Apollo Tattoo Studio is LA's go-to professional cartilage piercing destination — a fully licensed cartilage piercing studio where every piercing is performed by a master piercer, with single-use sterile needles, autoclave-sterilized tools, and implant-grade titanium or 14k gold jewelry from BVLA. We never use piercing guns: they shatter cartilage, can't be properly sterilized, and lead to longer healing and higher complication rates.
Cartilage piercings include helix, forward helix, tragus, anti-tragus, conch, daith, rook, industrial, and flat piercings — each requires a specific technique, a specific jewelry profile, and an anatomy check before we book it. Our piercers carry years of in-studio experience and ongoing training. Located in Santa Monica, serving all of Los Angeles.
Book Your Cartilage Piercing
5000+ clients 
What sets Apollo apart for cartilage piercings in Los Angeles
We never use piercing guns for cartilage. Guns force blunt studs through tissue, shattering cartilage and causing unnecessary trauma. Professional needle piercing creates clean channels that heal faster with fewer complications.
Each cartilage area -- helix, tragus, conch, daith, rook -- has unique characteristics. Our piercers assess your anatomy to determine optimal placement and jewelry selection for your specific ear shape.
From single piercings to complex curated ear designs, we perform all cartilage piercing types at our Los Angeles studio. We can help you plan a cohesive ear aesthetic over multiple sessions.
Cartilage heals slower than soft tissue, making jewelry quality crucial. We use only implant-grade titanium and solid gold -- materials that promote healing rather than cause reactions.
Many clients visit for curated ears -- intentionally designed combinations of cartilage piercings that create cohesive, beautiful aesthetics. We specialize in planning multi-piercing ear designs.
We carry BVLA, Industrial Strength, Anatometal, and other top-tier brands. Labret studs, captive bead rings, clickers, curved barbells, and industrial barbells in titanium and 14K gold.
Apollo's Premium Jewelry Partner
Handmade in Los Angeles since 1996. Lifetime guarantee. Implant-grade gold, platinum, and titanium. Over 3,000 original designs in our case — ask your piercer for a tour.
See the BVLA story →Explore the range of cartilage piercings at our Los Angeles studio.
The classic cartilage piercing along your ear's outer rim. Single, double, or triple helix options. Healing: 6-12 months.
Through the small cartilage flap that partially covers your ear canal. Subtle yet striking accent. Healing: 6-12 months.
Through the large, flat cartilage in your ear's center bowl. Inner and outer conch placements. Healing: 9-12 months.
Through the innermost cartilage fold above the ear canal. Partially hidden with a distinctive look. Healing: 9-12 months.
Through the antihelix ridge between inner and outer ear. Requires pronounced anatomy. Healing: 9-12 months.
Two cartilage piercings connected by a single barbell -- typically forward helix to helix. Healing: 12-18 months.
Clear next step
Schedule your appointment
Recommended first step
Book lobes, cartilage, or a styled ear appointment with Apollo.
Every piercing heals differently — here's what to expect
| Piercing Type | Location | Initial Healing | Full Healing | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helix | Upper outer rim cartilage | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Forward Helix | Front upper cartilage near temple | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Conch (Inner) | Center bowl of ear | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Conch (Outer) | Lower center, near anti-helix | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Tragus | Small flap over ear canal | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Daith | Innermost fold above ear canal | 3-4 months | 9-12+ months | 5-6/10 |
| Rook | Upper inner fold above daith | 3-4 months | 9-12+ months | 6-8/10 |
| Industrial | Two holes connected by barbell | 4-6 months | 9-12+ months | 6-7/10 |
5000+ clientsYour safety is non-negotiable at our Los Angeles cartilage piercing studio
All reusable tools are sterilized in our hospital-grade autoclave.
Pre-sterilized needles opened in front of you -- never reused.
Clean, organized piercing stations with EPA-registered disinfectants.
Licensed and inspected by LA County Health Department.
All staff trained and certified in safety protocols.
We stock only the best jewelry brands for your cartilage piercings
Transparent pricing — jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Jewelry sold separately
Multiple Piercing Discount Available. Jewelry sold separately — we carry implant-grade titanium, BVLA, Industrial Strength, and gold pieces.
Senior Piercer Senior Piercer
Bunny Vogt, a dedicated Senior Piercer at our studio since 2019, is known for her artistic eye and expertise in ear styling and curation. She excels at creating beautifully balanced cartilage arrangements that complement each client's unique ear anatomy.
