A conch piercing sits in the middle of the ear, in the large bowl of cartilage, and is one of the placements that gives you the most options afterwards: a discreet stone that lies flat in the bowl, or a ring that wraps around the rim of the ear. Here is the whole guide: the difference between inner and outer conch, what it costs, how much it hurts, how to get through the healing and which jewellery to choose once the hole is ready.
What is a conch piercing?
The name comes from the conch shell, because the middle bowl of the ear looks like the inside of a shell. The conch area is the largest flat area of cartilage in the ear, so the piercing can be placed in several spots depending on the look you want.
Inner conch or outer conch?
- Inner conch sits in the middle of the bowl, close to the ear canal. It is worn with a flat-back labret, so the top sits like a small stone or ball in the middle of the ear.
- Outer conch sits higher up on the flat cartilage between the bowl and the rim. It can take a labret and, once healed, a ring that goes around the rim.
- Double conch is two piercings in the same area, usually one inner and one outer, or two stones side by side.
If you want to wear a ring later, tell your piercer beforehand. The placement decides whether a ring can sit nicely around the rim.
How much does a conch piercing cost?
The price at a professional piercing studio depends on the studio and the initial jewellery you choose, which is usually included. The jewellery afterwards is the cheap part: conch piercing jewellery starts from €5 at BY CARA.
Does a conch piercing hurt?
Conch goes through the thickest cartilage in the ear, so most people feel it a little more than a helix. The piercing itself is a short, firm pressure, and many describe a dull feeling rather than a sharp pain. The tenderness in the first days is worst when you touch the ear, lie on it or wear earphones.
Ask which hurts more, helix or conch, and most people say conch because the cartilage is thicker. The difference is small, though, and your experience depends on anatomy, technique and how you feel on the day.
Healing: 6-12 months
Cartilage has a limited blood supply and heals slowly. Expect 6-12 months before your conch is fully healed, even if it often feels fine after a couple of months. How to help the healing:
- Avoid in-ear earphones on that side. Earbuds sit right in the conch bowl and press on the piercing. Use the other side or over-ear headphones that do not touch the hole.
- Sleep on the opposite side, or use a pillow with a hole in the middle so the ear lies free.
- Clean with saline 1-2 times a day and otherwise leave the piercing alone. Do not twist the jewellery.
- Get a shorter bar fitted once the swelling has gone down. Initial jewellery is often a little long to leave room for swelling, and a bar that is too long can cause irritation.
Got a bump? Small, red bumps on cartilage piercings are most often irritation, typically from pressure while sleeping, earphones or jewellery that is too long. Find the cause and remove it, and most bumps disappear on their own within a few weeks.
Conch piercing for pain relief?
You may come across the claim that a conch piercing helps with pain because it sits on a point used in acupuncture. There is no scientific evidence for this. Choose a conch because you like the look. The same goes for daith and migraine, which you can read more about in our guide to migraine piercings.
Conch jewellery: labret or ring?
Once your conch has healed, you can switch freely between two very different looks from the same hole:
- Flat-back labret is the classic choice for inner conch. It sits calmly in the bowl of the ear and is the most comfortable for everyday wear. The usual length is 8 mm.
- Conch ring wraps around the rim of the ear and becomes a piece people notice. The most common diameters are 10 or 12 mm. Measure the distance from the hole to the rim and add about 0.5-1 mm so the ring has a little room.
The standard thickness for conch is 1.2 mm. All conch jewellery at BY CARA is made of titanium and surgical steel with a silver-tone finish, 18K gold plating or PVD coating. It is nickel-free, lead-free and waterproof, and made for healed piercings.
Questions and answers about conch piercings
How much does a conch piercing cost?
The price at a professional studio depends on the studio and the initial jewellery, which is usually included. Conch jewellery to change into after healing costs from €5 at BY CARA.
Which hurts more, helix or conch?
Most people find conch slightly more noticeable because the cartilage in the middle of the ear is thicker. Both are a short, firm pressure that is quickly over, and the experience is individual.
How long does a conch piercing take to heal?
6-12 months. It may feel fine long before that, but wait to change to a ring until the piercing is fully healed.
Can I wear headphones with a conch piercing?
In-ear earphones press directly on a conch and should be avoided on that side while it heals. Over-ear headphones that do not touch the hole, or the other side, are a better choice.
When can I put a ring in my conch?
When the piercing is fully healed, usually after 6-12 months. A ring moves more than a labret and can irritate a hole that has not finished healing. Ask your piercer whether the placement suits a ring.
What are the downsides of a conch piercing?
The long healing time and its sensitivity to pressure from sleeping and earbuds. On the other hand, it is one of the most versatile placements, because you can switch between a stud and a ring.
This guide is for general guidance. If your piercing is red, warm and tender for a longer period, contact your piercing studio or your doctor.
