EAR PIERCINGS | Sharkbite Piercings

lobeS

STANDARD GAUGES: 18g or 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 3 months on average

PLACEMENT: Soft lower tissue on the ears (lobes).

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: If pierced with a flat back stud (a good piercer will), be sure to check back at 3 - 8 weeks for downsizing to avoid an angle change.

Many people end up having these done near birth or at a very young age. They are very common among young girls and a cute addition to anyone's ears.

Although the piercing gun method has been the most common, it is still advised to avoid the gun as it can cause long term or possibly permanent damage to the skin it pierces. See here (link pending) for more information on why piercing guns are advised to be avoided.

NOTE: Try to avoid calling your second pair your "doubles". When you call them doubles, it just means you're doing two of a piercing and can be applied to anything and doesn't necessarily refer to lobes (double helix, double nostril, you get the idea).

Correct terminology would be "second pair of lobes" or replace with the correct pair it is.

stacked lobes

STANDARD GAUGES: 18g or 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 3 months on average

PLACEMENT: Soft lower tissue on the ears (lobes).

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: If pierced with a flat back stud, be sure to check back at 3 - 8 weeks for downsizing to avoid an angle change.

Variant on a typical lobe, but instead features two studs stacked over one another. Great way to offset lopsided piercings with a nice flair or just a neat addition to any piercing collection!

helix

AKA CARTILAGE

STANDARD GAUGE: 18G - 14G depending on thickness of tissue, item being installed and placement.

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENTS: Anywhere above the lobe near the outer curl of the ear (helix).

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud advised.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: If pierced with a stud, be sure to check back at 3-8 weeks for downsizing to avoid an angle change.

Cartilage is typically regarded as a first "non lobe" piercing, and is good for people who want to venture into the world of piercing without a crazy commitment. Average healing time of 6 months, although it can take longer given that the area is susceptible to being hit/laid on easily. Incredibly important to avoid sleeping on it during healing.

vertical helix

NAME(S): Vertical Helix

LOCATION: Center top of the Helix curl

STANDARD GAUGE: 18G to 14G

STANDARD JEWELRY TYPE: Labret Stud, Barbell

AVERAGE HEALING TIME: 6 - 12 months

DOWNSIZE: 3 - 8 weeks

Similar to the HELIX piercing, instead sits more vertically and goes through the helix curl. Very uncommon piercing although some people will consider this almost like a very far back forward helix.

conch

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g or 14g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENTS: In the conch of the ear (inner bowl)

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud highly recommended. Hoop can be used but will be upsized by a size or two above what you will be fitted for. Hoops create a much more difficult heal, so it is advised to begin with a stud, and swap to a fitted hoop once well healed (9 to 12 months)

VARIANTS: Inner Conch, High Conch, Low Conch, Outer Conch (considered a flat)

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: 3 - 8 weeks, especially if movement becomes excessive.

HOOPS: Conches are not recommended to be pierced with a hoop to start as to accommodate properly for swelling you would need a rather large diameter, and most people don't fancy the look. It also increases the risk of being hit. You will also need to clean the entirety of the ring or you risk infection being rotated into the fistula. It is best to stick the stud out for the duration of your healing, and then swap to a nice, tight fitting hoop once it is well healed.

MASK WEARING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Be aware that by having this piercing done, there is a risk it may not heal well due to the mask loops. You MUST be careful with it and take your time putting on/removing your mask. It is strongly encouraged to buy a tie back style mask. Do your best NOT to touch it at ALL unless you are cleaning it. The more you interact with it, the more likely it is to develop problems.

orbital

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g - 14G

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 9 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENT: Varies - any two points connected by one piece of jewelry.

STARTER JEWELRY: CBR (hoop) or two individual studs, later connected by a ring

Not to be confused for a conch with a ring in it.

Orbitals are a really cool piercing, but can be difficult to heal. For some it may be easier to have two separate piercings done and connect them after they have healed. Be sure to mention to your piercer that you plan on an orbital so they can size accordingly.

industrial

STANDARD GAUGE: 14g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 9 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENT: Through two separate points of the helix curl.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: 4 - 6 weeks

Nothing colored or coated should be placed into it until it is completely healed. Black jewelry is possible, but must be quality. Niobium is an excellent choice to get the look of black. White gold can also be blackened, but will be pricier. Avoid anything PVD plated.

