2nd Lobe Piercing

Your needle-free 2nd lobe sits just above your first, pierced with a sterile, single-use cartridge system and gentle hand pressure instead of a needle. It's a comfortable way to add to your stack, whether you're going for a matching pair or already have a needle-free first lobe.

PriceFrom NZD $50

Pain level: 1 to 2 / 10
Method: Needle-Free
Minimum age:: 10 years*
Jewellery type:: Stud (surgical steel, titanium, or gold) View jewellery options
Downsizing:: N/A
Fully healed:: minimum 4 months

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Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.

* Available: From 10 years with parental consent. From 16 years without parental consent. Check our ID & consent requirements here.

What Is A Needle-Free 2nd Lobe Piercing?

A needle-free 2nd lobe piercing sits just above your first, using a sterile, single-use cartridge to place a stud earring through the soft, fleshy part of the ear, no needle involved. Gentle hand pressure does the work, making it a calm, quick way to build out your stack.

It's every bit as safe as our needle method, just a different way of getting there. Read more about our approach to safe piercing on the piercing info page, and if you'd prefer the traditional needle method instead, our 2nd lobe piercing page has everything you need.

What To Expect

Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.

How We Pierce

We use a sterile, single-use cartridge system and gentle hand pressure for a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so the whole process is clean and considered from start to finish.

Choosing Your Jewellery

We fit an 18 gauge stud earring in surgical steel, titanium or gold, in classic styles or with gems, shapes and pearls, and in two post lengths to suit different ears. Browse everything by material to compare your options.

Step By Step: Your 2nd Lobe Piercing Experience

We'll chat through placement and stud options with you, mapping your 2nd lobe against your existing piercings so the spacing looks right.
Your piercing specialist marks the spot and checks it with you before anything happens, so you're confident in the placement.
The piercing itself is quick: the sterile cartridge and gentle hand pressure place the stud in one smooth motion.
We'll talk you through simple aftercare and answer any questions before you leave.

BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE

Find Your Nearest Studio

Ready to add to your stack? Book in at your nearest studio and bring valid ID along with you.

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Nearest studios

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Aftercare

Healing is usually straightforward for a needle-free lobe piercing, but a simple routine still matters.

Your Daily Routine

Stock up on the essentials from our aftercare collection and keep your routine simple and consistent while your 2nd lobe settles.

Clean the piercing with a sterile saline solution twice daily.
Avoid swimming for 6-8 weeks while it heals.
Avoid sleeping directly on the piercing.
Be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats pressing against it while it's healing.

When Is It Fully Healed?

Downsizing isn't normally required with the stud earrings we use for this piercing. Full structural healing still takes a minimum of 4 months, so keep up the daily routine until then.

Pierced: Day one
Downsizing:: N/A
Fully healed:: minimum 4 months

Jewellery For Your Needle-Free 2nd Lobe

The right stud makes all the difference to comfort while healing and how your stack looks once it's settled.

316L surgical steel ball piercing with a straight bar and detachable ball end

Starter Jewellery

We pierce every needle-free 2nd lobe with an 18 gauge stud earring in 316L surgical steel, titanium or gold, chosen to support healing from day one.

Titanium birthstone piercing stud with a black round gem and silver post

Building Your Stack

Once healed, explore our full hoops and huggies range for the next piece to add alongside your first lobe.

14K solid gold crystal piercing stud with a bezel-set stone and straight post

Not Sure What Metal Suits You?

If you're torn between finishes, our guide on silver, rose gold or gold can help you decide.

FAQs

What is a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing?

It's our gentle alternative to the traditional 2nd lobe piercing, using a sterile, single-use cartridge system and gentle hand pressure instead of a needle. It sits just above your first lobe piercing.

Does a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing hurt?

Most people rate it a 1 to 2 out of 10. The cartridge system is designed to be quick and gentle. Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.

What is the minimum age for a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing?

We pierce from 10 years with parental consent, or 16 years and over without. See our age and consent requirements for details.

Do I need to downsize the jewellery afterwards?

No. Downsizing isn't normally required with the stud earrings we use for a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing, though full healing still takes a minimum of 4 months.

What jewellery is used for a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing?

We use an 18 gauge stud earring in surgical steel, titanium or gold, available in classic styles or with gems, shapes and pearls, and in two post lengths to suit different ears.

Can I get a needle-free 2nd lobe piercing instead of the needle method?

Yes, this is a separate experience to our traditional needle piercing. If you'd prefer the needle method instead, see our 2nd lobe piercing page.

Can I get my 2nd lobe pierced with my first lobe on the same visit?

Yes, plenty of people do both in one sitting, and you can even ask about our double operator experience if you'd like both ears done at once.

How do I look after a new needle-free 2nd lobe piercing?

Clean it with a sterile saline solution twice daily, avoid swimming for 6-8 weeks and try not to sleep directly on it. Be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats while it heals. Our full aftercare guide has everything you need.