Different Types of Ear Piercings: Here’s 15 Chic Piercings for You

Some fashion and beauty trends are evergreen and one of them is ear piercings. There are different types of ear piercings, and settling for one can be a challenge if you don’t even know what they look like. 

Chances are, you already have a lobe piercing, as that is a very common first piercing for young girls. Getting to know the type of ear piercing you want makes communication with the professional easier, as you already know what the piercing will look like. 

While double and triple love piercings seem to be the most common types, there are other cool-girl piercings that you can settle for. 

Keep scrolling to find 15 different types of ear piercings and the level of pain that comes with each of them.

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15 Different Types of Ear Piercings

There are several types of ear piercings and here are the 15 most common cool girl piercing you can choose from. 

1. Standard Lobe Piercing

standard lobe piercing

This is the most common of all the different types of ear piercings, as it is most individuals’ first piercing choice. Most females get their lobe pierced right after birth, and can get more placements later on. The lobe piercing ranks the lowest of 3 out of 10 on the pain scale. 

You may not even experience any pain from the piercing, just a pinch as the ear gets pierced. This is the best and most comfortable option for you if you don’t have any piercings beforehand. It takes only about a month or two to heal.

2. Flat Piercing

flat piercing

The flat piercing is located round the cartilage area, below the upper outer rim of the ear. You can get multiple flat piercings as this will give an ear constellation that tends to create a unique look. However, it is best to get the piercing one at a time. 

This piercing can be painful as it ranks 6-7 on a pain scale of 10. In addition, it takes between 3 to 10 months to heal completely. However, it is totally worth it.

3. Helix (Rim) Piercing

helix piercing

This piercing is placed in the upper cartilage of the ear, which is very versatile and cool, you can rock it with any type of jewelry. The cartilage around the area is thin and that makes the helix the least painful of all cartilage piercings. 

The pain measures a four or 5 on a scale of 10 and only takes between 3 to 6 months to heal fully. Nonetheless, it is important to note that getting a double or triple helix piercing can be very painful. Therefore, you need to consider your ear shape and how much cartilage you are piercing. 

4. Forward Helix Piercing

forward helix piercing

Similar to helix piercing, this type of piercing is placed on the cartilage. The piercing is done towards the front of your ear, near the bottom of your helix. Stud earrings look great on a forward helix piercing.

The pain level falls between 5 to 6 on the pain scale, and healing can take between 3 to 9 months. The piercing is easier to clean and maintain once it heals.  

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5. Anti-Tragus Piercing

anti tragus ear piercings

This is similar to the standard tragus piercing, the location happens to be the only difference. The anti-tragus is located on the small curved area of the cartilage above your ear lobe. 

This piercing is less painful as it is very close to the soft part of the ear. While it is very attractive, it is a very sensitive placement. It ranks between a 6 or 7 on a scale of 10 and takes about 6 to 12 months to heal. 

It is best to steer clear of headphones, earpods, and any other thing that can interrupt the healing process. 

6. Orbital Piercing

orbital ear piercings

Orbital placements involve connecting two holes with a hole. The placement is usually done on the ear lobe but can also be done on the lower part of the helix. This piercing is closely similar to an industrial piercing. 

On the pain scale, this piercing measures between a 4 or 5 out of 10 and can take between two to 3 months to heal. 

7. Transverse Lobe Piercing

transverse lobe ear piercings

Unlike the traditional lobe placement, a transverse lobe piercing is placed into the lobe rather than the regular front-to-back piercing. It is perforated into the lower ear. This piercing is done with hoop earrings, and only the balls are visible while the tiny bar runs through the earlobe. 

This is done with curved needles and curved earrings. The pain level is considerably low compared to other forms of piercing as it is still lobe piercing.

On a pain scale of 10, this piercing typically feels like a 4. It takes about 2 months to heal, but it can also take up to 10 months. It all depends on how fast your skin recovers. 

