sizes. A stud can be worn in the outer conch, although the hoop style (also known as an orbital) is favored.
For your inner conch, you’ll want to use a cartilage stud, barbell or a clicker hoop. Depending on your preference, you can have a stud with a flat disc back or a ball back.
Conch Earrings Styling Tips
There is a variety of piercing options to consider, whether you want to pierce your inner or outer conch.
You can play around with your middle ear cartilage with a double or triple conch and arrange your piercings vertically or horizontally. When coupled with a cartilage ear party, they look enticing. It’s a good idea to decide whether you want numerous conch piercings or just one before getting your first conch. Design how your conch clustre, luster accordingly and get your conch pierced one at a time. This is to allow your piercings to heal smoothly and simplify aftercare.
When Can I Change Conch Jewellery?
Do not remove or replace your jewellery until it has fully healed. Even though you might be excited to try a new stud or a hoop instantly, it is advisable to wait till your piercings are ready to be adorned – after all perfection takes time.
If you want to try a new cartilage ring or labret, stick to high-quality gold earrings. Visit Angara for more conch earrings ideas and other stunning earring alternatives.
FAQ
It’s not a good idea to use a standard lobe stud in it. Conch piercings are thicker than lobe piercings, hence smaller gauge earrings are suitable for them.
The outer conch can be pierced with a stud, but the hoop style appears to be the most popular. You’ll want to use a cartilage stud in the inner conch. Based on your preference, you can have a stud with a flat disc back or a ball back.
A conch piercing can be done with almost any sort of hoop as long as it has the correct gauge and has a large enough inner diameter. Barbells and flat back stud earrings are appropriate for inner conch piercings.
You can wear a number of jewelry styles in your conch. Two of the most popular types of jewelry are labret studs and barbells with a ball on the backside. Due to their positioning and proximity to the ear’s edge and barbells are ideal for inner conch piercings.
