What is a Conch Piercing?

A conch piercing is located in the curved, inner part of the ear's middle section. With its relatively flat and spacious surface, it offers endless possibilities for piercing placement and jewelry styles. Protected by the outer ear structure, conch piercings are often easier to heal than other cartilage piercings, making them a popular choice across all genders and aesthetics.

At Lux Punk, we specialize in alternative, punk-inspired jewelry, but this guide is designed to help anyone considering a conch piercing.

Jewelry Options for Conch Piercings

Conch piercings are versatile, often featuring bold statement pieces or large decorative hoops in an ear cuff style. Most centrally placed conch piercings can accommodate both studs and hoops, with hoops typically measuring 10 –12mm in diameter for a comfortable fit.

Piercings in adjacent areas, like the contra-conch, are gaining popularity. These placements, found between the conch and the flat, create a unique look and work best with studs.

Pictured: A Titanium Bat stud in Tabitha’s centrally located conch piercing.

Anatomy and Placement

One of the best features of conch piercings is their adaptability to different ear shapes. Your piercer will assess your anatomy and help determine the ideal placement based on your preferences—whether you’re aiming for a stud, a hoop, or multiple piercings. If you plan to wear a hoop, make sure to mention this during the consultation, as placement near the edge of the conch is essential.

Pictured: A 12mm titanium hinged hoop in Tabitha’s conch. The ring fits comfortably without pressing into the edge of the ear.

Jewelry for New Conch Piercings

Avoid starting with a hoop! The thick cartilage in the conch can swell significantly during healing, and hoops can cause complications. For new piercings, a titanium flatback post is the best choice. Look for threadless or internally threaded posts—avoid externally threaded jewelry, as the visible screw threads can damage the fresh piercing during insertion or removal.

Conch piercings are typically done with 14g or 16g posts, which are slightly thicker than standard lobe piercings but not noticeably different to the eye. For those interested in bold modifications, the conch can accommodate large-gauge hoops or plugs, though this requires special techniques like dermal punching and should be thoroughly researched.

Pictured: A 4mm titanium cut star flatback stud in Tabitha’s conch.

Pain Level

Despite the thicker cartilage, a conch piercing is not especially painful. The piercing location provides easy access for your piercer, allowing for a smooth process. Some report hearing a "crunch" during the procedure, but this isn’t universal.

After the piercing, your piercer will clean the area and guide the jewelry into place. Most people feel fine afterward, though it’s normal to experience a few hours of hot, throbbing pain as the area adjusts.

Healing Your Conch Piercing

Healing takes time and care, but following the LITHA method (Leave It the Hell Alone) is key.

Quick Tips:

• Avoid touching, twisting, or bumping the jewelry.
• Use a ring-shaped piercing pillow to avoid pressure while sleeping.
• Monitor swelling—if the post starts to disappear into the swelling, visit your piercer for a longer post.

Cleaning Basics:

• Rinse with warm water in the shower daily.
• Use sterile saline solution (0.9% saline) for extra care. Avoid soaps, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.

Most conch piercings take 6–9 months to fully heal. Regular checkups with your piercer ensure proper healing and timely downsizing of the jewelry post.

For a detailed timeline and more care tips, read our full Healing & Cleaning Guide here.