Lobe piercing in Auckland — what to know before you book

Lobe piercings are the most common thing we do at Platinum Point — and among the most frequently done badly in Auckland. Not because the technique is complex, but because most studios rush it: a pre-set mark, a gun rather than a needle, and jewellery that is unsuitable for healing. Small decisions at the start that compound over the weeks and months that follow.

If you are looking for a lobe piercing in Auckland — whether it is your first, an additional lobe, or an upgrade on one that never healed well — this guide covers what to expect, how to choose a studio, what the healing process actually involves, and what jewellery options are available once you are healed. Clients come to us from across Auckland: from Remuera, Newmarket, Ponsonby, the North Shore, and further afield. The questions they ask tend to be the same ones, so we have tried to answer them here.

Needle, not gun — and why it matters in New Zealand

We use a needle for every piercing at Platinum Point, including lobes. A piercing needle removes a precise core of tissue and leaves clean edges — the healing tissue can form a smooth fistula (the skin-lined tunnel that becomes your piercing channel) with minimal interference.

A piercing gun works differently. It forces blunt-ended jewellery through tissue by mechanical compression, displacing rather than removing cells. The result is crushed tissue that has to be broken down and cleared before healing can properly begin. It also makes precise placement harder — a gun is a fixed mechanism, and the mark is easier to shift than it is with a carefully held needle.

In New Zealand, piercing guns remain common in jewellery chains, pharmacies, and some mall-based studios — particularly for children's first lobes, where parental familiarity with the process often outweighs awareness of the alternatives. Understanding the difference before you book is worth the few minutes it takes. We see clients from Newmarket, Remuera, and the Auckland CBD who have had gun piercings done elsewhere and come to us because they never healed cleanly. The fix is usually straightforward, but it involves waiting for the original site to settle and starting again properly.

Anatomy first — why placement isn't one-size-fits-all

Lobes vary considerably from person to person. Thickness, shape, how attached or free the lobe sits, existing scar tissue from previous piercings, and skin quality all affect what is possible and what will look good long-term. This is why your appointment at Platinum Point starts with an anatomy assessment before anything is marked.

Placement decisions include: how high or low on the lobe, how far from the edge, and — for multiple lobes — how the spacing will work visually and practically (enough room for the jewellery to sit without overlapping, and enough space to accommodate the longer initial posts required during healing).

You confirm the mark before the piercing proceeds. If the position doesn't feel right, we adjust. Precision at this stage determines how the piercing looks for the rest of your life, so we don't rush it.

What happens at your appointment

A single lobe appointment at Platinum Point runs around 20–30 minutes. Two lobes in the same session adds a little time. Here is the sequence:

• Consultation and anatomy check: Your piercer assesses your lobe, discusses placement, notes any existing piercings or scar tissue.
• Marking: Placement is marked and confirmed with you using a mirror. You approve the position before anything proceeds.
• Piercing: A single needle pass — fast, precise, with minimal tissue trauma. The starter jewellery is inserted at the same time.
• Aftercare briefing: You leave with written aftercare instructions. We also send a digital copy.

The piercing itself takes seconds. The appointment is longer because the preparation — the conversation, the anatomy assessment, the marking and confirmation — is where the important work happens.

Starter jewellery — what you are healed in matters

Every piercing at Platinum Point starts with ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium flat-back labrets. These are the same grade of titanium used in surgical implants and orthopaedic hardware — inert in tissue, smooth-surfaced, and available in anodised colours as well as polished silver finish.

The initial post is longer than the final jewellery you will wear long-term. This is deliberate — it accommodates the swelling that occurs in the first week or two. A post that is too short during this period can embed into the tissue, which is uncomfortable and delays healing. At 6–8 weeks, you return for a downsize: the longer post is replaced with a shorter one that sits flush against the lobe. This is a clinical step, not optional, and one of the most important parts of the healing process.

The downsize is one of the most underrated steps in lobe healing. A post that is too long creates movement every time you touch or roll over on your ear. That movement is minor, but over weeks it delays the tissue from settling into a stable fistula. Come back at 6–8 weeks.

The healing timeline

Lobes heal faster than cartilage piercings. Here is a realistic breakdown of what to expect:

• Days 1–3: Some swelling and tenderness. The area around the piercing may be warm. This is a normal immune response — the body is beginning to manage the wound.
• Week 1–2: Swelling subsides. Some clear or whitish discharge (lymph fluid) is normal and not a sign of infection. Do not rotate the jewellery — this is old advice that damages healing tissue.
• 6–8 weeks: Initial healing. The outside of the fistula has formed. Return for your downsize during this window.
• 3–4 months: The fistula is fully established through its depth. Fine gold or platinum jewellery can be fitted at this stage.
• 6 months: The piercing is considered mature. You can wear most jewellery styles without concern.

