Ear piercings is an ancient Indian practice, which is also known as Karna Vedha. It is one of the 16 sacraments, rituals, and sacrifices in Indian Tradition. Ear Piercings were done to mark the various stages of human life. Ear Piercings signify cultural heritage and upbringing. Cool ear piercings are officially having a moment. Naturally, the types of ear piercings you chose to get matter. In 2023, there are different types of ear piercings for every single vibe, along with tons of earrings to match.
Body art and body piercings have been popular through the ages for their limitless potential for self-expression. Body piercings, while less flamboyant and out-there as a form of body art, are still invasive in nature & require great care and expertise to perform successfully. There are some cardinal rules one must keep in mind when considering any kind of piercing:
Body piercings come in many different formats. There are types of piercings such as for ears, facial, oral, torso, and surface. If you are considering getting one of your own, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite styles and types of piercings that is sure to pique your interest.
With so many options, choosing where to start can be overwhelming. We spoke to top piercing specialists about the coolest piercing trends to try in 2023. From tragus piercings to snakebites, scroll on for the earring/ ear piercing trends that are about to be everywhere.
Types of Ear Piercings Designs
1) Industrial Ear Piercing
A very trendy and fashion-forward type of piercing, industrial piercing is a two-hole piercing worn along the upper edge of the ear. This kind of piercing is sometimes also referred to as a ‘scaffold’ piercing and its signature jewelry is a bar-shaped accessory that connects the two holes.
An orbital is like an industrial but instead of using a barbell that goes through the ear, you use a hoop. Your piercer will pierce your lobe in two places and connect these with a ring. It hurts just slightly more than a helix but the healing time is about the same (4 to 6 months).
Style with: Edgy but sweet, this type of piercing is great with easy-glam looks. A stand-out star on its own, this kind of piercing can go extremely well with a simple slip dress and a pair of chic heels.
2) Conch Ear Piercing
Conch piercings are one of the most attractive types of ear piercings. Named after a shell or a ‘conch’, these types of piercings are done in the center part of your ear. Since this is the ear area with the most space, conch earrings are one of the most customizable styles that open room for experimentation.
Conch earrings come in 2 types – inner and outer. A hole is punched at the center of the ear for the ‘inner’ kind of conch piercing and is often accessorized with a tiny stud. For an ‘outer’ conch piercing, the hole is punctured to allow a hoop or ring to pass through it and go around the outer edge of the ear’s cartilage. Since the conch piercing takes place on a thicker part of the ear, it can be a bit painful and take longer to heal.
Style with: This is a type of piercing that is just made for summer. Rock your swimwear and go bold with your casual outfits with this kind of piercing.
3) Daith Piercing
One of the more badass sounding ear-piercing names – a ‘daith’ piercing is one of the edgier and more painful types of ear piercings to get. A Daith piercing is done on the inner cartilage on the inner part of your ear – at the center. Ultra attractive and with a stand-out look, this is a type of piercing that is sure to turn heads and grab attention.
Although there is no hard scientific evidence to prove it, this style of piercing has been known to alleviate migraines and migraine symptoms. A cool-girl style of ear piercing, a daith piercing is a statement on its own. Popular with celebrities like Zoe Kravitz and Rihanna, a daith piercing is a good choice for anyone who would like to stay ahead of the fashion curve.
Style with: In true cool-girl style, wear your daith piercing with a biker/ puffer jacket to show off your swag. Great with edgier outfits in even the more hippie and 70s kind of space, this is a great option to go for if you like to go for outfits that are on the retro side of things.
4) Ear Lobe Piercing
Out of all the types of ear piercings, this one is 100% the most common and well-known. A lobe piercing is done on the soft and fleshy lobe area of the ear. This is a kind of piercing that is most commonly done in the early years of life, with parental consent and supervision. It is very common in countries like India, for parents to get a lobe piercing done after a baby has finished a minimum of one year of life.
Transverse lobe piercings are a new twist on a time-honored tradition. Instead of passing from the inside to the outside of the earlobe, a barbell is inserted horizontally in this piercing. The size and shape of the ear lobe determine the angle of the transverse piercing. The sole drawback of this piercing is that it frequently takes longer to heal than other varieties.
Style with: Well – just about anything. This is a versatile placement for an ear piercing and it needs no introduction to the world of style and fashion.
5) Helix Piercing
One of the spunkier types of ear piercings, a helix piercing is also a kind of cartilage piercing and it features at the curl on the outside of the upper edge of the ear. Usually done with a small needle, this type of piercing is lower on the pain scale as it features a more fleshy part of the ear’s edge. Apart from lobe piercing, this is one of the more common types of ear piercings.
