Conch Piercing: Unveiling The Art Of Ear Styling!

Earscaping has a long history, with various forms of ear piercings found in cultures worldwide, including ancient civilizations such as mummified individuals adorned with conch piercing. Sailors traditionally pierced their ears and wore gold as a means to cover burial expenses in case of unfortunate events at sea.

Ear piercings were historically utilized in occult practices, believed to ward off negative spirits and protect the body. In certain regions, ear piercing served as a ritualistic act involving bloodshed for spiritual purposes. Additionally, it is purported to offer various health advantages, including enhanced metabolism, cognition, brain function, hearing, and eyesight, among others.

Nowadays, fashion magazines are enthusiastically highlighting how conch piercings and similar styles are setting a new trend in fashion. Some may wonder, “What piercing?”—guilty as charged!

Conch piercing it is!

Conch Piercing: A Fashionable And Unique Ear Jewelry Trend

There are various types of ear piercings, and one of the most trending is the conch piercing. Conch piercing, named after the spiral shape of the ear, serves as an ideal centerpiece for your ear adornments. Unlike other piercings, conch piercing involves cartilage, making it relatively more painful due to the thicker tissue. Therefore, opting for a conch piercing showcases your daring nature. Moreover, aesthetically, its placement allows for the stylish display of ear trinkets, thanks to its spacious area capable of accommodating chunky pieces. There are various types of conch piercings, each offering unique styles and placements to suit individual preferences.

Conch piercing In A Nutshell

Placement	Inner or outer cartilage conch piercings
Healing time	Anywhere between 3- 9 months
Cost	30-90$
Jewelry  options	Ring, hoop, stud, or bar
Pain level	Varies. Approximately 6/10
Potential risks	Changing Jewelry
Changing jewelry	Only after it is healed. Safe after one year.
Professional piercing studios	It’s a Must

Conch piercing can be done as inner conch piercing and outer conch piercing at the inner or outer part of the cartilage respectively. 

Conch Piercing Steps

👉Sterilizing the conch area to prevent infection.

👉Marking the site of the piercing according to the anatomy of the ear.

👉Piercing the area with a needle or dermal punch

👉Inserting the jewelry of choice.

👉Applying gentle pressure to the piercing to reduce bleeding and clean the area.

Benefits Of Getting a Conch Piercing

The ears contain pressure points connected to various vital functions in the body. Piercing ears at a young age was a tradition in many cultures, believed to enhance cognitive skills and memory, as well as promote reproductive health. Additionally, it was thought to increase sperm production in men.

When pierced at the right points these piercings can work wonders. A conch piercing in this middle bowl area of the ear can help with chronic pain management and relaxation. As this part of the ear is connected to the sacral sine, lumbar vertebrae, and thoracic vertebrae it can greatly help with spinal or lower back pains.

The conch piercing is also said to reduce migraines and stress. It will help regulate the flow of energy in the body. It can help with the eyesight and the auditory wellness. A conch piercing specifically targets the pressure points that help you with relaxation and wellness. Just like Conch Piercing, Smiley Piercing is another happening trend, adding a touch of edginess to modern fashion.

Conch piercing is a stylish trend that adds a touch of dandy to your look, showcasing your daring personality despite the discomfort it may entail. Its versatile placement allows for the stylish display of ear accessories, positioned away from the ear’s edges, granting freedom to style your hair without concern for the piercing.

Cost Of Conch Piercing 

How much are conch piercings? Conch piercing expenses typically range from $30 to $90, depending on the selected professional body piercing salon. It’s crucial to choose a reputable establishment, as opting for a cheaper option may increase the risk of infections or scarring.

Conch Piercing Jewelry Options

Conch Piercings also offers you different styles to pick from depending on your personal taste and aesthetic.

Types Of Jewelry:

The types of jewelry that can be used on a conch piercing are:

Conch Piercing Stud

Studs are vouched for by every specialist in the field as it is small and easily manageable during healing. It is also easy to remove and change.