Things that slow lobe healing: jewellery that snags on pillowcases (a silk pillowcase or travel pillow with a cut-out can help), poor-quality jewellery causing a low-grade reaction, and skipping the downsize. Overwashing — more than twice daily — also disrupts healing by removing the sebum that helps the fistula mature.

Aftercare — what we recommend

Our aftercare guidance is consistent with APP (Association of Professional Piercers) standards and refined by what we see works in our Auckland studio:

• Saline spray: Sterile saline (wound wash) twice daily. Spray directly onto the piercing, leave for 30 seconds, allow to air-dry or pat dry with clean paper towel. Avoid cloth towels — fibres catch on jewellery.
• Hands off: Do not touch the piercing except to clean it. Do not twist or rotate the jewellery.
• Shampoo rinse: When washing your hair, rinse the piercing with clean water afterwards. Shampoo and conditioner residue on healing tissue can cause irritation.
• No submerging: Avoid pools, hot tubs, and the ocean during initial healing. These introduce bacteria to an open wound.
• Check the disc: The flat back disc should sit flush against the back of the ear. Check weekly that it has not loosened.

If you notice persistent swelling, heat, or pus (as opposed to clear lymph discharge), contact us on 09 949 0940 or visit the studio at 389 Parnell Road, Parnell. We can assess whether it is a healing response or needs attention.

Single and double lobes — what to consider

Single lobe piercings — one per ear — are the most common starting point for clients beginning a curated ear. Two looks clean and balanced by itself, and gives you the flexibility to add more later without being locked into a particular configuration.

Double lobe piercings — two per ear — are equally popular and can usually be done in a single session. The key considerations: your anatomy needs to support two well-spaced placements, and you need to be prepared to manage two healing piercings simultaneously on each ear. Most clients handle this without difficulty when the jewellery is appropriate and aftercare is consistent.

A third lobe, or a transition from a standard lobe to a high lobe placement, enters different tissue — slightly firmer and with a different blood supply — and should be assessed individually. We will advise on whether your anatomy suits a particular placement before committing to it.

Jewellery for healed lobes

Lobes are one of the most versatile placements for jewellery. Once healed, the options include:

• Flat-back labrets with decorative ends: The most flexible option. The post length stays the same; you change only the top — a gemstone, a shaped gold piece, a cluster. BVLA offer a large range of ends for this format.
• Seam rings: A continuous ring that sits in the lobe. Clean, minimal, and one of the most elegant options for a single lobe. Works especially well in smaller gauges.
• Clickers and hinged rings: Easy to open and close; well-suited to lobes where you want to change jewellery regularly.
• Drops and dangles: For clients who want movement. These generally require a healed, mature piercing and a post that can support the weight of the piece.
• Huggies: Small, close-fitting hoops. A popular everyday option that works well alongside cartilage jewellery in a curated composition.

All jewellery at Platinum Point is BVLA — handcrafted in solid 14k or 18k gold and 950 platinum in Los Angeles. For lobes in particular, this is often where a curated ear composition begins: one or two well-chosen pieces that set the tone for everything that follows.

Pricing for lobe piercing in Auckland

Our lobe piercing service includes the appointment, anatomy consultation, precise needle piercing, and implant-grade ASTM F136 titanium starter jewellery. Full pricing is on our pricing page. BVLA solid gold jewellery upgrades start from $180 per piece — a price that reflects handcrafted solid gold construction, not plating.

We are aware that other Auckland studios charge less. The difference is the standard of jewellery (implant-grade titanium and solid gold versus mystery metal or plated alloys), the technique (needle, not gun), and the approach to the appointment itself. For a piece of jewellery you may wear for decades, the starting investment is modest.

Where to find us in Auckland

Platinum Point is at 389 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052. We are open Monday, Wednesday–Sunday by appointment. Clients travel from across Auckland — Ponsonby, Newmarket, Remuera, the CBD, and the North Shore — as well as from further afield for BVLA jewellery fittings and ear curation consultations.

Book online at platinumpoint.nz/book, or call us on 09 949 0940. If you are considering multiple placements alongside your lobes, our ear curation consultation is the most considered way to plan the full composition before committing to any single piercing.