15 Types Of Ear Piercings & All You Need To Know Before You Get One

There are so many types of piercings, but in this article, we'll focus on the ones that are most stylish and easy to maintain at the same time.

Most of us got it when we were three (thanks, Mom!) and never really gave them up, so this one goes without saying. The lobe piercing is by far the most common and the easiest one to maintain. It also goes with all kinds of earrings – from studs and huggie hoops to heavier danglers. If we have any late bloomers or men reading this, this one is the best one to go for if you're just testing the waters as it heals quickly and will give you a good idea of the maintenance required for a fresh piercing.

Pain Rating: 0/10

Healing Time: 1 month

Recommended Earrings: Literally everything

Another common one, helix is the piercing that sits at the top on the ear on the highest point. It's a tricky one to get since the cartilage folds in and you've to make sure that the earring would be visible at the point where you get it. Helix is also one of the spots that take the longest time to heal. This is a great choice for those who have visible inner cartilage as you can go for even tinier studs here. If your cartilage is not as visible but have your heart set on this spot, go for hoops. You can also consider letting it sit a little lower, and going for a bigger earring.

Pain Rating: 2/10

Healing Time: 3-4 months

Recommended Earrings: Hoops, Tiered Studs

My personal favourite, and frankly the most stylish second piercing to have is on the upper lobe. Depending upon the size of the earrings you have in mind, you can figure out the closeness you would like it to have with your lobe piercing. These are again easy to maintain, very quick to heal, and open you up to the very fun world of ear stacks. I highly recommend going beyond the expected stacking of hoops eventually, and experimenting with a hoop and a stud, multiple studs, or even chain ones that can be interconnected with the lobe piercing.

Pain Rating: 0/10

Healing Time: 1 month

Recommended Earrings: Hoops, Clear studs/diamonds

A very bold yet very fun choice, this one is not for those with a low pain tolerance. A tragus piercing is perfect for those looking for something out of the ordinary that looks sophisticated. If you only have two or three piercings closer to the lobe and want to elevate the look of your ear and add an edge to it, this one is a straight-up no-brainer. It pinches quite a bit while and post getting it done, and might be accompanied by headaches for a few days (that will feel very worth it once it heals). Be extra careful of combing your hair, pulling your hair back, or drying it with towel while it heals as you don't want it to get infected.

Pain Rating: 8/10

Healing Time: 2-3 months if careful

Recommended Earrings: Tiny, almost non-existent white studs

Easily the most interesting one in the list, because of both — the placement and the effects it has (for some). Daith piercing is done in the cartilage right above the Tragus, in the anti-helical fold. It is also said to relieve headaches and migraines, and is recommended by naturopathy experts for those who have tried everything but the headaches just won't budge. Aesthetically, it is the perfect spot in the ear to stick in a dainty hoop.

Pain Rating: 8/10

Healing Time: 2-3 months if careful

Recommended Earrings: Thin hoop

A little lower and set in the middle is the flat helix piercing, a great option for those whose helix is barely visible. This is a great spot as you can really go OTT here, and add a drop earring or a stud that is bigger or more detailed than a simple stone or cluster of stones.

Pain Rating: 4/10

Healing Time: 1 month

Recommended Earrings: Bigger studs in different shapes

A little tricky to get, the inner conch piercing comes right through the middle shell of the ear, which is known to be the thickest piece of cartilage on the ear. But if you ask us, it's totally worth the pain. Tip: You'll need to avoid wearing earbuds for some time since it can irritate your piercing.

Pain Level: 6/10

Healing Time: 3-9 months

Recommended Earrings: Studs, Hoops, Barbells

Very uncommon, and such an exciting spot on the ear to get a piercing. If you ask me, this is where you make the statement – either by getting multiple piercings next to each other, imagine the size gets progressively smaller, or by wearing a creatively shaped stud, like a lightning bolt or a crescent moon.

