A second hole in the ear: second lobe piercing guide

When can you get a second lobe hole?

The timing depends on the condition of your existing holes:

• If your first hole is years old and problem-free: There is no waiting time for a second hole; both ears can get a second hole in the same session.
• If your first hole is new: A lobe takes about 6–8 weeks to heal. Piercing the same area again before redness, discharge and tenderness have gone can make the two holes irritate each other. It is easier to move on to the second once the first hole has settled.
• If there is a problem with the first hole: If a problem such as redness, discharge, a bump or embedded jewelry continues, it needs to be resolved first. To tell the difference: piercing infection or irritation?

The lobe is soft tissue and heals much faster than cartilage. So if you are planning an ear with many piercings, completing the lobe holes first and then moving on to cartilage piercings such as the helix, tragus or conch makes healing easier.

Where is the second hole placed? How is the spacing decided?

The position of the second lobe hole is not set by a “standard centimetre” but by looking at your ear. Before piercing, the points are marked with a pen and checked together in the mirror. The main things considered:

• Jewelry not knocking together: The stones or rings of the earring in the first hole and the one in the second hole should sit without rubbing against each other. If you plan to wear large stone earrings or hoops, the spacing is kept a little wider.
• Size of the lobe: Small lobes can comfortably fit two holes and larger lobes three. Holes placed too close together can stretch toward the same channel over time.
• The cartilage border: If the upper lobe point is too close to where the cartilage begins, the piercing heals like a cartilage piercing rather than a lobe piercing, and the time goes from weeks to months. That is why the second and third holes are planned to stay within the lobe tissue.
• Symmetry: If both ears are getting a second hole, the points are marked so they look the same height on both sides. Since ears are never exactly identical, they are aligned by looking at the face rather than by measuring.

If you like an asymmetric ear stack, getting a second hole in only one ear is also a common choice. For stack ideas: how to plan an ear stack.

Needle or piercing gun?

The lobe is the only area where our studio uses a piercing gun; all other piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle. Both options are offered for the lobe:

The difference between the two methods and which suits whom: piercing gun or needle? About the titanium option: why choose titanium piercing jewelry.

How is the procedure done?

1. Your ear is checked, and the condition of your existing holes and the earrings you want to wear are discussed.
2. The area is cleaned, the points are marked and confirmed together in the mirror.
3. The piercing is done and the first jewelry is inserted. The first piece has a slightly longer bar to leave room for swelling.
4. Aftercare is explained and you are given a WhatsApp line for your questions.

The piercing itself is quick; most of the time goes into choosing the right points. What you feel varies from person to person; for general information: how much does a piercing hurt?

Aftercare after the second hole

• Clean 1–2 times a day with sterile saline solution and dry with a clean paper towel instead of cotton. Details: how to clean a new piercing.
• Do not twist or move the jewelry; soften crusts with saline and let them fall off on their own.
• Be careful not to catch the new hole when putting in or taking out your existing earrings; wearing small, flat earrings in the old holes during the first weeks makes things easier.
• Try not to sleep on the side with the new hole. Tips: sleeping with a piercing.
• Do not remove the first jewelry for about 6–8 weeks. For when to change earrings: when to change piercing jewelry?

If you would like to decide together how many holes fit your ear and where the points should go, you can visit our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı (İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B) or Ask us on WhatsApp. Our studio is open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sun 11:00–20:00.

FAQ

When can you get a second hole in your ear?

If your first lobe hole has fully healed, the second can be pierced whenever you like. If your first hole is new, waiting about 6–8 weeks keeps the two holes from irritating each other.

How far apart should two lobe holes be?

There is no fixed measurement; the spacing depends on the size of the lobe and the size of the earrings. The aim is for the two pieces of jewelry not to knock together and for the upper hole not to get too close to the cartilage.

Can both ears get a second hole at the same time?

Yes. If your existing holes are healthy, both ears can get a second hole in the same session. If you prefer to sleep on one side only, piercing one ear first and leaving the other for later is also an option.

How much does a second lobe piercing cost?

At Cadde Piercing Studio a lobe piercing with a needle costs 400 TL and with a piercing gun 200 TL; surgical steel jewelry is included in both. If titanium jewelry is chosen for a needle piercing, 350 TL is added to the piercing price, making 750 TL in total.

How long does a second lobe hole take to heal?

Because the lobe is soft tissue, it heals in about 6–8 weeks. This can take longer depending on the person, aftercare and whether the jewelry gets caught.

Can I wear the earring I want in the second hole right away?

The first jewelry is not changed during healing. After about 6–8 weeks, if the hole is not tender, you can switch to the earring you want; thin earrings with smooth ends go in more easily at the first change.

Official and reliable sources

• NHS: Body piercing
• Association of Professional Piercers (APP): Aftercare

Browse jewellery for lobe piercings

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