EAR · CARTILAGE
Conch Piercing
A conch sits in the centre cartilage of the ear, giving you a bold blank canvas to work with. It's a firm favourite for anyone building out a curated stack, and once healed it looks stunning with a hoop. We pierce with a 16 gauge flatback to support healing from day one, and our SK Certified piercing specialists will help you find the placement that suits your ear.
- Pain level
- 4 to 5 / 10
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 13 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Flatback or barbell View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Two Piercings From $80
Get two of your favourite standard piercings for just $80 when pierced with selected surgical steel jewellery. Read more
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 13 years with parental consent or 16 years without parental consent. Check our ID & consent requirements here.
What Is A Conch Piercing?
A conch piercing sits in the centre cartilage of the ear, named after its resemblance to a conch shell. It's one of the most versatile placements on the ear because the flat, open space gives you room for a single standout piece or a foundation for a bigger stack.
Some people choose an inner conch, sitting closer to the ear canal, while others go for an outer conch on the rim. Both placements work beautifully with the right jewellery and a bit of patience while the cartilage heals.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
We pierce every conch with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so you're in safe hands from consultation through to aftercare advice. Read more about our approach on our piercing info page.
Choosing Your Jewellery
Every conch is pierced with a 16 gauge flatback post or barbell, chosen to support healing from day one. Browse our conch collection to see what's available, including options in titanium for sensitive ears.
Step By Step: Your Conch Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist will mark the placement and talk you through the conch's position so you know exactly where the jewellery will sit.
- We pierce with a single-use sterile needle for a clean, precise channel through the cartilage.
- A 16 gauge flatback post or barbell is fitted straight away to support your healing piercing in the early weeks.
- You'll get full aftercare guidance before you leave, plus advice on when to come back for downsizing.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Ready to book in? Check our age, ID and consent requirements before your visit so you know what to bring.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing takes time, and that's completely normal for a cartilage piercing like this one.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to a simple daily routine and stock up on the right products from our aftercare collection. For the full step by step, read our aftercare guide.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily.
- Avoid swimming for 6 to 8 weeks.
- Avoid sleeping on the piercing and be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats.
When Can I Change My Jewellery?
We recommend downsizing to a shorter post at 6 to 8 weeks once the initial swelling has settled, and full healing takes a minimum of 6 months in total. Cartilage takes its time, so patience really pays off here.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Jewellery For Your Conch Piercing
The right jewellery makes all the difference to comfort while your conch heals, and to how it looks once it's settled.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce every conch with a 16 gauge flatback post or barbell in 316L Surgical Steel, chosen to sit comfortably against the ear from day one.
Building Your Stack
Once you're healed, a hoop is a classic choice for a conch. Explore our segment rings collection for pieces that suit the placement as you build out your stack.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our guide on Silver, Rose Gold or Gold can help, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is a conch piercing?
A conch piercing sits in the centre cartilage of the ear, named after its resemblance to a conch shell. It's bold and versatile, and works well as a standalone statement piece or as part of a wider ear stack.
Does a conch piercing hurt?
Most people rate it a 4 to 5 out of 10. You'll feel firm pressure as the needle passes through the cartilage, followed by a dull ache that settles quickly. 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.
How long does a conch piercing take to heal?
Full healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Cartilage heals slower than a lobe, so patience and consistent aftercare both matter.
What jewellery is used for a conch piercing?
We pierce with a 16 gauge flatback post or barbell. Once healed, a conch also looks stunning in a hoop from our conch collection.
When can I downsize my conch piercing?
We recommend downsizing to a shorter post at 6 to 8 weeks once the initial swelling has settled. This helps the jewellery sit closer to the ear for comfort and healing. Read more on why downsizing your piercing matters.
Can I sleep on my new conch piercing?
Avoid sleeping directly on it while it heals. Side sleepers may want to adjust their usual position or use a travel pillow with a cut out.
What's the minimum age for a conch piercing?
You need to be 13 years or older with parental consent, or 16 years or older without. See our piercing info page for what else to expect on the day.
Can I get a conch piercing as part of the two piercings from $80 deal?
Yes, the conch piercing qualifies for our two piercings from $80 deal when paired with another standard piercing and selected surgical steel jewellery.
Build Your Ear Stack
A conch pairs beautifully with other cartilage placements. Read our ear piercing placements guide for inspiration, or explore some of our most popular combinations below.
