Piercings
Conch Piercing
Inner vs outer conch, how much it really hurts, healing time, jewelry, and aftercare — from the piercers at Apollo in Santa Monica.
Book a piercingPlacement
Center cartilage of the ear
Pain level
5–6 / 10
Healing
4–9 months
Jewelry
Flat-back stud or ring
Min. age
14+
The basics
What is a conch piercing?
The conch is the large, shell-shaped bowl of cartilage in the center of your ear — it's named after the conch shell. There are two placements: an inner conch sits a flat-back stud through the middle of that bowl, while an outer conch sits closer to the rim and often wears a large captive ring that hugs the edge of the ear. It's a bold, central placement that anchors a curated ear beautifully.
How it feels
Does a conch piercing hurt?
The conch is dense cartilage, so it's a firmer, deeper pressure than a lobe — most clients rate it a 5–6 out of 10, sharp for a second or two and then done. We use a single-use needle (a gun cannot safely pierce the conch) and mark the spot for your approval before anything happens.
Healing
How long does it take to heal?
Plan for 4–9 months, sometimes up to a year. Cartilage heals from the outside in, so a conch that feels fine at week six is not actually finished — leaving the jewelry alone is the single biggest factor in clean healing. We book a downsize around month four to swap the long install post for a shorter one once swelling settles.
Jewelry
Jewelry for a conch piercing
We start most conch piercings with a flat-back implant-grade titanium labret stud — the flat disc sits comfortably against the back of the ear, so you can sleep and wear headphones more easily during healing. Solid gold is available, and rings (for an outer conch or a healed inner conch) get fitted once the piercing has settled.
Aftercare
Aftercare
Spray sterile saline twice a day, avoid sleeping on that side, keep headphones and phone screens off it, and don't twist or rotate the jewelry. Full routine on our piercing aftercare guide.
Our standards
Why get pierced at Apollo
Every piercing at our Santa Monica studio is done with a single-use sterile needle — never a piercing gun, which can't be sterilized and crushes cartilage. We install only implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136), solid 14k/18k gold, or niobium, placed and checked by a Fakir-certified senior piercer. Your fresh jewelry is sized long for swelling, and a downsize follow-up is built into every piercing so it settles cleanly.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a conch piercing hurt?
Most people rate a conch piercing 5–6 out of 10 — a firm, deep pressure for a second or two because it passes through dense cartilage. Our needle-only technique keeps it quick and precise.
How long does a conch piercing take to heal?
Typically 4–9 months, occasionally up to a year. Cartilage heals slowly from the outside in, so don't change or remove the jewelry until your piercer confirms it's healed at the downsize visit.
Can I wear a hoop in my conch?
Yes, once it's fully healed — an outer conch is often pierced for a ring, while an inner conch usually starts with a flat-back stud and can move to a ring later. We fit the ring to your anatomy in-studio.
Can I sleep on a new conch piercing?
Avoid sleeping on that side during healing. Pressure causes irritation bumps and can shift the angle. A travel pillow with a hole, or simply switching sides, helps a lot.
Studio portfolio
Conch Piercings at Apollo
Real work from our piercing chairs — implant-grade titanium and gold, placed freehand by our Fakir-certified piercers.
