Are you stuck deciding between a conch and tragus piercing? It can be tricky, but your decision gets easier when you know what each piercing brings to the table.
In this conch vs tragus guide, you’ll find out the definition of each piercing, their pros and cons, and how they stack up regarding pain levels, healing, price, and popularity. By the end of this guide, you’ll discover which piercing resonates best with your style.
What is a conch piercing?
A conch piercing sits on the cartilage in the inner cup-like part of the ear, resembling a conch shell, hence the name. There are two types: the inner and outer conch. The inner conch sits in the conch’s center, closer to the daith, while the outer conch sits further out towards the ear’s outer edge.
The initial jewelry for the conch piercing is usually a stud. After healing, you can take out the starter jewelry and wear different conch piercing jewelry like hoops or captive bead rings.
What is a tragus piercing?
A tragus piercing sits on the cartilage flap that partly covers the ear canal entrance — that protruding cartilage is called a tragus. A stud is the best starter jewelry for this piercing; you can wear a petite hoop after healing.
Conch vs tragus piercings: Pros and cons
Now, let’s talk about the good and bad of each of these piercings. We’ll start with the conch piercing.
Conch piercing pros and cons
Here’s what’s good about the conch piercing:
- It’s easy to hide because it sits in the inner ear
- It’s versatile; you can choose between an inner or outer conch
- Most people can get a conch piercing regardless of their ear anatomy
- Conch piercings create a pretty yet sophisticated vibe
On the other hand, here are the cons of a conch piercing:
- It’s very painful
- It takes longer to heal compared to lobe piercings
Tragus piercing pros and cons
The tragus has the following pros:
- It’s less painful than a conch piercing
- You can wear hoops, studs, or rings on a tragus
- Some believe a tragus piercing helps with treating headaches
On the flip side, here are some cons:
- It sits in an open spot, so it snags easily
- It can quickly get infected from products like makeup, perfumes, and hair sprays
- It takes longer to heal than a lobe piercing
Conch vs tragus piercings: How they stack up
Let’s now do a side-by-side comparison of the conch and tragus piercings. We’ll consider these factors: pain, popularity, price, and healing time.
Pain
Both are cartilage piercings, so they’re not the least painful. People rate the conch piercing pain level at 6 out of 10, while the tragus piercing is at 5 out of 10, making the conch piercing more painful.
Remember, pain is relative, and your ear anatomy may influence how much pain you experience during a procedure. For example, people with a thick tragus felt more pain than those with a thin tragus.
Healing
Conch and tragus piercings take about the same time to heal — 6-12 months. The length of the healing period is determined by your body’s natural healing rate and good aftercare practices.
💡 Take Note: You can help a conch or tragus piercing heal faster by cleaning it regularly, avoiding contact with chemicals like makeup, body spray, and hair spray, and wearing safe metals like titanium.
Price
Conch piercings cost between $30 and $50, while tragus piercings cost between $25 and $50. So, they’re about the same price. Factors like location, type of piercing studio, and the piercer’s experience level can influence the cost of either piercing.
Popularity
The conch and tragus piercings have become increasingly popular in recent times. While both piercings are famous, the tragus piercing ranks higher. It currently has about 573,000 hashtags on Instagram, while the conch piercing has about 477,000. So, if you want the more popular piercing, the tragus piercing is for you.
Frequently asked questions
Still undecided about whether to get a conch or tragus piercing? We’re answering other questions you might have.
What is the downside of a tragus piercing?
The biggest downside of a tragus piercing is the risk of infection. A tragus piercing sits in an “open” spot, so hair strands, makeup, or hair sprays can come in contact and infect it. An infection can ruin a tragus piercing, making it hard to heal and unusually painful.
Is the conch or tragus piercing more painful?
The conch piercing is more painful, with a pain level of 6 out of 10 (tragus is 5 out of 10). But if you have a thick tragus, you may find a tragus piercing more painful.
Can you wear Airpods with a tragus or conch piercing?
Yes, you can. However, there are a few rules guiding wearing Airpods with tragus or conch piercings:
- Wait for at least two to three days before wearing Airpods, although it’s best to wait until the piercing fully heals.
- Wear only clean Airpods on your piercing — you don’t want germs from the Airpods to infect your piercing.
- Wear snug Airpods, not ones that’ll move around in your ear and rub against the piercing.
- Avoid wearing the Airpods too long; remove them occasionally to “free” your piercing.
Is conch the most painful piercing?
Even though a conch piercing is more painful than a tragus (and some other piercings), it’s not the most painful piercing. The industrial piercing, for example, is more painful than the conch piercing, ranking at 7 out of 10 on the pain scale.
What are the disadvantages of a conch piercing?
A conch piercing is very painful, making it unsuitable for people with a low pain threshold. Also, it takes a longer time to heal than lobe piercings.
What does the conch piercing symbolize?
The conch piercing sits in a hidden spot on the ear, so it’s said to symbolize mystery and seclusion. Also, because its location is common in acupuncture treatments, some believe it helps relieve pain.
Can I sleep on a conch piercing?
No, you cannot sleep on a fresh conch piercing as this can cause it to migrate or distort its position. You can sleep on a conch piercing after it heals completely.
What are the benefits of a conch piercing?
One benefit is that a conch piercing works for different ear anatomies — most people can get it. You can also choose between an inner or outer conch, so this piercing is flexible. And, of course, it creates a lovely aesthetic.
A conch or a tragus?
We believe our conch vs tragus guide has answered your questions. So what’s it going to be for you? Choose a conch piercing if you want a versatile piercing with different placement options (there’s the inner or outer conch). Go for a tragus piercing if you want a less painful piercing with more popularity. Remember, the best piercing is the one that’s right for you.
💎 You should know: We use affiliate links throughout our site. This means we may earn a cent or two when you make a purchase on our site. Thanks for adding to our shine.
