A conch piercing can be an utterly captivating way to accessorise your ears. Subtle, yet eye-catching, they add an extra sparkle which will turn heads. Whether you style them with a minimalist stud or as part of an elaborate ear stack, a conch piercing can complement any look. Use our guide to discover everything you need to know before getting your conch pierced, from style tips, to advice on the piercing process.

Table of Contents:

• What Is A Conch Piercing?
• How Long Does a Conch Piercing Take to Heal?
• How Painful Is Conch Piercing?
• Get Your Conch Piercing with Monica Vinader
• How to Prepare for Your Conch Piercing
• Types of Earrings For Your New Conch Piercing
• Caring For Your New Conch Piercing

What Is A Conch Piercing?

A conch piercing is a specific type of cartilage piercing. It gets its name after a conch shell since the fold of the ear somewhat resembles the spiral of the shell. Located in the middle of your ear, your conch can be found just above where the soft ear lobe turns into harder cartilage.

With the emergent trend of curated ears, conch piercings are becoming more popular. Whilst they can look effortlessly gorgeous on its own, they can also flawlessly mix and match with lower lobe piercings or a helix piercing. This versatility makes them a great addition to any ear.

How Long Does a Conch Piercing Take to Heal?

Conch piercings usually take between 6 to 12 months to fully heal. This is longer than soft-tissue piercings because the hard cartilage requires more time to recover. However, in our opinion conch piercings are well worth the wait.

As with other cartilage piercings, you may think your conch has healed before it is. This is because the recovery starts with the skin and moves inwards. Don't panic if your conch piercing starts secreting fluid as this can be normal. All types of ear piercings are technically wounds. As a result, you need to follow the proper piercing aftercare steps for them to help them heal without complications.

How Painful Is Conch Piercing?

Conch piercings are generally considered to be towards the more painful end of the spectrum. This is because they go through a thicker part of the ear.

If you have a lobe piercing already, you can expect piercing your conch to feel slightly more painful. If you have any other cartilage piercings, the feeling should be similar. Overall, the pain varies from person to person depending on tolerance levels. You can get an idea of the sensation by pinching on your ear. After your piercing, the pain tends to dissipate in a fairly short time. With proper care, you should be able to enjoy your healed conch without any pain at all.

Get Your Conch Piercing with Monica Vinader

Transform your look and get a new conch piercing with Monica Vinader. Simply book a piercing and our experts will help you curate the ear of your dreams. Whether it is a one off addition or an entire ear stack you desire, our team can guide you through the process. You could even treat a loved one to our luxury ear piercing as a gift. Not only is it a memorable activity to do together, but it can also be a perfect way to mark a momentous occasion.

We can offer up to 3 piercings per appointment. Choose from lower lobe, higher lobe, upper lobe, helix, and conch piercings. These can be done all in one ear or split between both. Best of all, they can all be done in just 20 minutes! We only ever use hygienic, single use needles so you know your ears are in good hands. We'll also chat to you about the look you're going for and the best ways to style your new piercings.

How to Prepare for Your New Conch Piercing?

Once you have booked your appointment, there are a few ways to prepare for getting your conch pierced. Things you should remember are:

• Eat and hydrate - before your appointment, ​​eat a light meal and drink plenty of water. This can help you avoid any feelings of dizziness or nausea following your piercing.
• Avoid alcohol and blood thinners - consuming alcohol and substances such as aspirin or ibuprofen can thin your blood which may increase how much your piercing bleeds.
• Consider your hairstyle - keeping your hair away from your piercing when it is new can help prevent irritation and other complications. Bring or wear a hair tie or headband to your appointment so you can keep your hair out of the way.

Types of Earrings For Your New Conch Piercing

There are a few different types of earrings that look stunning when worn in a conch piercing. To start with, our labret earrings are the ideal conch piercing jewellery. They are comfortable to wear whilst your piercing heals, but still give off a luxurious sparkle. It is important to wait until your piercing is fully healed before you change your earring. However after that, you can choose to adorn your conch with a whole range of earrings.

• Wear a statement earring in your conch for a special occasion or a dramatic evening look. Take our multi-colored sapphire huggie earrings for example. They instantly add a vibrant splash of colour that can brighten any outfit.
• Diamond earrings can be an utterly enchanting choice for the conch. This timeless gemstone is perfect for any occasion, endowing the wearer with an easy elegance as they glint in the light.
• A simple hoop earring in your conch can elevate your everyday outfits. This option can add some subtle glamour and step your outfit up to the next level.
• Try an ear cuff alongside your conch piercing to accentuate it. Style a sterling silver earring with a solid gold one to create a unique and edgy look. Or stick with a theme and create a coordinated ear stack that appears effortlessly chic.

However you wish to style your conch piercing, you'll find limitless combinations with our collections.

Caring For Your New Conch Piercing

Caring for a conch piercing is essential to help it heal properly. At your appointment, we will provide piercing aftercare information to help you.

The key thing is to clean your piercing with an Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution. This is the only cleanser your piercing needs. The salty solution can help to flush out your piercing, remove any discharge, and help to keep it clean. We recommend using this twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Do this every day for the duration of your healing and your conch should recover healthily. Also, remember to keep your earring in until your piercing is fully healed.

Conch piercing aftercare doesn't stop once your ear has healed. There are steps you can take to help keep your conch free from infection and in the best condition possible. One of the most important steps is cleaning your earrings. Dermatologists recommend doing this once a week to jewellery you wear regularly. You should also handle your earrings with clean hands when putting them in and store them in a clean jewellery box to keep them safe. If you have any worries about the aftercare process, this is something our team would be happy to talk you through during your piercing appointment.

Sustainable Jewellery from Monica Vinader

At Monica Vinader, we create contemporary jewellery from sustainable materials. We use recycled metals and ethically sourced gemstones to craft beautiful pieces which can be cherished for years to come. Within our collections of rings, necklaces, and bracelets we have dainty everyday jewellery as well as eye catching statement pieces. Express your personal style and find a look you love today.