Where it goes
Choose a spot to see what it costs, how long it heals, and whether it suits you.
Most spots are $150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold. Hollow marks are titanium only.
Lobe
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold. Both lobes in one visit are $200 in titanium, or from $600 in gold.
Three to six months.
The least painful spot: a firm pinch, over in a second.
Every ear does.
A threaded end or a threadless pin, in titanium or gold. Gold can go in on the day.
Helix
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
About nine months.
Short and sharp, and less than most people expect. The first fortnight is sorer than the piercing itself.
Almost every ear does.
A threaded end or a threadless pin. Gold can go in on the day, or once the bar has come down.
No over-ear headphones for the first three months. Earbuds on the other side are fine.
Forward helix
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
Nine to twelve months.
Short and sharp, much like a helix.
It needs a spot that clears the small fold at the front of the ear, so we check at the table.
A small end that sits flat. Stones stepped along the rim suit it.
Sleep on the other side, and no over-ear headphones for the first three months.
More on the forward helix piercing
Tragus
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
Ten to twelve months.
Short and sharp, and less than most people expect.
Small solitaires and fine clusters suit it best.
No earbuds on that side for at least three months. Glasses are fine.
Conch
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
Nine to twelve months.
It takes a beat longer than a helix, but it is still brief. The first fortnight is sorer than the piercing.
It has room for larger pieces: clusters, halos and sculptural designs.
Sleep on the other side for six months, and skip deep earbuds for the first three.
Rook
$150 in titanium, or from $350 with a gold end.
Nine to twelve months.
More than a helix, because it goes through a thick fold, but it is over in seconds.
It depends on the fold inside your ear. Some ears are too flat to hold it well, so we check at the table before anything is marked.
A curved titanium bar. Small rings suit it once it has healed.
Do not sleep on it while it heals. A travel pillow lets your ear rest in the hole.
Daith
$150 in titanium, or from $500 with a gold ring.
Nine to twelve months.
It takes a moment longer than a helix: sharp pressure, then sore for a few weeks.
We hold pieces up against your ear before anything is marked, so you see which ones sit right.
A ring sits best. Gold can go in from the first day.
Use a travel pillow while it heals. Once it has healed, around nine months, you can sleep on it.
Snug
$150, in titanium only.
About twelve months.
More than a helix, because it goes through a thick ridge, but it is over in seconds.
Many ears cannot hold one. The inner ridge has to stand out with enough depth, so we check before anything is marked.
A curved titanium bar that runs along the ridge.
Sleep on the other side, and no earbuds on that side while it heals.
Industrial
$180, in titanium only.
Ten to twelve months.
It is two piercings in one visit, each no worse than a helix. The healing asks more of you than the piercing does.
It depends on the shape of your upper ear. The bar has to run at a clean angle, so we check at the table.
A straight titanium bar, sized to your ear.
No over-ear headphones while it heals. In-ear buds are fine.
More on the industrial piercing
Nostril
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
Nine to twelve months.
Quick and sharp. Most people's eyes water for a moment, which is a reflex, not a sign it hurt more.
Either side suits. We can mark both so you see them in the mirror first.
A flat-back post to start. A ring can go in once it has settled, at or after your downsize.
Keep makeup and skincare off it for the first six weeks.
Septum
$150 in titanium, or from $500 with a gold ring.
About three months.
A brief, intense pinch and watery eyes, over in seconds. Placed well, it goes through soft tissue, not cartilage.
Most noses do. We find the right spot at the table.
A ring. Gold can go in from the first day, and a titanium ring can flip up out of sight.
You can flip it up to hide it for work.
Lip
$150 in titanium, or from $350 in gold.
Three to six months.
A quick pinch, then some swelling for a few days.
It is placed to clear your teeth and gums, which we check at the table.
A flat-back post. It is shortened at your four-week checkup, once the swelling has gone down.
Rinse with water after eating while it heals.
Vertical lip
$150 in titanium, or from $350 with a gold end.
Three to six months.
A quick pinch, then some swelling for a few days.
It needs enough fullness in the lower lip for a curved bar, so we check at the table.
A curved titanium bar, with both ends showing. The ends can be gold.
Rinse with water after eating while it heals.
Bridge
$150, in titanium only.
Three to six months.
More pressure than pain, because it goes through skin, not cartilage.
It needs enough skin to pinch between the eyes, so we check at the table.
A straight titanium bar.
Glasses can press on it, so wear contacts or light frames while it heals.
Eyebrow
$150 in titanium, or from $350 with a gold end.
Two to three months.
A quick pinch through skin.
We place it along the natural line of your brow, usually towards the outer end.
A curved titanium bar. The ends can be gold.
Keep makeup and brow products off it while it heals.
Navel
$150 in titanium, or from $350 with a gold end.
Three to six months.
A quick pinch through skin.
It needs a defined rim above your navel for the bar to sit in, so we check at the table.
A curved titanium bar. The top end can be gold.
Keep high waistbands and belts off it while it heals.
Nipples
$150 for one, or $240 for both, in titanium.
Three to six months.
More than a lobe or most cartilage, but over in a fraction of a second. Tender for a few days after.
We look at the anatomy first, and place it level and centred through the base.
A straight titanium bar. Gold ends are ordered in for you, because the tray has none that suit.
A soft cotton or sports bra protects it from snagging. Keep underwire off it.
Genital
First, a $30 look with Tom, which comes off the piercing. The piercing is priced at the look.
It depends on the piercing. A VCH takes around two to three months, a Prince Albert three to four.
A VCH is a sharp pinch, over in a second. It goes through the hood, not the clitoris.
Anatomy decides, so we check in private before anything is marked.
Titanium, chosen for your anatomy.
Tom, in a private room with full draping. You can bring a support person.
More on VCH and vulva piercings and Prince Albert and penis piercings.