Style with: A very feminine look, this kind of piercing is great with dresses and is also versatile enough to look cute with hoodies and more smart casual looks.
6) Tragus Ear Piercings
One of the best things about a tragus piercing is that it looks just as cool with single or double piercings as it does with a fully stacked lobe. The tragus piercing is quite adaptable and complements a variety of jewelry designs well. Nevertheless, depending on the size of your tragus, and the portion of your ear that is in front of the ear canal, it may be rather unpleasant to receive.
A type of cartilage piercing performed immediately above the lobe is called an anti-tragus. Despite its name, it has a lot of qualities with the tragus piercing.
7) Snakebites Ear Piercings
Snakebites are popular right now and this piercing design consists of two holes that are closely spaced apart and could have the same jewelry in each or different types of ear piercings earrings. Kaia Gerber’s snakebites, which Studs created in November, have now become one of the studio’s most frequently requested looks.
This piercing looks great with hoops or studs, and you can either mix and match earrings or keep them identical, depending on your vibe. However, the healing process for this one can be a little intense. The snakebite does require more care and attention since two piercings close together can cause extra swelling.
Style with: Already have a single piercing? Another option is to get a second hole slightly closer to your first one so you can double up on small hoops or studs. We love these simple gemstone hoops —not to mention the sapphire-and-emerald color scheme celebrities have been obsessed with lately.
8) Floating Cartilage
While cartilage hurts a little more and takes slightly longer to heal, the flat of your ear makes a fantastic canvas to show off small studs. It’s great for snakebites or a tiny trio of diamonds. This placement is Stone and Strand’s most popular non-lobe piercing. It’s particularly great if you want to make a statement but don’t love the look of maximalist jewelry. The flat of your ear is a wonderful canvas for tiny studs, but cartilage hurts more and heals more slowly. It is effective for treating snake bites or tiny diamond clusters.
Style with: Try mixing plain ball studs with different-sized crystals for an expertly curated look.
There are other types of piercings on other body parts, as described below:
Types of Body Piercings
Navel/Belly Button Piercing
A part of many rebellious teenage excursions, getting a navel piercing is almost a rite of passage when it comes to types of piercings that feature on the body. Being an area that is exposed to a lot of bacteria and bodily fluids, this kind of piercing needs a lot of after-care and maintenance of proper hygiene.
One of the least-known facts about belly button piercings is that it is not actually the navel that gets pierced. The piercing happens on the fat and cartilage just above the belly button and that is actually where the jewelry sits. Although this is one of the more risky types of piercings, minimal pain is involved in the actual process of getting pierced. Your navel shape plays a role, however, in determining whether your body will or will not reject the piercing. Having a few extra folds around the belly button is considered to be more favorable.
Style with: Obviously a great option if you live near a beach and are often donning beachwear, this is the kind of piercing that demands to be seen. Awesome with swimwear, crop tops, and even the Indian sari, a navel piercing can elevate these garments in a game-changing manner.
Erl/Bridge Piercings
A kind of facial nose piercing, an ear/bridge piercing adds an element of edgy glamor to your face. Not a very common style of piercing, this one is sure to make you stand out uniquely. However, it is also one of the types of piercings that require expertise and loads of aftercare. Subtle yet eye-catching, the healing time for this kind of piercing is typically 8 to 10 weeks.
A bridge piercing features a horizontal bar across the bridge of the nose. The risk of rejection, as well as migration, is higher with this style as not many people have a lot of flesh on the bridge of their nose. If you are someone who wears glasses and would like to get this kind of piercing, make sure that your placement is high enough on the bridge of your nose to fit your eyewear comfortably.
Style with: Go athleisure with this look to exude an extremely modern and futuristic vibe. All-black outfits with black t-shirts, military boots, leather jackets, and dark joggers or denim, make this style a complete aesthetic. Check out our catalog of athleisure-inspired casual wear to get your athleisure ducks in a row.
Nostril Piercings
One of the most common types of piercings, second only to lobe types of ear piercings, a nostril piercing takes the cake when it comes to style and defining facial features. Especially popular in India since ancient times, many traditional Indian jewelry options like the nath are centered around this type of piercing.
Pierced through the soft cartilage of the nasal passage, a nostril piercing is relatively less painful to get. It is important to study the shape of your nose to ensure a flattering placement. Even a slight migration can make this piercing look very different.
Style with: If you are thinking of getting this piercing so that you can fashion stunning and OTT Indian jewelry on special days, get yourself a chic, minimal and simple nose ring to maintain your piercing otherwise, in daily life.
Eyebrow Piercing
A type of surface piercing, one should not get this one done in an impulse mode. Eyebrow piercings can go notoriously wrong and it is very important to understand the anatomy and shape of your face to determine its design, its placement, and its jewelry. Sported at one time or the other by the likes of Beyonce and Jennifer Lawrence, this piercing is a serious style statement.
