Orbital Piercing: What is it?

Orbital versus Conch Piercing

There is a lot of confusion surrounding these two types of piercings. A conch piercing is often decorated with a large loop that goes around the edge of the ear, creating a similar aesthetic to the orbital piercing. However, they are not the same thing. A conch piercing only appears in the inner cartilage and is composed of a single hole/passage, while an orbital piercing can appear in multiple suitable locations in the ear and consists of two piercings.

INSTAGRAM / @thepiercingurge / Low & Mid orbital helix by @emilyvonspoopypiercing

Pain Level

Pain varies from person to person. Many factors can influence the pain felt during a piercing, including the location of the piercing, the type of jewelry used, and the piercer's technique. However, most people have no problem getting pierced twice in one session. If you choose the earlobe area it will definitely be less painful than in the cartilage but you don't choose your piercing area based on pain ;).

Healing Time

Healing time depends on where you get your piercing. If your orbital piercing is in the cartilage, you can expect to spend about 6-9 months healing. If the piercing is in the earlobe, it will take at least 6 weeks to heal.

Aftercare After Piercing

Care after an orbital piercing is the same as for any other piercing. It is important to clean the piercing 2-3 times a day with saline solution throughout the healing period.

Can Existing Piercings Be Transformed Into Orbital Piercings?

The answer to this question is yes and no. If you have multiple earlobe piercings, you should have no problem adjusting them with a hoop, provided the piercings are far enough apart and the hoop is the right size. For more precision, you can opt for a horseshoe with the beads placed at the back of your earlobe, which will give the same aesthetic effect at the front.

What Type of Jewelry to Choose?

Once the piercing is fully healed, you can change your jewelry and experiment with different designs. Most people opt for a hoop, horseshoe, or captive ball rings (BCR) - there are many options and all are equally flattering.