September 07, 2024

Orbital Conch Piercing: The Complete Guide

Ask any piercer, and they'll tell you that most of their business comes from ear piercings. With over a dozen possible piercing locations on one ear alone, ear piercings offer an easy and accessible way to express your individuality.

If you're looking for a unique and eye-catching piercing for your ear, why not consider the orbital conch?

What is an Orbital Conch Piercing?

An orbital conch piercing is a variation of a regular conch piercing, which is located in the concha, or the bowl-shaped area of the ear directly above the ear canal.

The orbital conch consists of two adjacent piercings that are fitted with a single hoop or ring. After inserting jewelry into the two holes, the end effect is reminiscent of the orbital rings around a planet, hence the name.

Orbital Piercing Vs. Conch Piercing

Are orbital and conch piercings the same? Not really. There are differences between conch piercings and orbital piercings.

Orbital piercings require two holes threaded by one piece of jewelry, but they can be located anywhere on the body.

Meanwhile, conch piercings are specifically placed in the concha of the ear. Some people with conch piercings are able to wear a hoop that hugs the outer ridge of their ear.

This is often mistakenly called an "orbital conch piercing." However, a true orbital conch piercing would have two piercing holes located within the concha area.

What's Special About the Orbital Conch Piercing?

Orbital conch piercings are visually interesting and rare. There are also a wide variety of jewelry options. If you're looking for a unique and eye-catching piercing for your ear, it might be a great choice.

However, there are things to consider. First of all, most people have a lot of cartilage in the area, making it susceptible to developing complications during the healing process. Because orbitals require piercing the area twice, the chances of experiencing complications essentially double.

This piercing is also rare due to its placement. A true orbital conch would have both holes located within the boundaries of the concha. Instead of two holes in the concha, some people may prefer to place one hole in the concha and the other in another location, such as the helix or rook.

In these cases, wearing a single ring in both piercings would make them orbitals, but they would not be true orbital conch piercings.

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Orbital Conch Piercing Healing Time

On average, an orbital conch piercing can take 6-9 months to heal, but some people may need up to a year to recover completely.

The best way to ensure a speedy recovery is to follow all aftercare instructions provided to you by your piercer. It's also helpful to follow a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and drink enough water, all of which will support your body's ability to heal.

Orbital Conch Piercing Pain

Does orbital conch piercing hurt? On a typical 1-10 pain scale, the average pain level of an orbital conch is about 6-7 for the piercing itself and 2-3 during the healing process. It's known to be one of the more painful piercings, but most people report that the pain is tolerable.

Your actual experience will depend on your own personal anatomy and pain tolerance.

Cost

You can expect to pay around $50 for your service fee plus the cost of your jewelry. Orbital conch jewelry starts around $20 but can cost much more depending on what you choose.

Orbital Conch Jewelry Types

1. Orbital Conch Ring

Titanium hoop simple and minimalist hinged segment clicker $17.9, SHOP NOW.

A ring or hoop is a requirement for any given orbital piercing. For the orbital conch, it's also important to wear a ring during the healing period because it allows the holes to "set" at the desired angle.

2. Barbells

Titanium nose ring curved barbell horseshoe 5 pcs Rosery Poetry

Titanium ring circular barbell horseshoe barbell $18.9, SHOP NOW.

If you want to try a different look, you can swap out your orbital conch ring for a barbell. It's best to opt for a curved, horseshoe, or circular barbell, which will have the same curves as a ring.

Orbital Conch Jewelry Size

1. Gauge

Your gauge size depends on the size of the needle that was used to pierce your ear. The most common size for the conch is 16g (1.2mm). Some piercers may choose to use a 14g (1.6mm) needle instead.

2. Diameter and Length

The length or diameter of your orbital conch jewelry depends on the distance between the two holes that make up the piercing. Furthermore, the placement of these holes depends on multiple factors, such as your ear shape.

For the orbital conch, a ring diameter or barbell length of 10-12mm is a good place to start. To find your exact size, have a piercer or close friend measure the distance between the center of one hole to the center of the other hole.

To determine your size, take the length in millimeters and add 1mm for a snug fit or 2mm for a looser fit.

Hypoallergenic Metals for Orbital Conch Jewelry

The best materials to select for your orbital conch piercing are implant-grade titanium, 14-karat or 18-karat gold, surgical stainless steel, and niobium.

1. Implant-Grade Titanium: About $20-$40

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Implant-grade titanium orbital conch jewelry is strongly recommended. Titanium is a corrosion-resistant shiny metal prized for its low weight and strength. It has a reputation for being the best metal for piercings for many reasons. It is hypoallergenic, lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish.

To be deatiled, titanium is hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause allergic reactions. It’s often recommended for those who are allergic to brass, nickel, and other metals common for jewelry.

Its high density-to-strength ratio means your jewelry is very durable. A lower density also makes titanium lightweight, a big plus for many users. Finally, the metal comes in many colors because you can anodize it.

2. 14-Karat and 18-Karat Gold: About $40-$200

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14-karat and 18-karat gold ear piercing jewelry can offer an elevated look. This metal will not rust or tarnish. It is also easy to decorate and shape. The added alloys in 18k, and especially 14k, make them more durable than 24k gold pieces.

One downside to gold jewelry is the price tag, which is expensive. Another concern will be that the metal is soft, making it susceptible to bends, breaks, and gouges. Also consider if you have allergies, such as an allergy to gold.

3. Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel: About $5-$30

If you opt for stainless steel, you should opt for surgical-grade steel. It often contributes to a smooth healing process and is extremely durable. However, even surgical-grade steel contains small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities.

Talk through all material options with your piercer to figure out what’s best for you and your skin.

4. Niobium: About $20-$60

Niobium is a light grey metal known for its hardness that is like titanium. The metal resists corrosion and tarnishing like others on the list, creating minimal maintenance for you.

It might be the best metal for a piercing if you want titanium-like durability with more malleability. That extra pliability makes it easier for jewelers to shape pieces. Niobium can come in various colors as it is something that you can anodize.

The only real downsides are that it weighs a bit more than titanium and you will likely pay a bit more due to the process involved in manufacturing this metal.

Orbital Conch Piercing Pros and Cons

Pros

Visually interesting
Rare and unique
Wide variety of jewelry options
Accessible in most cities
No specialized equipment/skills needed

Cons

Long recovery period
Relatively painful
Higher risk of complications
Requires getting pierced twice

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Aftercare

You will need to take extra care to clean and sterilize your new piercing every day. Skimping on the cleaning can lead to an ear infection, and scarring, and could even make it impossible to ever get your daith pierced again.

The best advice is to follow your piercing artist’s care instructions.

Avoid sleeping on the ear you had pierced.
Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

How to Clean an Orbital Conch Piercing?

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.
Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.
If you prefer homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.
If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.
Soak a cotton ball in the solution and dab it around the piercing site. Don't remove the jewelry!
Take clean gauze or tissue and pat the area dry.