Different types of ear piercings

The history of ear piercing goes back thousands of years, and while early piercings were often simple and symbolic of religion or culture, in today's society, Newmarket and Mississauga residents and their surroundings have a wide range of options.

If you're thinking about getting a new ear piercing, then you've come to the right place. At Pierced, our team of piercing professionals can help you find the perfect combination of jewelry and piercing that you can't wait to show off. 

But first, let's help you figure out which type of ear piercing is right for you. The following guide will give you a quick and easy overview of the most common types of ear piercings, what they are and what types of jewelry they are often paired with.

As always, if you have any other questions, feel free to contact! 

Ready? Let's go to.

tragus

The inner part of the cartilage above the ear canal and directly above the lobe is called the tragus. Clients looking for this piercing like flat back jewelry, hoops (when fully healed), and combinations with other jewelry.

Anti Tragus

So named because this piercing is directly opposite the tragus, the anti-tragus piercing is a small patch of cartilage next to your lobe.

Transverse lobe

Unlike a standard front-to-back lobe piercing, a transverse lobe piercing is driven horizontally through the skin using a barbell. The cartilage is not involved, so there is relatively little pain.

Auricle

Aka "rim piercing". The auricles are located on a cartilaginous rim outside the ear. They are often combined with lobe piercings. Like cartilage piercings, pinna piercings have a longer recovery time.

Date

Right at the end of the helix, in the innermost cartilage next to the tragus, you will find Dite's piercing. Access to them can be difficult - contact only professionals you trust! Fixed beads and curved rods (only when they have fully healed) are popular decorations for Dites. This piercing is often touted as a potential migraine remedy, but it has not been proven and should not be used as a cure.

Forward Helix

The front helix is ​​located at the top of the rim just above the tragus, where the top of your ear curves to meet your head. They can be single, double or even triple.

Smoke

A cousin of the tight piercing, rooks are vertically oriented and sit above the tragus—right on the ridge that separates the inner and outer shells. Antennae and beaded rings are a popular choice.

helix

Any piercing on the outer edge of the cartilage of the ear. Two helixes, one slightly higher than the other, are considered double helix piercings.

Industrial

An industrial piercing is two or more cartilage piercings. The most popular variety runs through the anti-helix and helix with a long bar or arrow decoration.

Comfortable

Between the helix and just above your antitragus is a small rim of cartilage called the antihelix. Here you will find a neat piercing. Narrow piercings are very difficult to heal and require precise anatomy to be successful. If your anatomy doesn't fit, the piercer may opt for a single coil fake tightening that will have all the benefits of styling without the complications of healing. This place is shallow, resulting in tight-fitting micro-decorations (hence the name).

Orbital

Unlike most site-specific piercings, orbital refers to any piercing that uses two holes in the same ear. They are common in vanes or spirals and often have hoops or other decorations designed to fit through both holes.

shell

The drop between your helix and your anti-helix is ​​known as the outer shell. You will often see studs in these piercings. The anti-spiral is followed by the next dip, also known as the inner shell. You can pierce any of them or use jewelry that connects them together.

standard lobe

Last but not least is the lobe piercing. The most common of all piercings, the standard lobe is located in the middle of your earlobe. You can also get the upper lobe, often referred to as a "double piercing" when it is next to the standard lobe; this is often just above the standard petal diagonally. 

Ready to get started?

If you're ready to take the next step, Pierced.co is here to help! We have two conveniently located stores in Newmarket and Mississauga and we want to make sure you get the perfect piercing to match your taste and style.

Our team is very experienced, caring and friendly. They will guide you through the entire process, tell you what to expect and answer any questions you may have so you feel comfortable every step of the way. In addition, we have a wide selection of jewelry, from the eclectic and abstract to the simple and elegant, to match with your new piercing.