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Piercing guide: types, placements and healing times

Healing times are general averages. Healing depends on the person, placement, jewellery and aftercare. Piercings from 40 €.

Ear map: piercing names

Ear map with piercing names: anti-helix, rook, tragus, anti-tragus, conch, low helix and lobe

Ear map: californian, upper helix, helix, daith, tragus, surface (australian) and lobe

Healing time by piercing

Piercing	Area	Typical healing	Notes
Earlobe	Ear	6–8 weeks	The classic choice and the best first piercing. Single, double or triple.
Helix	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	On the upper cartilage rim. Popular for ear stacking.
Tragus	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	The small flap in front of the ear canal. Avoid in-ear headphones at first.
Conch	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	The centre of the ear, with a labret (inner conch) or a ring (outer conch).
Daith	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	The innermost cartilage fold, usually with a ring.
Rook	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	The upper inner fold of the ear, usually with a curved barbell.
Flat	Ear (cartilage)	6–12 months	The flat upper cartilage; great for decorative tops.
Industrial	Ear (cartilage)	9–12 months	Two holes joined by one bar. Depends a lot on ear anatomy.
Nostril	Nose	4–6 months	On the side of the nose, with an internally threaded titanium labret.
Septum	Nose	2–3 months	Through the soft 'sweet spot' between the nostrils, not the cartilage.
Lip / Labret / Medusa	Mouth	2–3 months	Piercings around the lips. Need oral care and a shorter post once swelling goes down.
Tongue	Mouth	4–6 weeks	Swells a lot at first; the initial bar is longer and should be downsized later.
Navel	Body	6–12 months	Usually through the top rim of the navel, with a curved barbell.
Nipple	Body	6–12 months	With a straight titanium bar or ring; slow healing and careful aftercare.
Eyebrow	Face	2–3 months	A surface piercing through the brow, with a curved barbell.
Microdermal	Surface	2–3 months	An anchor placed under the skin with a single visible top. Ask us about available placements.

Helix piercing

The helix sits on the upper cartilage of the ear. It is a more sensitive area that allows lots of jewellery combinations and styles, and healing can take 6 to 12 months.

What is the best first piercing?

The earlobe is the best place to start: it heals in about 6–8 weeks and is easy to look after. If you want cartilage, helix and flat are good options but need more patience (6–12 months).

Cartilage or lobe?

The lobe is soft tissue and heals quickly. Cartilage has less blood flow, so it takes longer and is more sensitive to knocks and sleeping on it.

Why is the first post longer?

To leave room for swelling in the first days. Once the swelling goes down, the post should be shortened at the studio so the jewellery doesn't move too much.