Want a new ear piercing, but no idea which one suits you? Worried about pain, about how long it takes to heal, or about choosing something you'll regret? Totally normal. This guide walks you through every popular ear piercing, so you can pick your favourite with confidence and know exactly what to expect.
Ear piercings have been part of human culture for thousands of years. From ancient rituals to modern fashion statements, they’ve always been a way to express identity and style.
The oldest evidence? A 5,300-year-old mummy named Ötzi the Iceman. He had stretched ear piercings measuring 11 mm!
A Short History of Ear Piercings
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Protection & Tradition – In some cultures, pierced ears were believed to protect against evil spirits.
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Eastern Medicine – The ear contains acupuncture points, so piercings were thought to have therapeutic benefits.
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Sailors’ Belief – In the Middle Ages, sailors wore earrings hoping the value of the jewelry would pay for their burial if they washed ashore.
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Fashion Trends – Between the 4th and 16th centuries, ear piercings lost popularity in Europe due to hairstyles covering the ears. They came back into fashion until clip-on earrings took over in WWI.
Why Ear Piercings Are So Popular Today
Scared that one piercing won't be enough? You're in good company. From simple lobe piercings to intricate cartilage piercings, the possibilities are endless. Both the softer (earlobe) and harder (cartilage) parts of the ear are suitable for piercings.
Whether you want one subtle stud or a full ear stack, there’s a style for everyone. But remember – each piercing has its own healing time and aftercare, so do your research before choosing.
Popular Ear Piercing Styles
Overwhelmed by all the names? Here's the quick overview.
1. Helix Piercing
Placed along the upper cartilage of the ear. Usually not painful and works with rings, barbells, or studs.
2. Forward Helix Piercing
Similar to the helix but lower, near the root of the ear. Often styled with elegant studs.
3. Industrial Piercing
Two piercings connected by a straight barbell – one in the forward helix, the other on the opposite upper ear.
4. Snug Piercing
A shallow piercing in the inner cartilage rim. Works best with micro jewelry.
5. Rook Piercing
Located above the tragus in the cartilage ridge. Looks great with curved barbells or rings.
6. Conch Piercing
Inner or outer cartilage, often styled with a statement ring. Named after the conch shell.
7. Orbital Piercing
Two holes connected by a single ring – popular in the helix or anti-helix area.
8. Tragus Piercing
The small flap in front of your ear canal. Works with multiple jewelry styles.
9. Anti-Tragus Piercing
Above the lobe, opposite the tragus.
10. Lobe Piercing
The classic! Heals quickly and is often the first piercing people get.
11. Transverse Lobe Piercing
A twist on the classic – a barbell placed horizontally through the lobe.
12. Daith Piercing
Through the innermost cartilage fold. Some say it may help with migraines.
13. Auricle Piercing
On the outer rim of the cartilage. Often paired with lobe piercings.
14. Dermal Piercing
Single-point surface piercing, sometimes placed just inside the tragus.
Every ear piercing up close
Still doubting between two? Here's a closer look at each one.
Helix Piercing
Helix piercings are cartilage piercings that are placed along the top ear. A helix definitely doesn’t hurt much.
Although it is possible to wear studs, a lot of people choose to wear a captive bead ring or barbell.
Forward Helix Piercing
The location for a Forward Helix piercing is similar to that of a regular helix piercing but slightly lower, near what is called the root of the helix.
Although there are many jewelry choices for the forward helix and it can even be incorporated into an industrial piercing, most people like to wear jewelry with studs.
Industrial Piercing
Industrial piercings are actually a pair of piercings that are connected with a single piece of jewelry. With industrial piercings, one piercing is in the forward-helix area and the other is on the opposite side of the ear.
Generally, a single barbell is used to connect them, although a lot of various styles are used.
Snug Piercing
The snug piercing is one of the most distinctive ear piercings, as it's located in the inner cartilage area part-way down the ear's outer rim, just above the anti-tragus. It's a very shallow location, which is why you're likely to use micro jewelry when you get a snug piercing.
Rook Piercing
The rook piercing can be considered as sort of a cousin of the snug piercing. However, it's vertically oriented and found above the tragus on the ridge separating the inner and outer conch. This piercing looks really cool with either curved barbells or captive bead rings.
