Cartilage Piercing Size Guide
Cartilage ear piercings are a must-have when you want to create a personalised, unique, and very of-the-moment ear party look. But once you’ve decided to take the piercing plunge, how do you choose the perfect placement and the cartilage earrings that will not only complete your stack, but fit comfortably?
Cartilage piercings can be a little trickier than lobes due to the way they heal and how you wear your earrings, but with our Medley guide to cartilage piercings and earrings, you can confidently start preparing for your epic ear stack.
What is a cartilage piercing?
Cartilage piercings refer to piercings in the tough, ‘bony’ part of your ear – essentially, every part that isn’t your lobe. Cartilage piercings typically take longer to heal than those in your earlobe, and this process can be a bit different for everyone.
Different types of earrings are also recommended for your cartilage, to allow for an ideal fit and greater comfort.
Read on to discover our specially-designed cartilage earrings at Medley, the types of cartilage piercings and how to choose the right earring fit.
Our Cartilage Earrings
At Medley, our range of helix earrings are specifically designed to wear in your cartilage piercings.
Our cartilage stud earrings feature an internally threaded closure, which means that the earring backing screws into the earring post. This creates a smooth finish and comfortable, secure wear. To allow for various ear sizes and different stages of healing, our helix studs each come in two length options – 6.5mm and 8mm – so you can choose your best fit.
All of our helix studs have a post width of 1mm-1.2mm (18 & 16 gauge), for a comfortable fit in most cartilage piercings. The gauge refers to the width of the post that will go through your ear piercing, and also the needle size used to create your piercing.
All crafted in 10k gold or 925 sterling silver, our cartilage earrings are high quality and safe from any potential irritations caused by plated or painted colours, or lower-grade metals. And, each finished with a smooth flatback, they’re super comfortable for day-to-day wear.
Once your cartilage piercings are fully healed and you want to experiment with your ear stack, graduate to our helix huggies for more of a statement look.
How to Wear Internally Threaded Earrings
Follow a few simple steps to put on your cartilage earrings and ensure a comfortable, secure wear:
- Put the earring backing in place first. Push it through your piercing from the back of your ear.
- Line up the front part of your earring so that the post slides over the screw backing.
- Screw the earring front to the backing, tightening until it feels secure and comfortable.
Types of Ear Piercings
- Lobe – the classic spot for an ear piercing, your lobe is the fleshy part at the bottom of your ear.
- Helix – your helix is the outermost fold of cartilage that curves from above your lobe, right up and around to the side of your face.
- Conch – your conch is the innermost part of your ear cartilage.
- Rook – the top inner ridge of your ear, just inside the helix.
- Tragus – the piece of cartilage directly in front of the opening to your ear canal, against the side of your face.
- Daith – the innermost ‘fold’ of ear cartilage, just above the tragus.
- Forward Helix – the area where your ear helix curves in and around to meet the side of your face.
Cartilage Styles
Recommended Earring Size
Things to Keep in Mind when Choosing Your Earring Size
Make sure you really get the perfect fit by keeping these tips in mind.
Anatomy
Different factors can affect your piercing sizing, such as: Anatomy. Naturally, everyone’s ears are different, and what might fit someone else might not fit you.
Piercing gauge. Check out our guide above to the typical gauges used for each ear piercing spot. The width of your piercing will affect the width of earring post that’s most comfortable and wearable for you.
We always recommend asking your piercing professional for advice on the best post length and gauge, as well as the best type of cartilage earring to wear if you are not sure.
Healing Time
Cartilage piercings can take up to 12 months to heal entirely. Unlike your earlobe, which is just skin, cartilage is a tougher tissue. It also receives less blood supply than the lobe, which is an essential part of the healing process.
With a longer healing time, keep in mind that you’ll likely be dealing with swelling for longer. While healing, you should opt for a longer earring post length to give your ear some room.
Help the healing process along by keeping your piercing clean. Your piercing professional should be able to recommend a good saline solution and advice on how often you should clean your piercing. Avoid fiddling with your piercing too much, as this can irritate the area – and make sure your hands are clean before touching your piercing too!
Now that you have the lowdown on cartilage piercings and the best earring options for your chic new piercing placement, explore our range of cartilage earrings at Medley and curate your unique look.
Helix Jewellery
Shop All Earring Styles
FAQs
Cartilage piercings can be more painful than earlobe piercings due to the denser and tougher tissue. However, the pain level varies from person to person and depends on factors such as individual pain tolerance and the specific location of the piercing. Different cartilage areas such as helix, tragus and conch, can vary in sensitivity. Individual pain threshold differ; what is mildly uncomfortable for one person might be more painful for another. PRofessional piercers using a needle often cause less pain and trauma compared to piercing guns. Proper aftercare can redcue discomfort and prevent complications like infections, which can cause additional pain. Most people describe the initial piercing as a quick, sharp pinch. The pain is usually brief, lasting only a fe seconds during the piercing. After the procedure some soreness, swelling, and tenderness can be expected for a few days to weeks. Pains hould diminish as the piercing heals, typically within 3-6 months, though full healing can take up to a year. Overall, while cartilage piercings might be more painful than lobe piercings, the pain is generally manageable and short-lived. Proper aftercare is crucial for minimizing discomfort and ensuring a smooth healing process.
A helix piercing is a specific type of cartilage piercing. Cartilage percings refer to any piercing that goes through the cartilage, which is the firm tissue in the ear above the earlobe. Cartilage piercings include several types of piercings such as helix, tragus, conch, rook, daith, and more. A helix piercing is located on thw ipper outer rim of the ear. Can include single, double, triple or forward helic piercings. While all helix piercings are cartilage piercings, not all cartilage piercings are helix piercings. Helix refers specifically to the upper outer rim of the ear, whereas cartilage piercing is a broader term that encompasses any ear piercing through the cartilage.
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Sleeping with a new piercing can be uncomfortable. To prevent irritation, it's recommended to sleep on the opposite side or use a U-shaped travel pillow that cushions the ear. This prevents pressure on the piercing and reduces the risk of infection.
Nerve damage from cartilage piercings is rare but can happen if the piercing is incorrectly placed, especially in areas with more nerve concentration. To minimize this risk, always choose an experienced, professional piercer. Signs of nerve involvement might include sharp pain or unusual sensations, so seeking medical advice is important if this occurs.