Founder Master Piercer
Blue Mason, our Master Piercer and studio founder since 2004, brings over two decades of cartilage piercing expertise including advanced genital work. His precision ensures every cartilage piercing is placed perfectly for optimal aesthetics and healing.
From consultation to aftercare, we deliver a safe, comfortable cartilage piercing experience at our Los Angeles studio.
Cartilage heals slower than soft tissue, making proper aftercare essential. Clean twice daily with sterile saline solution -- spray front and back of piercing. Let air dry or pat with non-woven gauze.
Never rotate or twist jewelry. Don't sleep on healing cartilage piercings -- use a travel pillow with a hole. Avoid earbuds, hats, or anything that puts pressure on the piercing. Skip swimming pools, lakes, and hot tubs. Don't use alcohol, peroxide, or ointments.
Book AppointmentClean 2x daily with saline solution. Some swelling, redness, and tenderness is normal. Don't sleep on the piercing. Avoid earbuds and headphones that touch the area. Don't rotate jewelry.
Continue cleaning routine. Swelling subsides. Still avoid sleeping on it. No swimming. Don't change jewelry yet. If irritation bumps appear, continue care and contact us.
Helix/tragus: 6-12 months. Conch/daith/rook: 9-12 months. Industrial: 12-18 months. Visit us for jewelry changes. Internal healing continues even after the piercing looks healed externally.
Getting your cartilage pierced at our Los Angeles shop is easy -- you can choose what works best for you.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say About Their Cartilage Piercings
"Got my triple helix and conch done here—placement is flawless and the jewelry selection is amazing!"
"Blue helped me plan my curated ear and now I have the perfect combination of cartilage piercings."
"Best cartilage piercing experience in LA! They use needles only, which made such a difference in healing."
"Bunny did my daith and forward helix—both healed beautifully thanks to their quality jewelry and aftercare."
5000+ clientsLocated in Santa Monica, we serve clients from throughout Los Angeles County for professional cartilage piercings.
Santa Monica, CA
Apollo was founded by Blue Mason in 2007. With 20+ years of body art experience, Blue brings master-level expertise to every piece. Read Blue's story →
Find answers to common questions about cartilage piercing services, healing, and aftercare.
Three things define a professional cartilage piercing studio, and we hold the line on all three. First, technique: every cartilage piercing at Apollo is performed by a master piercer using a single-use sterile needle — never a piercing gun. Guns shatter cartilage and can't be properly sterilized. Second, sterilization: all reusable tools are processed in our hospital-grade autoclave, single-use items are opened in front of you, and the studio is licensed and inspected by the LA County Health Department. Third, jewelry: we stock only implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) and 14k/18k gold from BVLA, Industrial Strength, and Anatometal. Cheap mystery-metal jewelry is one of the most common causes of cartilage piercing failure, so we don't carry it.
Piercing guns force blunt studs through tissue, shattering cartilage and causing trauma that leads to longer healing, more complications, and higher scarring risk. Professional needle piercing creates clean channels that heal properly.
Most cartilage piercings take 6-12 months to fully heal. Industrial piercings can take 12-18 months. Initial healing occurs sooner, but internal healing continues longer.
Avoid sleeping on healing cartilage piercings. Pressure causes irritation bumps, delayed healing, and migration. Use a travel pillow with a hole for your ear.
Rook and industrial piercings typically rate highest for pain due to thick cartilage and/or multiple piercings. However, all cartilage piercings cause brief, manageable pain.
We recommend limiting new piercings to 3-4 per session. More than that overwhelms your body's healing capacity and increases complication risk.
Wait until fully healed, and even then, cartilage jewelry can be tricky to change. Our Los Angeles piercers offer jewelry change assistance to prevent trauma to healed piercings.
Helix piercings are often recommended for cartilage beginners—they're relatively easy to heal, versatile for jewelry, and not as anatomy-dependent as some other placements.
Bumps usually indicate irritation from pressure (sleeping, earbuds), touching, or improper aftercare. Continue proper care, eliminate irritation sources, and contact us if it persists.
At Apollo Studio, standard cartilage piercings start at $75 for the piercing service. Daith and rook start at $85, industrial at $125. Jewelry is sold separately.
We welcome clients from across the greater Los Angeles area.
Cities:
Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Hollywood, Downtown LA
We prioritize safety, precision, and professionalism in every cartilage piercing.
Recognized in Santa Monica's Most Loved 2025
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