Conch Piercing
This cartilage piercing can either be of the inner or outer variety, though a lot of conch piercings cover both areas and use a captive bead ring for an eye-catching look. The name of the piercing comes from this part of the ear's resemblance to conch shells regularly found on ocean coasts.
Orbital Piercing
Orbital piercings aren't exclusive to the ear, as they are technically any two piercings that are linked together with one piece of jewelry. Orbital piercings are particularly popular in the helix area or anti-helix.
Tragus Piercing
The tragus is the part of your ear right in front of your ear canal. This piercing can be more or less difficult depending on the thickness and size of your tragus. However, it's also versatile and looks good with a number of jewelry styles.
Anti-Tragus Piercing
Anti-tragus piercings are cartilage piercings located just above where traditional lobe piercings are done. Despite its name, the anti-tragus is actually really similar to tragus piercings in terms of characteristics and healing time.
Lobe Piercing
The lobe piercing is still perhaps the most common piercing throughout the world. It's quite possibly the first piercing you ever had done and also one of the quickest to heal. Many who love body modifications and piercings start with this one.
Good to know: at our studio your earlobe can be done with a sterile single-use piercing gun. Cartilage is always pierced with a hollow needle.
Transverse Lobe Piercing
Transverse lobe piercings are a new twist on an old classic. With transverse lobe piercings, a barbell is used to go horizontally through the earlobe instead of from the outside to the inside.
This one is highly subject to the shape and size of your earlobe, of course.
Daith Piercing
Daith piercings are performed through the innermost cartilage fold of the ear and can be difficult to access. For this reason, they should be done by a professional that you trust.
After the piercing is done, most opt for captive bead ring or curved barbell jewelry. One cool thing about this piercing is that it's often credited as a potential remedy for migraines.
Auricle Piercing
Also known as rim piercings, auricle piercings are found on the rim of the cartilage near the outside of the ear. They are usually done in conjunction with one or more lobe piercings but can complement whatever piercings you already have with ease.
Dermal Piercing
Dermal piercings are a catch-all term for piercings that have just one visible point on the surface of the skin, but in terms of ear piercings, they can be located just inward from the tragus.
Choosing the Right Piercing
Afraid of picking the wrong one? Keep these three things in mind:
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Consider your ear shape and lifestyle.
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Think about healing time: cartilage piercings can take 4–9 months.
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Follow aftercare instructions: clean with saline solution, avoid touching, and sleep carefully.
Please note: all times mentioned are an indication. Healing is very personal: for some people it goes faster, for others it takes a little longer.
Still not sure? Just walk in. We'll look at your ear together and give you honest advice on what works for your anatomy.
The right jewellery from day one
Worried about irritation or an allergic reaction? Your jewellery makes a real difference. For a fresh piercing titanium is best, which is why we use it. Want that gold glow straight away? Then we usually use a titanium bar with a gold top. Our gold pieces have a titanium internal thread, because a gold thread wears out quickly. Have a look at our first titanium & gold piercings.
Good to know: your first bar is longer and is later swapped for a shorter one. Just pop back into the studio for that, and we'll check how your piercing is doing at the same time. Once it's healed, the fun really starts: add your next piercing to your ear stack, or pick new jewellery in the studio or from our ear piercings collection online (our webshop ships to the Netherlands and Belgium only).
Ready to Get Pierced?
If you’re inspired to get a new piercing, book your appointment with us today.
Pick your perfect style
Choose a time that suits you
Pay online in advance – so you can relax during your appointment.
Book now at www.en.piercingzetten.com and start your ear piercing journey!
- No time to plan ahead? We're open every day of the year, 10:30–22:00. Walk in without an appointment.
- Worried about infection? We work with sterile single-use tools.
- Want to ask in your own language? Our team speaks about six languages.
- Want experience? We've been piercing since 1998, at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam.
- Between 12 and 16? Then you come with a parent. From 16 you can come on your own. See our minimum age page.
Worry-free healing, sorted in one go: your piercing, a titanium bar (with a gold top if you like) and AphraHeals aftercare spray or Aphraheals - Piercing Aftercare to take home. AphraHeals is made for piercings only, not for tattoos. Want to read it all again later? See our aftercare instructions.
Walk in without an appointment and leave with an ear piercing that heals beautifully.