Pain Rating: 6/10

Healing Time: 2-3 months if careful

Recommended Earrings: Studs

If you're someone whose style can be best defined as edgy and gothic, this is the piercing to add to your stack. Industrial piercings are those where one earring goes through two piercings, typically one on the front helix and other on the helix (however, you can angle it as you like). The earrings available (those available in India, atleast) for these piercings tend to be thicker than your usual options, and hence tend to hurt more and take more time to heal. It is also worth noting that both helix and front helix take more time to heal and are spots where hair tends to get in the way a lot, so extra care is needed.

Pain Rating: 10/10

Healing Time: 6-8 months if careful

Recommended Earrings: Cuffs, Barbells, Hoops, Studs

If you're looking for something slightly offbeat, a rook piercing is perfect for you. Located in the inner cartilage, a rook piercing looks best with dainty hoops. Since it's a cartilage piercing, it may hurt a little at first, but with great style comes some discomfort, so don’t worry too much about the throbbing.

Pain Level: 6/10

Healing Time: 3-10 months

Recommended Earrings: Hoops, Studs, Barbells

Conch, or known in India as the Kashmiri style of piercing, this one is for those who mean business. Set in the thickest part of the ear, conch is the area inside the ear (and pretty tough to go through). A bigger, shinier stud would look great here as it is set very deep in the ear and hence, would not look too loud.

Pain Rating: 10/10

Healing Time: 7-10 months

Recommended Earrings: Studs

Love minimalism? Then this piercing is the right fit for you. As the name suggests, it is located between the lobe and the helix on the outer portion of the ear. Hoops and studs are best suited for a mid-helix piercing. What's more? It is not as painful to get since the cartilage is thinner for this area.

Pain Level: 3/10

Healing Time: 3-9 months

Recommended Earrings: Hoops, Studs

Need a hug for your ears (pun intended)? This snug piercing will fit perfectly! Also known as the anti-helix piercing, this one is considered the most painful of the cartilage piercings. But don’t fret! The results are stunning, adding an aesthetic touch to your overall look. For earrings that complement this piercing, consider small hoops or curved barbells, as they are delicate and dainty.

Pain Level: 9/10

Healing Time: 4-6 months

Recommended Earrings: Cuffs, Hoops, Decorative studs

If you're flirting with the idea of stacking close to but not on the lobe, the anti-tragus is the right spot to experiment with. Especially if you're someone who prefers wearing tiny earrings stacked closely together, this one would look superior. Again, this is not the easiest spot to get a piercing as it is quite thick.

Pain Rating: 9/10

Healing Time: 6-8 months

Recommended Earrings: Hoops, circular barbell

Pierced directly above the typical lobe piercing, a stacked lobe piercing, like the name says, looks like a vertical 'stack'. Since its a lobe piercing, the pain and healing time are optimal for those who can't bear too much discomfort. If you're seeking to modernise your earscape without the pain, this is the ideal option for you. Go get pierced STAT for an eclectic look!

Healing Time: 6-8 weeks

Recommended Earrings: Studs

How soon can one change the earrings?

It is recommended to let the piercing heal completely before changing the earrings, but 6-8 weeks is the minimum amount of time you should wait. Please note: Do not, ever, take off your earrings while the piercing is infected, unless you are okay with the possibility of the hole closing up.

What to do if the piercing gets infected?

Clean the piercing using a gentle soap and pat it dry, and apply a few drops of an anti-septic such as Betadine to the infected area for a few days.

1. It is advisable to get piercings in one ear at a time so that you can sleep on one side without hurting them.

2. A fully valid desi nuskha is to use turmeric mixed in warm ghee as an anti-septic. A few drops on your piercing, at least thrice a day, should help it heal with ease.

3. If your piercing gets infected repeatedly, it could be that a particular metal or alloy is not suiting your skin. It is always better to go for gold or silver earrings for fresh piercings to avoid sensitivity and infection.