Scapha Piercings: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

The flat piercing gets its name from the location of the piercing. It is placed on the flat section of cartilage on the upper part of the ear. This area of ear cartilage provides plenty of options for the exact location of your flat ear piercing. Many people combine the flat piercing with other ear piercings to create an overall aesthetic. Find out more about the flat piercings alternative names and FAQs, below.

What is a scapha piercing?

The scapha piercing, also known as the flat piercing, is placed on the upper part of the ear cartilage. Some people use scapha to specifically mean a flat piercing just on the inside edge of the helix, rather than in the centre of the ear.

What is a Tash Rook piercing?

The Tash rook piercing was created by Maria Tash piercing who is thought to have been the first person to perform a piercing in this location. Similar to the flat piercing, usually the Tash Rook refers specifically to a piercing in the middle of the upper cartilage of the ear. This is just above the classic rook position, hence the name.

How long will a flat piercing hurt?

A flat piercing will hurt during the piercing process. Most people describe it as a sharp pain. The large flat surface means the piercing can be done very quickly, therefore you should not experience much pain. After getting a cartilage piercing, such as flat piercing, it is normal for the piercing to hurt because the area is likely to swell. If you piercing becomes very painful you may have an infection so make sure to seek medical assistance. With the correct aftercare you should not experience any problems and virtually no pain after the piercing procedure. When asked ‘How bad do flat piercings hurt?’ we tend to say people usually experience an average of 3 to 4 out of 10 on the pain scale during piercing.

How long does it take a flat piercing to heal?

Flat piercings usually take 3-9 months to heal but some people find they are fully healed after 6 months. The healing time of a flat piercing will vary for each body. If any pressure is put on the piercing or it is knocked it may take longer to heal. Similarly, you should not change the jewellery until it is fully healed so that the new piercing is not moved about too much.

When can I change my flat piercing?

It usually takes between 3-9 months for the piercing to full heal therefore you should not attempt to change the jewellery until it is fully healed. We often recommend waiting a year before changing your piercing jewellery as this will give your flat piercing the chance to completely heal.

How to take out a flat piercing?

The flat piercing will usually be pierced with a labret which features a flat back and ball on a bar. These can be threaded in two different ways. You will either need to unscrew the back of the earring to take out your flat piercing or the ball on the front of the bar. If you are not able to do this with your fingers, you may need to use jewellery pliers. Only do this if you are confident with your piercing and have pliers specifically designed for jewellery. Make sure your hands and the pliers are sanitised before taking out the flat piercing. If you need assistance removing your piercing jewellery then visit one of our Blue Banana stores where a qualified piercer can help you.

How much does a flat piercing cost?

A flat piercing usually costs £30 - £35 depending on the type of jewellery you choose. While the price may be higher for some types of flat piercing jewellery, it is important to choose high quality material in order to aid the healing process. The cost of a piercing also often reflects the experience needed by the piercer to perform the piercing.

There are some variations on flat ear piercings, including double flat piercings and triple scapha piercing. These are clusters of earrings and can be done with most types of ear piercing. The flat piercing is a particularly successfully area for multiple cartilage piercing because of the large surface area. This means almost anyone’s ear can accommodate multiple scapha piercings.

This relatively new piercing is becoming popular with those who enjoy customising their look and creating piercing combos. There’s plenty of cute ear piercing flat jewellery which may add to the popularity of this new cartilage piercing. Want to know more about ear piercings and cartilage piercings? Make sure to check out more of our Piercing Guides to plan your next piercings.

Scapha Piercing Procedure

Decided on getting your flat piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the ear piercing age restriction before coming to the store. In a Blue Banana studio, the flat piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required) or 13 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then the piercer will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the piercing location.

The flat piercing typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location. The piercer may ask you to lie on your side for the flat piercing. They may also put a cork or plug in your ear to protect your ear canal.

Scapha Aftercare Advice

The flat piercing typically takes 3-9 months to fully heal due to it being a cartilage piercing.

During the healing process, there are some activities you will want to avoid such as sleeping on your new piercing and swimming. Knocking or putting pressure on a cartilage piercing can cause the angle to change and the healing process to take longer so be sure to take extra care not to catch your new piercing jewellery and to keep up with your aftercare.

Clean your flat piercing twice a day with salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is first rate, it is also advisable to avoid using soap on your new piercing so be sure to take extra care while washing your ears and removing ear wax.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Scapha Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to flat piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Flat Piercing Earrings
Tash Rook Jewellery

Your scapha piercing will most likely be done with a labret as this reduces the risk of the jewellery catching during the healing process. It is vital for the healing process that you remain patient and don’t change your jewellery until your piercer has advised you to do so.

When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – everyone’s ears are different sizes, so make sure to pick jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you are wearing a bar in your ear you will want to make sure it is a comfortable length. Make sure you also find out what gauge (thickness of jewellery) you have been pierced with.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. Titanium jewellery is a popular choice due to the hypoallergenic and non-corrosive qualities.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose jewellery with a longer bar. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.