Daith Piercing

A daith piercing is placed in the innermost cartilage fold above the ear canal. Its curved placement looks amazing with a jewelled segment ring, and it's one of the most distinctive ways to add depth to your ear stack. We pierce with 16 gauge ring-style jewellery designed to follow the natural curve of the fold, and our SK Certified piercing specialists will guide you through the placement from start to finish.

PriceFrom NZD $50

Pain level: 5 to 6 / 10
Method: Needle
Minimum age:: 13 years*
Jewellery type:: Segment ring or horseshoe View jewellery options
Downsizing:: 8-10 weeks
Fully healed:: minimum 6 months

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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 Daith Piercing?

A daith piercing sits in the innermost cartilage fold above the ear canal. Its unique curved shape makes it one of the more distinctive placements on the ear, and it pairs beautifully with a segment ring or horseshoe that follows the fold's natural line.

Because of its position, a daith needs a steady hand and careful placement. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy first to confirm the ideal spot for your ear.

316L Stainless Steel Spike Heart Segment Ring 16G 10mm - Gold - SkinKandy | Body Jewellery & Piercing

What To Expect

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

How We Pierce

We pierce every daith 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 daith is pierced with 16 gauge ring-style jewellery, such as a segment ring or horseshoe, shaped to sit naturally along the curve of the fold. Browse our daith collection to see what's available.

Step By Step: Your Daith Piercing Experience

Your piercing specialist will examine the fold above your ear canal and mark the daith placement with you.
We pierce with a single-use sterile needle for a clean, precise channel through the cartilage.
16 gauge ring-style jewellery, such as a segment ring or horseshoe, is fitted to sit along the natural curve of the fold.
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.

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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?

The daith's fold shape means downsizing takes a little longer than most cartilage placements. We recommend downsizing at 8 to 10 weeks once the initial swelling has settled, with full healing taking a minimum of 6 months.

Pierced: Day one
Downsizing:: 8-10 weeks
Fully healed:: minimum 6 months

Jewellery For Your Daith Piercing

The right jewellery makes all the difference to comfort while your daith heals, and to how it looks once it's settled.

Starter Jewellery

We pierce every daith with 16 gauge ring-style jewellery in 316L surgical steel, chosen to sit comfortably along the fold from day one.

Building Your Stack

Once you're healed, explore our horseshoe collection and our segment rings for pieces that suit the fold 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 daith piercing?

A daith piercing sits in the innermost cartilage fold above the ear canal. Its curved shape makes it a striking spot for a segment ring or horseshoe.

Does a daith piercing hurt?

Most people rate it a 5 to 6 out of 10. The daith sits on thicker cartilage close to the ear canal, so you'll feel firm pressure followed by a dull ache. 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 daith piercing take to heal?

Full healing takes a minimum of 6 months. The daith's fold shape means healing can take a little longer than flatter cartilage placements. See the average healing time by piercing type for how it compares.

What jewellery is used for a daith piercing?

We pierce with 16 gauge ring-style jewellery such as a segment ring or horseshoe, shaped to sit naturally along the curve of the fold.

When can I downsize my daith piercing?

We recommend downsizing at 8 to 10 weeks once the initial swelling has settled, slightly longer than most cartilage placements because of the daith's shape.

Can a daith piercing help with headaches?

Some people believe a daith piercing can ease migraines, though there's no medical evidence to support this. We recommend choosing a daith because you love the placement, not as a treatment for headaches.

Can I sleep on my new daith piercing?

Avoid sleeping directly on it while it heals. Be mindful of headphones and hats too, as pressure can slow healing. Our piercing info page has more on caring for a fresh cartilage piercing.

Can I get a daith piercing as part of the two piercings from $80 deal?

Yes, the daith 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 daith pairs beautifully with other cartilage placements. Read our ear piercing placements guide for inspiration, or explore some of our most popular combinations below.