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Orbital Piercing: Pain, Healing Time, Cost, Variants, Jewelry, Sizes, Aftercare
Piercings are a great way to express your individuality, and the ears offer multiple placements for inserting new jewelry. With the increasing popularity of piercings in general, certain styles just don't stand out from the crowd anymore.
If you want something truly unique and eye-catching for your next ear piercing, consider the Orbital piercing.
What Is an Orbital Piercing?
An Orbital piercing consists of two adjacent piercings that are connected by a single piece of jewelry. Typically, a hoop is used to create the illusion of a floating, or "orbiting," ring.
Unlike many other piercings, the Orbital piercing isn't location-specific. Theoretically, it can be placed anywhere on the body. However, Orbital ear piercings are the most common.
Orbital Ear Piercing Variants
1. Orbital Conch Piercing
An Orbital Conch piercing consists of two piercings that are placed in the conch, which is the middle part of the ear. In most cases, both of the holes are in an area called the "outer conch," or the outermost edge of the ear.
Orbital Vs. Conch Piercing
Are Conch and Orbital piercings the same? No. Although they can produce similar looks, these two types of piercings are fundamentally different. Orbital ear piercings require joining two separate piercings with the same piece of jewelry. On the other hand, the standard Conch piercing requires just one hole.
That being said, some people may refer to a standard Conch piercing as an Orbital piercing or use the terms interchangeably. This is because a standard Conch piercing can look similar to an Orbital piercing when it's fitted with a ring that hugs the outer edge of the ear.
2. Orbital Helix Piercing
The helix is located near the top of the ear, just along the outer edge. An Orbital Helix piercing consists of two piercings placed side-by-side in this area.
3. Orbital Lobe Piercing
Two piercings are placed in the earlobe. If the lobe has already been pierced once, a second piercing is added directly beside it.
4. Cartilage Orbital Piercing
This may refer to any Orbital piercing in the cartilage of the ear. Two piercings may be placed in the same area of the cartilage, or two separate piercings may be incorporated into a single Orbital piercing, such as an outer conch-to-helix.
5. Orbital Rook Piercing
A classic Rook piercing is placed on the ridge of flesh directly under the forward helix. If the Forward Helix is also pierced, the two piercings can be joined to form an orbital rook.
6. Orbital Daith Piercing
The Daith is the ridge of flesh between the ear canal and the rook. To create a Daith Orbital piercing, you must have both your inner and outer conch pierced with a ring threaded through three holes rather than two.
7. Forward Helix Orbital Piercing
Two adjacent piercings are placed in the Forward Helix, or the outer lip of the upper ear on the side closest to your face.
What's Special About This Piercing?
Orbital ear piercings require a little more planning and skill than the usual fare. To achieve this piercing, you must receive both holes in one sitting. Then, a ring will be inserted right away to ensure the piercing holes heal at the correct angles.
Because you're essentially receiving two piercings at once, your chances of developing complications, like rejection or infection, are higher. Orbital ear piercings usually call for an experienced piercer, as well.
For these reasons, the Orbital ear piercing is relatively rare, which can make it feel more special.
Orbital Piercing Pain
Do Orbital piercings hurt? On a standard 1-10 pain scale, most people report an average of 2-3 for Orbital earlobe piercings and 4-5 for Orbital cartilage piercings.
Due to having to manipulate two holes rather than one, it may be slightly more painful than receiving a single cartilage or earlobe piercing. Your actual pain level will vary depending on your personal pain threshold and the anatomy of the area being pierced.
Orbital Piercing Healing Time
Orbital lobe piercings heal rather quickly at an estimated 6-10 weeks. Orbital piercings in the cartilage are expected to take from 6-9 months up to a year to heal completely.
Along with following the correct aftercare steps, the best way to ensure a smooth recovery is to go to a reputable piercer with experience giving orbital piercings.
How Much Does an Orbital Piercing Cost?
You can expect to pay around $50-$100 for an Orbital ear piercing. The price will depend on whether or not jewelry is included, your piercer's experience level, and your location. Because of the increased risk of complications, this is one piercing that you do not want to "cheap out" on.
Orbital Piercing Pros and Cons
Pros
- Visually striking
- Unique and rare
- More options for customization
- Jewelry is affordable and widely available
Cons
- Increased risk of complications
- Limited availability of experienced piercers
Orbital Piercing Jewelry Types
1. Hoops
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Hoops are the standard when it comes to the Orbital look. Along with creating the illusion of a floating ring, hoop jewelry will keep your piercing holes aligned correctly. Captive bead rings or seamless hoop earrings are usually recommended to minimize complications.
Captive Bead Rings
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2. Horseshoe Barbells (Circular Barbells)
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If you want to try a different look, you can swap out your Orbital ring for a barbell. It's best to opt for a horseshoe or circular barbell, which will have the same curves as a ring.
3. Studs
It's technically not an Orbital piercing without a ring. However, you can switch up your look by wearing two studs instead of a single ring. For the cartilage of the ear, flat-back studs are the most comfortable and safest to wear.
4. Chains
Orbital chain jewelry consists of two studs connected by a delicate chain, which creates a draping effect. The chain is easily tangled or caught on foreign objects, so this type of jewelry should be saved for when your piercing has healed completely.
Orbital Piercing Jewelry Sizes
Gauge
Gauge refers to the thickness of the post, which corresponds to the size of the needle used to make the piercing. Earlobes and some areas with thinner cartilage will be pierced at 18g, or 1.0 mm. Most other forms of cartilage piercings require 16g, or 1.2 mm.
Diameter
Diameter expresses the width of a hoop by measuring the distance from one side to the other. The right diameter for any given Orbital piercing depends on its location and the distance between the two piercing holes.
To determine the right size, measure the distance between the holes, choose a few hoops with diameters that are slightly larger than this measurement, and try them on, picking the hoop that feels the most comfortable.
Safe Materials for Orbital Piercings
The best materials to select for your Orbital piercing are implant-grade titanium, 14-karat or 18-karat gold, and surgical stainless steel.
1. Implant-Grade Titanium: About $20-$40
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Titanium Orbital piercing 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 detailed, 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.
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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 may contain 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.
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.
- 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.
You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.
Cleaning
You should start cleaning your ear piercing the same day you receive it. Be sure to take the following steps to keep it clean and reduce potential risks:
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.
Then proceed with the following steps to clean your piercing:
- Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
- If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spay it while healing.
- Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
- Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.
Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.
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