Style with: Every eyebrow piercing style needs an equally edgy and complementary hairstyle. Figure out what works for you and your piercing and style your hair accordingly.
Medusa/ Philtrum Piercing
One of the most striking types of piercings, a medusa piercing is placed at the indenture above the center of your lips, right in the cupid’s bow. Striking, edgy, and very delicate looking, this facial piercing is a little painful and requires a lot of healing and aftercare.
Style with: Go glam with your lipstick to truly make this piercing pop. Keep the eyes neutral and face flushed to balance it out.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our countdown of some of our fave types of body piercings and ear piercings. It takes some serious guts to try some of these, but the stunning style inspirations and the eye-catching.
How does ear piercing work?
Ear piercing can be safe and simple, but there are some important guidelines to follow when you get it done. Depending on where you go for your piercing, and the part of your ear that you choose, a professional with a needle or piercing gun marks a spot and creates a hole. The piercer then places an earring in the hole.
If you know what to expect during the piercing and how to take care of your ear afterward, you’ll cut your chances of infection. Do not do this at home. No matter how many ‘how-to’s you see online, never do this on yourself, by yourself at home. Body piercings, by nature, can attract a host of complications and be a minefield of infections if done improperly. Unless you are an experienced and licensed professional, do not try anybody piercing at home.
Get your body piercing done by an experienced, licensed professional who maintains proper standards of hygiene and uses the correct tools. Always go in with some amount of research of your own, so that you can make better choices and judgments in the course of this process. While body piercings are a very subtle form of body art, they are still permanent & require you to stay informed if you are considering it.
Which is safer, a piercing gun or a needle?
Depending on where you go for your piercing, and the part of your ear that you choose, a professional with a needle or piercing gun marks a spot and creates a hole. The piercer then places an earring in the hole.
Will I feel pain? Will I bleed?
Yes, at least a little. But it’s rare to need anesthesia. Possibly. A little bleeding is normal.
What medical conditions would prevent me from Ear piercing?
Piercing may not be a good idea while you’re pregnant because of the risk of getting an infection. Check with your doctor first if you have: Diabetes, Hemophilia, An autoimmune disorder, A heart condition, A condition that slows or prevents healing, Skin issues in the area you want to be pierced, including a lesion, rash, lump, cut, or mole
What are the risks of Ear piercing?
Piercing breaks your skin and opens the door to problems like:
- Allergic reaction: Jewelry made of nickel or brass can trigger it.
- Infection: People sometimes have redness, swelling, pain, and a discharge after a piercing.
- Skin trouble: You may get problems such as scars and keloids (overgrown scar tissue).
- Blood diseases: You can pick up hepatitis B and C, tetanus, and HIV from equipment contaminated with infected blood.
Who should do the piercing?
Only a professional. Some pediatricians do piercings on young children. Make sure you do research on ear piercing professionals beforehand. Ask people you trust for recommendations, and visit a few piercers to get a feel for the place and person. Some “positives” to look for:
- A clean studio with good lighting
- A selection of hypoallergenic jewelry
The piercing artist must be wearing gloves at all times, mark the spot of your piercing with a fresh marker (which is discarded once used on you), should be using a freshly sterilized piercing needle and completely sanitized equipment (one-use non-reusable ones are preferable), and should be ready to answer any or all questions you may have for them. Do not get too many piercings in one area in one go. Take it slow, and build your piercings over time if that’s what you want.
What kind of jewelry should I choose? What are the different types of ear piercings?
Look for titanium, 14-karat gold, or surgical-grade steel. You can make holes in about 15 places on your ear: Lobe, Upward along the outer cartilage, Inward along the part of the ear attached to your head, Several places in the center
What’s the healing time of Ear piercing?
There are different types of tissue in different parts of your ear, so how long it takes to heal depends on your body and the place you’ve pierced. Earlobes usually take 6-8 weeks. If you pierce the cartilage on the side of your ear, it can take 4 months to a year. Ask your piercing professional for an estimate.
Where to Get the Ear Piercings Done?
- Research local piercing studios and read reviews to find reputable places.
- Ask friends or family for recommendations based on their experiences.
- Visit professional tattoo parlors that offer piercing services.
- Check out jewelry stores near you that offer ear piercing services.
- Consult with a healthcare professional for guidance and recommendations.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these top coolest types of ear piercings to try in 2023 offer a wide range of options for those looking to express their individuality and style. Whether you prefer a subtle and delicate look or a bold and daring statement, there is a piercing on this list to suit your taste. Embrace the opportunity to adorn your ears with these fashionable and trendy choices.