Conch Piercing Hoop

Clicker rings or hoops are preferred by people who want to change their jewelry often.

Choosing the Right Jewelry

At first, prefer studs with a flat base so that the ornament will be snug fit so that it does not move around and interfere with the healing process. Also, choose a stud with a longer axis as it will allow enough room in case there is inflammation following a conch piercing infection. 

You have the option to select from various jewelry trends to suit your preferences, including minimalistic, bohemian, gem-studded, or industrial designs. Minimalistic designs appeal to those seeking a simple, understated look, while industrial designs feature bold geometric or industrial-inspired motifs. Bohemian pieces are characterized by intricate and cozy styles, whereas gem-studded jewelry exudes elegance with its choice of gems. Additionally, there are feminine pieces adorned with butterflies, bows, and flowers, making the piercing experience worthwhile.

Metals Used in Conch Piercings

Conch piercings are available in different metals. Some metals may not be suitable for some people. So, you can choose the metal of your liking, or one you are not allergic to.

Gold Or Platinum

The usual go-to’s that are safe on you would be gold and platinum. Gold and platinum are pragmatic best as they have been used on piercings for generations successfully without a hitch. Plus, they will not interfere with the healing process- rest assured. The pricing is definitely high.

Implant-Grade Titanium

This one is also a no-risk for you. But if you are sensitive to nickel, titanium should be shunned as it contains trace amounts of the metal.

Implant-Grade Stainless Steel

This is another metal that does not trigger any allergic reactions or flaking off which can irritate the piercing. This is also a safe bet especially if you are wearing it while healing the piercing. This is also a budget-friendly option many may choose.

Conch Piercing Healing Time and Pain

Are conch piercings painful? The pain associated with conch piercing is often described as slightly higher than other piercings, with some rating it around 6 out of 10. Since conch piercing targets the cartilage of the ear, which is thicker, the discomfort may be more pronounced. However, individual pain thresholds vary greatly. Fortunately, the sharp pain typically subsides within a few minutes after the piercing. To manage discomfort, you can practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques to divert your attention. Creative visualization or focusing on your mobile phone can also help distract from the pain.

Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than lobe piercings. If you can evade any major infection with proper aftercare, you will fully heal anywhere between three to eight months. If you are diabetic, it may take a tad longer. 

Speedy Healing Tips For Conch Piercing.

✅Clean the area with a sterile saline solution twice a day. 

🚫Avoid touching your new jewel to prevent skin irritation and infection.

🚫Do not touch the area without cleaning your hands thoroughly.

🚫Do not let any makeup residue sit there for too long.

✅Make sure your sunscreen, hair mask, hair cream, or moisturizer does not clump up near the piercing. Also make sure you do not smear anything that will agitate the wound.

✅Use healing creams or sprays after careful research. You can ask your piercer to suggest some good ones in the market.

🚫Avoid sleeping on the side of the piercing. Invest in a piercing-friendly pillow will do wonders especially if you love sleeping on the sides.

🚫Refrain from using cheap metal ornaments as they can flake off and cause irritation. Allergic reactions are also likely with some metals.

✅Use an antiseptic soap while cleaning the area.

✅Wait until you heal completely to change your ornament. It would be a good idea to go to the piercer to get it changed.

🚫Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or harsh soaps to avoid irritating the area.

🚫Avoiding heavy ornaments is also a must. Try to keep it as simple and uncomplicated as possible.

🚫 Avoid plunging into public swimming pools as the water may be contaminated making way for infections.

🚫Avoid fragrances in the area.

Risks Involved In Conch Piercing 

Conch piercing risks include the development of scar tissues, in case the piercing gets infected. This may delay the healing process. You may even opt to lose the piercing in some cases of persistent infections. It would be prudent for diabetic patients to check their sugar levels to be sure. They should get their blood sugar levels regulated before going for the piercing to ensure a speedy healing without many stints of infections.

