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Meet the Experts
What Is a Conch Piercing?
Avoid sleeping on the area and wearing earbuds.
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Do not twist the earring.
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According to Jones, a conch piercing works for many ears and all styles.
“This varies due to how well the aftercare is followed and the client’s general health.”
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Of course, ensuring clean practice during the actual piercing is key.
Both experts agree: Sleeping on the piercing can cause irritation and delay the healing process.
“Anytime you pierce the cartilage, you [risk] inflaming or infecting it,” says Bard.
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“There’s a greater likelihood of prolonged wound healing, pain, and keloid formation.”
For this reason, it’s crucial to practice proper aftercare post-piercing.
This will ensure the piercing is fully healed and ready to be swapped and prevent further damage.
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Plus, your piercer can give you pointers to follow at home based on your earring style.
Since a conch piercing is cartilage, it’s typically more painful than an ear lobe piercing.
Conch piercings take longer to heal, about six to nine months, because they are cartilage.
2016 Mar;17(1):5-8. doi: 10.7181/acfs.2016.17.1.5