ANATOMY DEPENDENT: This piercing is anatomy dependent so not all persons are suitable candidates. If you want to get this piercing, I will evaluate you when I take you back for your procedure whether or not we can proceed.

BACKUP PLAN: If for any reason you have an industrial and it's not working out, or want one and are not suitable, look into the faux industrial. (See below)

faux

industrial

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENT: Through two separate points of the helix curl - with separated jewelry that is later connected when healed.

STARTER JEWELRY: Pierced as a helix and forward helix or another helix depending on anatomy needs. Should not be connected until after healed.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: 4 - 6 weeks

Faux industrials are a great way for people who have already invested into a failing industrial (granted it's at a point of still being saved, and the angles are okay) or simply don't have the curl to support a tradition industrial to have a similar look. They will also heal quicker due to no strain from the connected barbell of a true industrial. This piercing is always truly unique as it will always vary on placement from person to person but looks beautiful no matter what.

*This is not pierced by me, but is worn on me. I will replace the image when I have one!

ROOK

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 9 months on average

PLACEMENTS: In the crux of the antihelix (flappy ridge)

STARTER JEWELRY: Curved barbell or upsized hoop.

DOWNSIZE: Not needed, optional

Really cool addition to those who have the anatomy to support it. Rooks can sometimes be pierced with an upsized ring, but is anatomy depending, as there must be enough clearance for it to sit well and heal correctly. Curved barbells are usually preferred to heal with.

faux rook

ALSO KNOWN AS: Shin Min

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 9 months on average

PLACEMENTS: In or near the crus of the ear but instead goes through the back of the ear. Faux rooks are pretty much a very inset flat piercing.

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud only.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: 4 - 8 weels

This piercing is not for everyone and can be an extremely difficult heal due to the placement. Please be aware of this before undergoing the procedure.

daith

**LUCINA'S FAVORITE PIERCING TO PERFORM**

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g - 14g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 9 months on average

PLACEMENTS: on the innermost piece of the helix ridge near the ear canal entrance

STARTER JEWELRY: Hoops or Horseshoes only. Curved barbells move and flip around a lot and are more prone to having a harder heal.

MIGRANE: This piercing has not been proven by any medical professionals to be a recommended treatment for migraine relief. While some clients report finding relief, please understand piercers are only piercers and that we are specifically trained to pierce, and that we are not doctors, and will be placed according to the placement your anatomy calls for. Remember to treat it like a piercing/wound first and a treatment second. If not taken care of, it could lead to serious complications (just as any other piercing is capable of).

flat

ALSO KNOWN AS: Scapha, Floating Helix

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENTS: In the scapha (flat) zone of the upper part of the ear cartilage.

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud only.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: Be sure to check back at 3 - 8 weeks (4 - 6 is golden time) for downsizing to avoid an angle change.

Almost identical to a helix, but instead is placed further into the flat area of the ear (scapha). Gives a very unique look and is great for large items to be shown on the ear well.

forward helix

ALSO KNOWN AS: Anti-Helix

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 9 months on average

PLACEMENTS: In the front part of the curl (helix) closest to the face.

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud only

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: Be sure to check back at 1 - 2 months for downsizing to avoid an angle change.
Incredibly important to avoid sleeping on it during healing.

Tragus

STANDARD GAUGE: 18g - 16g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 6 - 9 months on average

PLACEMENTS: Anywhere on the sides of the nose, below or near the crease.

STARTER JEWELRY: Stud highly recommended.

DOWNSIZING REQUIREMENTS: If pierced with a flatback stud, be sure to check back at 3 - 8 weeks to avoid an angle change.

HOOPS: The Tragus is not recommended to be pierced with a hoop to start as to accommodate properly for swelling you would need a rather large diameter, and most people don't fancy the look and it may press in other areas. It is best to stick the stud out for the duration of your healing, and then swap to a nice, tight fitting hoop once it is well healed.

anti-tragus

STANDARD GAUGE: 16g - 14g

APPROXIMATE HEALING TIME: 9 - 12 months on average

PLACEMENT: triangle above the lobe, adjacent to a regular tragus

STARTER JEWELRY: Curved barbell highly recommended. Hoops are a soft no as the size is usually much too big to heal properly. Unless your ear has pretty sufficient room, CBB is the best way to go to get through your healing. This piercing can already be somewhat finnicky so it is extremely important to baby it.