There are almost 15 types of ear piercings. There can be more than that depending on new styles and trends. Let’s read their specifications and related facts, then decide the best one suited for you.
What is Ear Piercing?
- Generally, ear piercing means that a very tiny hole is created by piercing across an ear lobe. Mostly, ear piercing is used to refer to ear lobe piercing.
- It is done so that an earring can be worn by crossing it through that pierced area/hole.
- It is done for the sake of fashion, mostly by women but men also have them.
- Another type of ear hole piercing which is done other than on the ear lobe part is specifically called Cartilage Piercing (because cartilage lies at that part of the ear).
- Cartilage is a rubbery-like elastic tissue that is flexible and soft.
- Still we can use ear piercing when generally talking about the piercings of different parts of ear, including both ear lobe and cartilage areas.
- Most commonly, an earlobe piercing is preferred rather than cartilage piercing.
- Almost 80 percent of the population has got their ears pierced more than other body piercings.
- A person can have more than 30 piercings at different areas of the ear.
History of Piercing
- Wearing earrings was considered to be a symbol of prestige, wealth and luxury.
- The Practice of ear piercing is as old as 5000 years which we were able to account for after the discovery of Europe’s oldest mummy by archeologists called Ötzi as she was found having piercings including ear piercing.
- Evidence of piercings are found from all around the world in ancient carvings and texts.
- In Exodus and in Bible’s Book of Genesis two different narratives talk about earrings which makes it clear that ear piercing was practiced even in those times.
- Carvings and sculptures of soldiers in the ancient city of Persipolis, Persia, were shown wearing earrings.
- Earrings were found inside the tomb of King Tutankhamen.
Other Civilizations
- Mayans, Dayak people of Borneo, Turkish, African and Polynesian people used to get ear piercings for ritual purposes.
- Wearing earrings was a fashion trend in the 1500s and worn by fine gentlemen. Most notable people among them were Shakespeare, Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh.
- Getting ears pierced was common in ancient Greek sailors.
- Japanese Ainu people were also recorded to pierce their ears which was prohibited by the government in the 1800s.
- Later in the 1900s and onwards it became common for women all over the world to have ear piercings but later both men and women were used to having them.
- According to 2018 statistics, in the US alone, 83% of people had ear piercing.
Types of Ear Piercing
There are many types of ear piercings which can be done on both ears. Some people love to get multiple piercings on only one or each ear. Piercing many parts of ears for wearing multiple earrings has become very common in the 1970s by the punk rock community. Later in the 1980s, prominent male singers had multiple ear piercings which made it a fashion trend among men. We will look at each of the types of ear piercings and also other possible piercing types at these spots.
Lobe Piercing
This is the most common spot for ear piercing where a very small hole is created in the ear lobe. Lobe is the fleshy and lowest part of the ear without any bone or cartilage. Usually females prefer to get lobe piercing on both ears instead of only one ear. There are three types of lobe piercing which are as follows.
Standard lobe piercing: Here a hole is created just at the most center part of the lobe. It is even more common than the upper lobe piercing.
Upper/high lobe piercing: A piercing made just slightly at the upper part of the lobe is called upper or higher piercing. They look good when paired with standard lobe piercing.
Transverse lobe piercing: An earring used for it called a barbell which is horizontal with two pointed circles at both ends, is used for it where the ear lobe is pierced horizontally from an angle (which depends on ear lobe size and shape) and then a barbell is passed through it horizontally. So, instead of piercing through the front and back side of the lobe, piercing is done horizontally at the lower side of the lobe.
Pain
Transverse lobe piercing might pain slightly more than other two types due to the small long bar passing horizontally through a long pierced fleshy lobe. So, expect a pain level of 3 out of 10.
Healing
For standard and upper/higher lobe piercing it normally heals in 6 weeks.
Tragus Piercing
Tragus is a tiny and pointed dense piece of cartilage at the external ear’s inner side and immediately in front of the ear canal, partially closing it. It’s piercing is much disliked than other types because of the irritation one gets after it. Also there needs much pressure to get piercing on the tragus area because of the cartilage which is harder.
Pain level
It is quite painful because it needs to pierce through the cartilage which is hard and dense. Also it becomes difficult for a person to use ear buds which also cause pain irritability while using them. Even after getting piercings, pain persists to many people. Its pain level for the majority of people should be 5 out of 10.
Healing
It usually takes a longer time from 6 months to a year to heal. It is very prone to infections and thus needs to be cleaned by saline solution daily and try not to touch it alot to let it heal.
Anti Tragus Piercing
In different types of ear piercings, anti tragus piercing is much popular. This area is located opposite to the tragus, a cartilage area slightly above the ear lobe. Perforation of this area is just like the tragus perforation. This uncommon piercing looks great with a barbell and any normal earring. It is thought to help with headaches but there is no scientific proof available about it.
Pain level
Anti tragus piercing is painful but lesser than tragus as it is located above the ear lobe which makes it less prone to pain.
As its perforation procedure is similar to the tragus piercing that is why it also requires a lot of pressure and people complain about having pain persistently for hours after getting it done.
Overall, its pain level is 4 out of 10.
Conch
Conch is the middle part of the ear that looks like a conch shell. Ear has an outer conch part and inner conch part which both are used for perforation. It is believed that this perforation aids in the treatment of asthma but there is no truth in it until proven scientifically.
- Outer conch
This conch area is located at the upper part of the conch cartilage.
- Inner conch
This conch area is located at the lower part of the conch cartilage. It is more common than outer conch piercing.
Pain level
Due to cartilage its perforation also requires a lot of pressure thus it also causes pain even weeks after the procedure. Its pain level is 8 out of 10.
Healing
The conch cartilage piercing may take minimum 3 to maximum 9 months to heal.
Orbital Piercing
In this type two holes are made on either ear lobe or helix part of ear and then they are connected together with a single jewelry piece. Here the jewelry piece is seen on the front side of the ear. Normally, earrings having a heart or circular shape are used which makes it look very chic.
Pain level
If it is perforated on the lobes area then there is 1 to 2 out of 10 pain level. If it is done on the helix area (which has cartilage) or one of the holes is perforated on the helix area then it would definitely cause pain which would be on pain level 4 out of 10.
Healing
Normally , if orbital piercing is on the lobes area it will not take much time to get healed but if one or both the holes are on the area where cartilage is located then expect a longer time from 2 to 6 months to get healed.
Snug Piercing
It is also called anti-helix, is a curved cartilage located at the front part of the ear which is parallel to the front of the helix. It’s famous for its eye-catching appearance.
Pain level
Expect a pain level of moderate to high because of the dense cartilage it passes through. Though pain tolerance varies for everyone but most people find it uncomfortable especially as compared to lobe piercing.
Healing
It takes longer to heal compared to all other types of piercings because of its location. Also, you can find irritation due to this. You need to do proper after care that will minimize complications and healing time.
Auricle Piercing
One of the types of ear piercings is auricle piercing. It involves piercing the outer rim of the ear, that is known as auricle or helix. Its versatile location offers options for hoops, studs and decorative styles. Its popular among masses for its aesthetic appeal.
Pain level
Its pain level is moderate.
Healing
Typically it takes a few months to a year to heal this type of ear piercing. There will be swelling, tenderness and a bit of discomfort when you get your piercing done.
Conclusion – Types of Ear Piercings
To sum up, different types of ear piercings provide a wide variety of alternatives for individual expression, ranging from traditional lobe piercings to daring selections like snug and helix piercings. With the assurance that each variety offers a distinct pain threshold, healing duration, and visual appeal, people may confidently design their own style statement.