Meddling with other accessories

You should be careful to keep the area dry with proper air circulation. Any kind of hair/ head accessory that will stand in the way should be avoided. You should be extra careful while removing or putting on your helmet as well. This is not an air pod-friendly piercing. You should be careful while using big headphones. 

There’s a risk of contamination when touching the piercing, so avoid fiddling with the conch piercing to prevent infection. If you notice swelling, yellow or green pus, blood oozing, skin discoloration, fever, nausea, etc., seek medical advice promptly. Proper care is essential once infected and refrain from removing the ornament yourself while the infection persists.

Under normal circumstances, the piercer will recommend a saline spray or saline soak for the infection. After rinsing the piercing, they should gently pat the area dry using a clean, disposable paper towel. A hot compress is also a good thing to do. Another risk of conch piercing is the infection when you change your ornament. You would indeed want to try different pieces of ear ornaments. But if you remove the conch piercing before it is healed properly, you may risk infections.

Risk of Infection from Lack of Hygiene

In case you are going to the parlor to color your hair or for any kind of hair treatment, make sure that you alert your hairstylist that you have a piercing that is relatively new. Their whole focus will be on the hair and it can lead to some unnecessary pulling and hair snags there while cleaning and drying the hair. Your word of caution will alert them. You should clean the conch piercing area and dry it properly after the hair treatment so that there is no residue that is lodged in there to spark off an infection.

The next risk is the sleeping position. It would be better not to sleep on the side you have the piercing. It would be better if do some planning and do the piercing on the side you do not sleep on. If you do a piercing on both ears, then you may have to sleep on your back.

There are ear piercing friendly pillows which will have a space or hole that you can place your ear on so that you can ensure proper air circulation in the region. You are also less likely to change the nature of the piercing and put pressure there while sleeping. Choosing these kinds of pillows can help you heal faster.

Keloid Formation

Those who have a family or personal history of Keloid formation should avoid doing piercings. Conch Piercing can result in excess scar tissue as well. Those wearing glasses or sunglasses also may confront the problems with specs poking the back of the earrings. You should also choose hairstyles that will not tug at your earrings. You should also avoid over cleaning as it can irritate the piercing and delay the healing process. Some may develop contact dermatitis after coming into contact with substances they are allergic to.

You could also risk getting abscess which is a collection of pus that develops in response to a bacterial infection that can be painful as well.

What Causes An Infection In Conch Piercing?

Conch piercing like any other piercing is not without a risk for infection. First comes first- be careful to choose the place for piercing after proper research to ensure that they are good in the craft alongside maintaining a sterile environment for piercing. Reusing the needles for piercing is another leading cause of infections. You should ensure that the needles used are fresh from the pack to avoid infections of any kind.

After getting your piercing done, there’s a natural inclination to touch it, particularly during the initial healing period when it may become itchy. It’s crucial to refrain from touching the area without first cleaning your hands, as contact with contaminated surfaces can introduce infection. Additionally, avoid bathing in potentially contaminated water sources such as swimming pools or hot tubs as a precautionary measure.

Conch Piercing : Show Off Rights

What’s the point of a piercing if you can’t flaunt your earscape? Opt for a piercing location that isn’t heavily covered by your hair, and consider a hairstyle or side part that highlights your piercing.

If you have done conch piercing on the duo, then make sure you find ways to show it out with the right hairstyle. Otherwise, the conch piercing will be redundant.

To enhance your style, carefully select the number and style of ear accessories to curate your ears. A balanced ratio of two accessories to one at both ends creates an appealing frame for your conch piercing. Choose a distinctive piece of jewelry to embellish your conch piercing and elevate your look!

Pssst…The good thing about the present times is that we can always cheat. Cuff rings are available which will make your dream of conch piercing a reality without the pain. You can remove it whenever you want! But if you are going for the real one, choose a piercer with a good reputation and sanitary workplace.

 Conch piercing sure is tough love. Choose your loves wisely 😉

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