Looking to get a conch 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 conch piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the conch 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 you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the conch piercing location. There are two locations to choose from with a conch piercing. The outer conch is placed in the lower cartilage whereas the inner conch is placed in the upper part of the shell of the ear.

The conch piercing procedure typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. They may also use an additional tool to support the ear cartilage while the piercing in performed. There is an alternative way to perform the conch piercing which involves a dermal punch designed to create a larger hole for a bigger gauge of piercing jewellery. This will give the look of a stretched piercing. Since cartilage cannot be stretched, a section of the cartilage is removed to create this effect so make sure this is definitely what you want as you will need a surgical procedure to reverse this. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

A conch 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 need top aftercare to ensure speedy healing.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. For example, make sure not to sleep on the side with the new piercing. Other steps that can be taken to aid with healing 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 top hygiene when caring for your new piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your conch piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Clean your conch 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.

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

• Conch Piercing Hoop
• Conch Piercing Stud
• Conch Piercing Ring
• Conch Piercing Jewellery Surgical Steel

We tend to recommend choosing piercing jewellery such as a labret or straight barbell for the first year of having your conch piercing as this is much less likely to become caught or get knocked against anything, therefore helping your piercing to heal. Once your piercing is fully healed there are plenty of ring and hoop options to try out, which circle around the outer part of the ear – a popular look for conch piercings. 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.

There are a variety of ways to style up the look of your conch piercing, especially if you want to coordinate your look with the rest of your piercings. This includes cute jewelled labrets and a variety of coloured BCRs to fit your vibe. 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 conch jewellery that sits just right in your ear. If you pick a hoop with a diameter or gauge that is too small it may not fit around the outer edge of your ear.
  
• 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 make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Diameter/Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm. 

• Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
• Diameter – the width across the widest point of the jewellery for hoops and rings.
• 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 tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

• Find Your Local BB Studio
• Age Restrictions & Prices
• Aftercare & Cleaning
• Piercing Size & Gauge Guide
• Inserting, Changing & Removing Jewellery
• Piercing Pain: The Ultimate Guide
• Piercing At Blue Banana
• Piercing Laws Around the UK