8. Snug Piercing

snug ear piercings

This is another cartilage piercing you can try if you want an edgy look. The placement sits along with the inner cartilage close to the outer helix. You should consider micro earrings for this as it gives it the best look. 

This type of placement happens to be the most painful of all ear piercings, as it falls on a 9 on the pain scale of 10. It takes about 4 to 6 months to heal, while complete healing can take up to 12 months. 

It is important to note that your ear shape determines your eligibility for this ear placement. 

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9. Tragus Piercing

tragus ear piercings

Tragus piercing is another less painful placement in the ear cartilage. The tragus area is on the front of your ear canal and is similar to the helix piercing. On a pain scale of 1 to 10, this placement falls on a 4 and can take up to 10 months or more to heal. 

The healing process can be stressful as keeping the area clean is tricky. As the piercing recovers, you have to be careful with using earphones and buds, as these devices can irritate and cause infection. Avoid these devices for the first month of getting your tragus placement.

10. Rook Piercing

rook ear piercings

Rook piercing locates itself on the upper ridge of the inner ear and is unique. It sets your look apart and makes your face stand out. However, it comes with a bit of pain as it falls between a 6 or 8 on the pain scale. It takes about 6 to 12 months to heal completely. 

11. Daith Piercing

daith ear piercings

This is another cartilage piercing located in the inner ear. Even though the daith piercing seems painful, it is still one of the easiest ear placements and requires only a low-maintenance routine. As for the pain, the piercing will likely measure up to a 5 out of 10 and can take up to 9 months to heal.

12. Industrial Piercing

industrial ear piercings

An industrial piercing connects to holes with a bar and tiny balls for closure. This placement requires you to pierce two different parts of your upper ear cartilage. This placement is not for you if you have low pain resistance, as it ranks 7 on a pain scale of 10. 

Note: Any piercing that connects two holes with a barbell is called an industrial piercing. It is important to consult a professional to be able to pick the right one for your ear shape.

13. Conch Piercing

conch ear piercings

A conch piercing comes in two different forms—the outer or inner couch piercing. Your ear shape determines the one to choose. This type of placement gives room for any type of jewelry, which makes it a versatile option if you like to experiment with new looks.

The pain level falls on a 6 out of 10 and it takes up to 3 to 9 months. Do not sleep on the piercing until it heals completely. 

14. Double Ear Piercing

double ear piercings

This is a piercing style that can help to refresh your look without any painful sacrifice. It is a piercing done on the ear lobe to create a double earring space. This is very common amongst teenagers and anyone who wants a simple look.

15. Triple Ear Piercings

triple ear piercings

Similar to the double ear piercing, you can opt for triple ear placements as it gives you a chic look. However, you can have this in your ear cartilage or lobe. 

Triple cartilage piercing comes with a bit of pain, but it will be worth it. You can always get the piercing one by one until you get your desired triple placement. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What piercing heals easiest?

Earlobe piercings. Piercings on the earlobe heal the fastest and also come with the least pain. 

It takes only a month or two for the piercing to heal completely, and it is easy to maintain. Moreso, the pain is just a one or two out of 10.

Can ear holes close after piercing?

Yes, they can. The hole a piercing forms takes time to heal, and if you remove the jewelry in it before it heals completely, the holes can close up. 

Once the hole closes, you would have to wait a while and re-do the piercing. However, this could be a good thing if you no longer want a piercing right after getting it. 

What piercing is the hardest to heal?

Snug piercing. A snug piercing is rather the most painful of all individual and cartilage piercing and also the hardest to heal. 

The healing process of the piercing usually takes about 6 months if maintained properly. It can also take longer than a year for the area to recover fully.

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Conclusion

If you constantly check out ear-piercings inspiration photos or trends, you might be due for a new piercing. There are several types of ear piercings to choose from and this article presents a list of the most classy cool individual piercing for you. 

To choose the right piercing, go for one that fits your ear shape and one that you can handle. While most cartilage piercings are painful, you can settle for lobe piercings or other relatively low-pain piercings. 

Thanks for reading.

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