Auricle Piercings: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Auricle piercings are one of the less common types of ear piercings however they are often confused with other types of cartilage piercings such as helix piercings. These fun ear rim piercings can be added to constellations and adorned with a ring or labret jewellery. There are plenty of types of auricle piercing hoop jewellery which are all stocked at Blue Banana including BCRs, segment rings, and circular barbells. Most auricle piercings are initially pierced with a labret bar. We have gathered all our piercing knowledge to answer your most asked auricle piercing questions, below.

How much does an auricle piercing hurt?

Most people describe auricle piercing pain as a middle-of-the-road experience. Some even give it a rating as low as 3 out of 10 but as with any piercing, it varies from person to person. Since the piercing is through cartilage it will hurt more than a lobe piercing however less than other ear piercings which are performed through thicker parts of the ear.

How long does an auricle take to heal?

The auricle piercing healing time will vary depending on how you care for your piercing. Keeping maximum hygiene will help reduce the amount of time the auricle takes to heal. Cartilage piercings do take time to fully heal so you will need to allow 3-9 months. However, the swelling from the initial piercing should reduce after a few weeks. It can take up to a year to be able to change the piercing jewellery of your new piercing.

What is the most common auricle piercing gauge?

The auricle piercing gauge can vary so make sure to find out which gauge you have been pierced with in order to choose the appropriate size. The most common gauge for cartilage piercings is a 16ga which is 1.2mm. It is important to choose the correct gauge as choosing jewellery that is too small may cause your piercing to close over to the smaller size whereas choosing jewellery that is too large could cause the piercing site to become damaged.

How to take out an auricle piercing?

How to take out an auricle piercing will depend on the type of piercing jewellery you have. Most piercing jewellery such as BCRs and labrets are threaded so can simply be unscrewed and changed. To unscrew your cartilage piercing or release jewellery such as segment rings you may need a small set of jewellery pliers. If you are a piercing pro then you can do this at home and you will find this a handy tool to have. Just make sure everything is fully sanitised and the pliers are specifically designed for jewellery. Remember, if you aren’t sure about removing your own auricle piercing our professional piercers are on hand to assist.

How much does an auricle piercing cost?

The cost of an auricle piercing can vary from store to store and can also be affected by the type of auricle piercing jewellery. Here at Blue Banana, an auricle piercing will cost you between £30 - £35. Most new piercings will use a form of titanium jewellery which is popular due to its hypoallergenic, non-corrosive, and durable qualities.

Is auricle piercing dangerous?

If performed by a professional in a sterile environment an auricle piercing is NOT dangerous. However, there are some risks to be aware of since the piercing will be going through your cartilage unlike other piercings such as lobes which are performed on flesh. Cartilage does not have its own blood flow which is why it can take longer to heal than other types of piercings. It is important to be aware of potential infections caused by lack of aftercare however these only occur in rare cases. One of the most serious is pseudomonas which needs to be treated with specialist antibiotics.

What is a double auricle piercing?

The double auricle piercing consists of two cartilage auricle piercings usually placed close together in a cluster to create a cute piercing jewellery combo. You can actually take this even further and have triple, quadruple or even more auricle piercings to achieve the multiple piercings look you are going for.

Auricle Piercing Vs Helix Piercing

There can be some confusion as to the difference between an auricle piercing vs helix piercing. This is often due to common belief that a helix piercing is a general cartilage piercing placed on the rim of the ear. The key to an auricle piercing is the placement. An auricle piercing is located in between the lobe and helix (traditionally placed at the top of the ear).

If you have any further questions about your piercing then be sure to explore our piercing pages for information on our Piercing Studio Locations, Age Restrictions, Prices, and more.

Auricle Piercing Procedure

Looking for somewhere to get your auricle pierced? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. You don’t need to book an appointment; you can simply show up and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the auricle piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the auricle 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 walk you through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the auricle piercing location.

The piercer typically uses a sterilised gauge needle and passes it through the auricle, inserting the jewellery in the process. The piercing spot is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can agree that you are happy with the location.

Auricle Piercing Aftercare Advice

An auricle piercing can take 3-9 months to fully heal due to the piercing passing through the cartilage of the ear. The healing time varies from person to person and will depend on the quality of care taken during this time.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will impede healing. For example, make sure not to sleep on the side with the new piercing. Other steps that can be taken to give optimum care include tying back long hair, not wearing earphones or other ear coverings, and avoiding contact with any kind of cosmetics including fake tan and hair products.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain good hygiene when caring for your new piercing. Sticking to a strict aftercare regime for your auricle piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Clean your auricle piercing twice a day with a salt water solution by gently bathing it using cotton wool. It can also be beneficial to add Tea Tree Oil to your cleaning routine.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is top-notch, 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 Auricle Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to auricle piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular picks include:

Auricle Piercing Studs
Auricle Piercing Rings

We tend to recommend choosing piercing jewellery such as a labret for the first year of having your auricle piercing as this is much less likely to become caught or knocked against anything, therefore helping your piercing to heal. After the year is up, be sure to explore your other options including a range of auricle piercing hoop jewellery such as classic BCRs and simple-yet-effective segment rings.

If you are looking for a BCR that offers a daintier style then be sure to check out our adorable jewelled BCRs. With a variety of colours available, you can find plenty of cute ear piercing jewellery to help you keep your piercing looking fresh and sweet. Before buying your piercing jewellery always make sure to consider if the size and material will suit your ear.

Jewellery Size – everyone’s ears are different sizes, so make sure to pick auricle jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you pick something with a diameter or gauge that is too wide it may not have such a snug fit. Look out for the diameter in a ring and the length of a labret to ensure it matches with the jewellery you need.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

When searching for a piece of jewellery here are the measurements that you will want to know. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first then Diameter/Length (1.2mm x 8mm) depending on if you are choosing a hoop or straight piece of jewellery.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Diameter – the width across the widest point of the jewellery.
Length – the length of the piercing bar usually not including the ball.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose jewellery with a wider diameter or length. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the guidance from our piercing guides for tips on removing and when to change 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.