{"id":9428,"date":"2020-05-20T16:47:29","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T23:47:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neilmedpac.com\/ca\/?p=9428"},"modified":"2020-05-20T16:47:29","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T23:47:29","slug":"what-are-the-different-types-of-ear-piercings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neilmedpac.com\/ca\/what-are-the-different-types-of-ear-piercings\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Different Types of Ear Piercings?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The ear offers a huge canvas for piercings. The curves of the cartilage, as well as the versatile lobe, allow for a plethora of piercing choices.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With so many options, it can be difficult to decide the right piercing for you. Besides your own personal style, you need to consider healing times, whether your anatomy will allow for a certain piercing, what the piercing will look like with other piercings that you already have, and more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To help you decide on which ear piercing you want to get next, we\u2019ve put together a brief guide on the different ear piercings. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The lobe piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"lobe<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Certainly the most popular piercing on this list, the lobe piercing has been common for centuries. As the name implies, it\u2019s placed on the lobe of the ear. While many people choose to have their lobe pierced in the center or close to the center, you can get your lobe pierced pretty much anywhere.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Because the lobe is such a versatile piercing, many opt to get their lobe pierced multiple times. There\u2019s almost no limit to the number of lobe piercings that you can get (as long as there\u2019s enough room), so it\u2019s truly up to your personal preference.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The earlobe takes around 4 – 8 weeks to heal. Once it\u2019s fully healed, you can stretch your earlobes to fit larger gauge jewelry. Some people choose to stretch their lobes substantially and fill the stretched holes with plugs, which offer a bolder look.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The helix piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"a<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The helix piercing is probably the second most popular ear piercing. It takes place in the cartilage at the outer rim of the ear right below the apex. Like the lobe piercing, the helix piercing offers plenty of space to pierce, so it\u2019s not uncommon to see multiple helix piercings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Many people choose to wear hoops or circular barbells in their helix piercings, but your piercer will likely recommend you start with straight \u201cstud\u201d style jewelry, like a barbell or a flatback. This is because a straight channel is easier to heal with straight jewelry. Once healed, the piercing can be switched to a ring. . Cartilage takes longer to heal than fleshier areas, so you can expect to spend at least 6 – 9 months on healing.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The forward helix piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"forward<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Based on the name, you can probably guess where this piercing takes place: on the inner rim of the ear below the apex in front of where the helix piercing takes place. It can also be pierced multiple times, depending on how much space is available.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Daintier jewelry styles are more common with this type of piercing, such as cartilage studs with small gemstones, but you can also wear small hoops and circular barbells once you\u2019ve healed. Like the helix piercing, the forward helix piercing will likely take between 6 – 9 months to heal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The mid-helix piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"mid-helix<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This piercing is placed in the rim cartilage between where the helix and lobe piercings take place. Similar to the helix and forward helix piercings, it can be adorned with a variety of jewelry choices. You can also choose cartilage cuffs or shields for a more elaborate look.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Since this piercing is located in the cartilage, it takes around 6 – 9 months to heal. It is important to note that not everyone has the appropriate tissue in which to place this piercing, so discuss with your piercer if this is right for you.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The snug piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"snug<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you pinch the rim of your ear near where the mid-helix piercing takes place, you should feel a ridge of cartilage running alongside it, otherwise known as the anti-helix. This is where the snug piercing takes place.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unlike other ear piercings, both the entry and exit points appear in the front of the ear, creating a unique aesthetic. Curved barbells are the popular jewelry choice, but you can also wear hoops or circular barbells once healed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Despite the tight location of the snug piercing, it can be placed at any point along the anti-helix of the ear, as your anatomy allows; you have a lot of choice when it comes to the look of your snug piercing. Most people do not have the appropriate anatomy to receive a snug piercing, so the discussion with your piercer may lead you in the direction of a \u201cfaux snug\u201d piercing. The faux snug is actually two piercings, one in the conch, and one in the mid-helix. These are angled to give the look of a snug piercing when the anatomy isn\u2019t appropriate for a genuine snug.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The snug piercing is a very challenging piercing to heal, expect a healing time of around 9 – 12months.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The conch piercing<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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