Piercing Guide: Types, Placements & Aftercare
Piercings aren't just holes — they're a statement. Whether you're getting your first lobe piercing or building out a full ear curation, knowing your placements, gauges, and aftercare keeps your look sharp and your skin happy.
PIERCING TYPES & PLACEMENTS
Ear Piercings
Lobe, helix, tragus, conch, industrial — your ear is a canvas. Mix studs, hoops, and barbells to build a curated look that's 100% you.
→ Shop Cartilage Jewelry | [Industrial Barbells
Nose Piercings
Nostril, septum, bridge — nose jewelry ranges from subtle studs to statement hoops that don't ask permission.
→ Shop Nose Rings | [Septum Rings
Lip & Facial Piercings
Labret, Monroe, Medusa, Ashley, vertical labret, eyebrow — facial piercings are where personality meets precision.
→ Shop Lip & Labret | [Eyebrow Rings
Tongue Piercings
Centered through the tongue, worn with barbells. Simple placement, serious impact — and aftercare matters more here than almost anywhere else.
→ Shop Tongue Rings
Body Piercings
Navel, nipple, surface — these placements are built to complement your anatomy and turn heads doing it.
→ Shop Belly Button Rings | Nipple Rings
PIERCING CARE
Healing right means wearing it longer, looking better, zero drama.
Clean Regularly
Sterile saline or piercing aftercare spray, twice a day. Wash your hands before you touch anything.
Hands Off
Don't twist it, don't spin it, don't mess with it. Every touch is a chance for irritation.
Give It Time
Healed on the outside doesn't mean healed underneath. Follow your timeline, not your impatience.
Stay Out of Standing Water
Pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans — skip them while healing. Bacteria doesn't care how good your jewelry looks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long do piercings take to heal?
Depends on the placement. Lobes are quick — 6 to 8 weeks. Cartilage (helix, tragus, conch) plays the long game at 6 to 12 months. Navel, nipple, and surface piercings also take months. Looks healed on the outside? Doesn't mean it's done underneath.
What jewelry material is best for piercings?
Implant-grade titanium is the gold standard — lightweight, durable, biocompatible, built to not fight your skin. High-quality surgical steel holds its own too, with serious durability and shine. Skip anything less.
When can I change my jewelry?
Wait until it's fully healed. Full stop. Swap too early and you're risking irritation, extended healing, or bacteria getting somewhere it shouldn't. Not sure if you're healed? Ask a pro before you touch it.
How do I know what size jewelry I need?
Comes down to placement, gauge, and length or diameter. If you're already wearing something, measure it. If you're not sure, our Gauge Chart & Size Guide breaks it down in gauge and millimeters.
What are the most common piercing gauges?
20G–18G for nose, 16G for cartilage, tragus, helix, and labret, 14G for belly, nipple, and tongue. Lower number, thicker jewelry — that's the rule.
Can I swim with a new piercing?
Hold off. Pools, lakes, oceans, hot tubs — all bacteria hotspots your healing piercing doesn't need. If you can't avoid it, hit it with saline afterward.
Can I use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on my piercing?
Don't. Both dry out and irritate healing tissue — the opposite of what you want. Sterile saline and gentle cleaning is the move, every time.
Ready to build your collection?
→ Shop Best Sellers | New Arrivals