Auricle Piercing: Procedure, Healing and Jewellery

What is an auricle piercing and where on the ear is it placed?

Auricle (pronounced “OR-ih-kul”) is a word of Latin origin that generally means the outer ear. In the piercing world it refers to a specific spot: the middle of the cartilage strip that curves up the outer edge of the ear from where the lobe ends. Roughly, think of it as the point of the ear that sticks out furthest in side profile.

Because this area is cartilage, the auricle belongs to the cartilage piercing group. It heals more slowly than the soft-tissue lobe and needs more careful aftercare. At our studio, cartilage piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle, not a gun; the gun is used on lobes only. To find out why, see piercing gun or needle article.

The difference between the auricle and the helix

The two are often confused because they are close together. The difference is the position:

• Helix: The curved cartilage on the upper rim of the ear. Usually placed in the top third of the ear.
• Auricle: Lower down the same curved rim, roughly at mid-ear height. It is closer to the lobe than the helix.
• Snug: The anti-helix ridge on the inner side of the ear; think of it as running parallel inside the auricle. It depends more on anatomy.

In short, someone who says “I want a helix but a bit lower” is usually looking for an auricle. Because it is a transition point between the lobe holes and the helix in an ear stack, it is often chosen by people who want an ordered, balanced look. For planning, see how to plan an ear stack article.

Who is it suitable for?

An auricle can be done on most ear shapes, because the fold on the ear rim is usually defined. Still, the thickness and width of the fold vary from person to person. If the edge is very thin or flat, the placement can be moved slightly inwards. That is why the piercer examines the ear before the piercing, marks the spot and shows it to you in the mirror; nothing is done without your approval.

Wait or ask first if:

• there is another unhealed cartilage piercing in the same ear,
• you always sleep on that side and it seems hard to change,
• there is an active skin problem, wound or irritation around the ear,
• that ear is under constant pressure from a helmet, headphones or phone use.

Parental consent is required for under-18s; details parental consent article.

How is the procedure done?

1. Consultation: We discuss your ear shape, existing piercings and the look you want. Whether you want a ring or a stud is decided here.
2. Hygiene preparation: New gloves are put on, the area is cleaned with skin antiseptic, and the single-use needle and jewellery are opened from their packs. For our studio hygiene, see studio hygiene page.
3. Marking: The spot is marked with a pen; symmetry and spacing from other holes are checked together.
4. Piercing and jewellery: The needle passes through the cartilage in one movement and the jewellery goes in straight away. The piercing itself takes a few seconds.
5. Aftercare information: The aftercare steps for the first days and the following weeks are explained.

Pain perception varies from person to person. With cartilage piercings, most people feel a brief, sharp pressure, followed by a few hours of throbbing and warmth. To keep expectations realistic, see how much does a piercing hurt article.

Healing time and process

Initial healing of an auricle usually takes 6–12 months ; for some people it can take longer. Looking fine from the outside doesn’t mean the channel has fully healed inside. The typical process is:

• First 1–2 weeks: There may be mild swelling, redness, tenderness and a little bleeding.
• Weeks 2–8: Yellowish-clear crusting (lymph fluid) may appear around the jewellery; this is usually a normal part of healing. To tell the difference, see are crusting and discharge normal? article.
• After 2–3 months: Swelling largely goes down. At this stage, replacing the long starter bar with a shorter one (downsizing) comes up.
• 6–12 months: The tissue matures; jewellery changes and switching to a ring go more smoothly after this stage.

For a comparison of healing times for all piercings, see piercing healing times table article.

Aftercare: dos and don’ts

• Once or twice a day, wet the area with sterile saline solution, then gently pat dry with clean gauze or a paper towel. To choose the right product, see how to choose a saline solution article.
• Don’t twist the jewellery or move it back and forth; don’t pick off crusts with your nails.
• Don’t sleep on the pierced side. A travel pillow with a hole in the middle helps; details sleeping with a piercing article.
• If you use headphones, use the other ear; hold your phone on the other side too.
• Keep hairspray, perfume and dry shampoo away from the piercing; make sure the jewellery doesn’t catch when you tie your hair up.
• Don’t apply products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic cream or tea tree oil to the piercing. For a list of common mistakes, see piercing aftercare don’ts article.

Choosing jewellery: stud or ring?

At the start, a flat-back labret (stud) is usually the better choice. A ring turns and moves more on the ear rim, which can increase irritation and bumps in fresh cartilage. If you want the look of a ring, mention it at the consultation; switching to a ring can be planned once healing is well under way.

• Material: At our studio, standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the price. Titanium jewellery costs 350 TL; when titanium is chosen for a piercing, +350 TL is added to the piercing price. We compared the differences between materials in our titanium piercing jewellery and surgical steel 316L articles.
• Size: A common thickness in cartilage is around 1.2 mm (16G); the first bar is chosen a little long to leave room for swelling. Details piercing jewellery sizes article.
• Top style: Flat discs, small stones or ball tops can be chosen. Large, pointed tops that can catch on hair and clothing can cause problems in the first months.

Possible problems and when to get help

The most common problem with cartilage piercings is a small bump around the jewellery (irritation bump). It is mostly caused by jewellery movement, pressure or using the wrong products, and it subsides once the cause is removed. Details piercing bumps article.

If you see any of these, see a doctor without removing the jewellery yourself: increasing and spreading redness, warmth and swelling; green-yellow, foul-smelling discharge; fever or feeling unwell. Signs of infection in the cartilage should be taken seriously. To tell irritation from infection, see infection or irritation article.

Auricle piercing at our studio

Cadde Piercing Studio is at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı, Istanbul. Procedures at our studio are done by female piercers.

• Opening hours: We are open every day. Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00.
• Booking: You can book an appointment or walk in.
• Payment: Payments at the studio are cash only.
• Price: The auricle is not a separate item on our price list; for suitability and price, message us on WhatsApp (0533 250 01 77). prices You can see prices for similar ear piercings on our page (e.g. helix 450 TL).

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Ask your piercer or doctor about your personal situation.

Official and reliable sources

• APP: Minimum standards for initial jewellery
• APP: Piercing aftercare brochure (PDF)

FAQ

How long does an auricle piercing take to heal?

Initial healing usually takes 6–12 months. As a cartilage piercing it heals more slowly than the lobe; sleeping habits and contact with the jewellery can make it take longer.

Are the auricle and helix the same thing?

No. Both are on the outer cartilage rim of the ear, but the helix is placed at the top, while the auricle is lower down the rim, roughly at mid-ear height.

Can I wear a ring in an auricle piercing?

A ring can be worn after healing is complete. At the start a ring moves more, so a flat-back labret usually causes less irritation.

Is an auricle piercing done with a gun?

No. At our studio, cartilage piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle. The gun is used for lobes only.

Can I sleep on that side after an auricle piercing?

Not recommended in the first months. Pressure can increase swelling and bumps and change the angle of the jewellery. A pillow with a hole in the middle helps during this time.

How much does the price change if I choose titanium jewellery?

Titanium jewellery costs 350 TL; when titanium is chosen for a piercing, +350 TL is added to the piercing price. Standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the price.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.