You can find everything you need about 14 types of ear-piercings here

Never underestimate the power of earrings to transform your look. To see how earrings can transform an outfit, you only need to look at some of the most stylish celebrities, such as Zoe Kravitz and Kate Moss. They are a great way to add bling to your ensemble.

Multiple piercings have become more fashionable. Take a look at the celebs mentioned above for some inspiration. You might be interested in the idea that you have a collection of studs, hoops, huggies, and other piercings dotted across your ear cartilage to lobe. To learn more about these placements and their healing times, as well as how they suit your ear shape, click here.

We reached out to Sarah Munro (creative director and co-founder) of the Australian jewellery label SARAH & SEBASTIAN who was kind enough to share some insight on the subject.

What is an ear-piercing chart?

A ear piercing chart is simply a list of all the types of piercings that you can get, their locations and what they are called. Most common piercings include lobe and cartilage, but not all piercing studios can accommodate every type.

Munro says that piercers enjoy creating constellations or snakebites with piercings that are closely stacked together. We now offer nose piercings. In the future, we will be introducing daith (a hoop that huggs the cartilage inside your ear), and rook (the ridge of cartilage within your upper ear). Also, navel piercings will be offered towards the end. We pride ourselves on our piercing jewelry and are currently creating specific jewellery to fit these placements.

A few studios offer a service that can help you design or coordinate piercings to your ears. It’s “Ear Alchemy”, which Munro calls “magical transformation through the combination anatomy-specific piercings with our 18-karat Gold fine jewellery”.

She adds that the term refers to the styling element of our luxury piercing services, which involves trying out your personal style and discovering your ear anatomy.

Which ear piercing should you get?

Personal preference and the shape of your ear are important factors. Not every piercing method or arrangement is suitable for your anatomy. A lobe piercing, which is the most painless and fastest healing, is a good place to start if you are looking for something simple.

You don’t have to be able to heal earrings around your cartilage. However, they can offer beautiful results. If you want to achieve the Zoe Kravitz effect, with multiple planned-out piercings and stunning results, it is best to consult experts to create your design.

Munro says, “In the ‘Ear Alchemy” appointments, our expert tattoo artists will examine your ears and detail your unique anatomy. They will then suggest the best placements that complement your ears. The placement discussion also includes jewellery that you may be interested in, as well as pieces that will complement your new piercing. Our talented team of professional piercers can help you make the right choice and ensure that you are happy with your “Ear Alchemy” project.”

What are the various types of ear piercings available?

1. Lobe piercing

Healing time: 3-6 months

The most common ear piercing is the lobe piercing. They are located in the soft, fleshy area of the ear known as the lobule. Your lobes will vary depending on their size and shape. This zone can be pierced one-time or repeatedly.

2. Helix piercing

Healing time: 6-12 months

These are commonly referred to as “cartilage-piercings”, but a helix is one that occurs on the upper outer cartilage. It can be seen from the side shown to the edge of the ear.

3. Conch piercing

Healing time: 6-12 months

The conch is the inside of your ear, that little bit of cartilage that looks a bit like a conch shell (that’s why it got its name). You can pierce it with multiple studs or a cuff that wraps around your ear.

4. Tragus piercing

Healing time: 12-18 months

The tiny bit of cartilage that covers your ear canal is the tragus piercing. This is a great spot to place mini studs and hoops.

5. Rook piercing

Healing time: 6-18 months

The rook is pierced through the inner edge the highest ridge of your ear. This is a great spot to place a hoop or bar during healing.

6. Daith piercing

Healing time: 6-18 months

The daith piercing is located on the ridge beneath the rook and huggs the cartilage inside your ear.

7. Piercing of the high lobe

Healing time: 3-6 months

As the name suggests, a high-lobe piercing can be found higher than your normal lobe (but lower that the auricle).

8. Industrial piercing

Healing time: 9-12 months

Industrial piercings have a striking appearance. They are basically a straight barbell connecting one cartilage piercing with another on the upper portion of the ear. They can be difficult to heal because they are two piercings in a single.

9. Snug piercing

Healing time: 4-6 months

The next ridge of cartilage between the inner and outer conchs is where you will find a snug piercing.

10. Anti-tragus piercing

Healing time: 6-12 months

The anti-tragus piercing is located in the small, curved area just above your earlobe and adjacent to the canal. This is a great place to use micro studs or hoops.

11. Forward helix piercing

Healing time: 4-6 months

The forward helix is located above the tragus on the portion of your helix in front of your ears. It’s suitable to be pierced in multiple locations because it covers a large area.

12. Flat piercing

Healing time: 6-12 months

The flat piercing is not quite a rod and not quite an helix. It’s located below the upper rim in the ear.

13. Auricle piercing

Healing time: 3-9 months

An auricle-piercing can be described as somewhere between a helix and high lobe and a step away from a snug. Auricles are located in the fold between your outer fold and your earlobe.

14. Orbital piercing

Time to heal: 3-12 months depending on where you live.

Many orbital piercings are incorrectly called — it’s more than just a hoop that goes through your conch. An orbital piercing consists of two piercings that are connected by one hoop. They are common in the lobe area and the auricle, but they can also be placed anywhere on the ear that has enough room for two piercings.

Which ear piercings are the most painful?

It all depends on how much pain you are able to bear, but generally, lobes hurt the least and cartilage can be considered more painful. Munro says that everyone has a different threshold for pain and therefore it is difficult to judge which piercings are more painful than others.

“However, generally speaking, needle piercings are less painful than those done with a piercing guns and most people find that they are easier to receive and care for.”

How long does it take for an ear pierced to heal?

It all depends on where the piercing is located and how your body heals. It can take three to 18 months for a piercing, depending on where it is located. Lobe piercings heal the fastest, while cartilage takes the longest.

Munro says that some piercings may take up to one year to heal. Therefore, it is important to work on your look over time.

What is the maximum number of piercings I can have in one session?

It is not recommended to have more than four piercings in one sitting. While a single piercing may be manageable, having several can put a strain on your pain tolerance.

Munro states that piercers are allowed to perform three per appointment. This is to ensure that your body doesn’t become overwhelmed and to support the healing process.