Orbital Piercing Guide

What is an orbital piercing?

An orbital is not a single piercing spot but a combination: two holes are made and one ring passes through both. One end of the ring enters through the first hole and exits through the second, creating the look of a ring wrapping around the edge of the ear. So it is right to think of an orbital as “two piercings + one piece of jewellery”. The gap between the two holes is planned according to the diameter of the ring; if the gap and the ring diameter don’t match, the ring presses on the holes and makes healing harder.

Where on the ear is it done?

• Helix orbital: Done on the upper part of the ear rim, over the fold. It is the most popular option and the one that looks most like a “stack”. For details about a single helix, see our helix piercing guide.
• Lobe orbital: Done on the lobe with two holes one above the other or side by side. With no cartilage, it heals faster. About lobe piercing: lobe piercing guide.
• Conch orbital: A less common option made in the inner bowl of the ear, with the ring wrapping around the ear rim; it depends on your anatomy. See conch piercing guide.

Not every ear is the same. The thickness of the rim fold, the structure of the cartilage and the width of the area for the two holes determine whether an orbital is suitable. This is assessed by examining the ear in person before the procedure.

Is it done in one session or two stages?

There are two ways: both holes can be made in the same session, or one hole can be made first and the second added after it heals. Whichever you choose, the key point is: putting a ring into a fresh hole prolongs healing for most people. The ring turns during the day, catches on hair and pillows, and the two holes pull on each other. That is why the common approach is to fit a separate straight piece (usually a labret) in each hole at first. The ring goes in after the holes have healed and the channels have settled.

Healing time

With a helix or conch orbital, healing is treated like two separate cartilage piercings: mostly 6–12 months, longer for some people. With a lobe orbital, initial healing usually takes 6–8 weeks and full settling a few months. Times vary with the person, aftercare and friction from the jewellery; for the general table, see our piercing healing times page.

Mild swelling, tenderness and clear-yellowish crusting are normal in the first weeks. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth or dark discharge, see a health professional; to tell the difference, see infection or irritation? will guide you.

Jewellery choice: first jewellery and ring

First jewellery: In cartilage, straight jewellery usually 1.2 mm thick and long enough to allow for swelling is used. Once the swelling goes down, shortening the jewellery (downsizing) reduces friction. More about sizes: piercing jewellery size guide.

Switching to a ring: Once healing is complete, a ring that passes through both holes is chosen. The ring’s inner diameter is set by the distance between the holes and the thickness of the ear rim; a ring that is too tight squeezes the tissue, while one that is too wide hangs and catches easily. Clicker or segment rings make insertion and removal easier.

Material: At our studio, standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the piercing price. Titanium jewellery is 350 TL; if you choose titanium, +350 TL is added to the piercing price (example: a single helix piercing 450 TL + 350 TL = 800 TL). For the differences between materials, see our titanium and surgical steel articles.

Aftercare

• Clean once or twice a day with sterile saline solution; don’t twist the jewellery or pick off crusts.
• During healing, try not to sleep on the pierced side; a travel pillow with a hole in the middle helps (sleeping with a piercing).
• Reduce friction from hair, headphones, hats and your phone.
• If a bump forms in the cartilage, don’t panic; it is usually related to friction and pressure: piercing bumps.

Method: needle or gun?

At our studio the gun is used on lobes only. With an orbital, the alignment and angle of the two holes decide whether the ring sits properly, so it is pierced with a sterile, single-use needle. A needle is mandatory for cartilage. Details: piercing gun or needle?

Who is an orbital not suitable for?

In ears with a very thin rim or a very narrow fold, there may not be enough space between two holes to carry a ring. If there has been a bump, a tendency to keloids or a piercing that didn’t heal in the same area, that area is assessed first. For people who use headphones a lot, wear a helmet regularly or can’t stop sleeping on the same side, a helix orbital may be harder to heal; in that case, starting with a lobe orbital or a single helix may be an easier option. If you are planning a stack, our article how to plan an ear stack will give you ideas.

Price and booking

The orbital is not a separate item on our price list; it is assessed based on the placement of the two holes and your ear shape. Individual prices are on the piercing prices page: helix 450 TL, lobe with a needle 400 TL, conch 550 TL. For suitability and planning for an orbital, send us a photo on WhatsApp. For other ear options, see our ear piercing page.

Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.

FAQ

How many months does an orbital piercing take to heal?

A helix or conch orbital mostly takes 6–12 months to heal; for a lobe orbital, initial healing usually takes 6–8 weeks. The time varies with aftercare, friction and your tissue.

Can a ring go into an orbital right away?

Putting a ring into fresh holes can increase irritation because the ring turns and catches. So a separate straight piece usually goes into each hole first, and you switch to the ring once healing is complete.

Does an orbital piercing hurt a lot?

Pain varies from person to person. Because two holes are made, you feel two brief moments rather than one; in cartilage there may be a more noticeable pressure than in the lobe.

What ring size does an orbital need?

The ring’s inner diameter is chosen according to the distance between the holes and the thickness of the ear rim. In cartilage the thickness is usually 1.2 mm; the right diameter is found by measuring the ear.

How much does an orbital piercing cost?

The orbital is not a separate item on our price list; we give information on WhatsApp based on the placement. A single helix piercing is 450 TL; if titanium jewellery is chosen, +350 TL is added to the piercing price.

Is an orbital piercing done with a gun?

No. At our studio the gun is used on lobes only; for an orbital, a sterile, single-use needle is used because the alignment of the holes matters.

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