Ear Piercing Pain Levels: The Ultimate Guide

As professional body piercers, we’re often asked, “How much is this going to hurt?” You know the quick pinch of pain is worth the joy you’ll get from a new piercing, but that may not ease your tension before the appointment. One of the best ways to prepare for your piercing appointment is to understand different piercings and their potential pain levels so you can manage your expectations. While pain is subjective, we've created this guide to give you a rough estimate of the most popular types of ear piercings and where they fall on a 1 to 10 pain scale.

Lobe Piercings

Pain Level: 1-3 out of 10 (Low)

From traditional, single piercings to a collection of multiple studs, lobe piercings are timeless, classic, and offer endless possibilities for piercing jewelry. One of the reasons behind their popularity with people of all ages? Lobes are made up of soft, fleshy tissue with very few nerve endings, so they are relatively painless compared to other piercings. The most often felt sensation is a quick, sharp pinch or snap, followed by pressure. Looking to expand your ear piercing collection but have a low pain threshold? Consider stacking lobe piercings for a unique style with minor pain.

Helix Piercings

Pain Level: 4-5 out of 10 (Low)

  Any piercing that goes through dense cartilage will be more painful than softer-tissue areas. This is why helix piercings, which are placed around the upper cartilage fold of your ear, have a slightly higher pain level than lobe piercings. These piercings often feel like a quick, intense pressure or pinch. You may also hear a popping sound, which is normal. You'll want to prevent pain after you get your piercing, too; helix piercings are notorious for snagging on hair, glasses, or clothing during the healing process. It's important to do your best to minimize irritants and friction in the area as the piercing heals.

Tragus Piercings

Pain Level: 4-6 out of 10 (Moderate)

This piercing is delicately placed on the little flap of cartilage that covers your ear canal. This cartilage flap doesn't have a lot of nerve endings, resulting in decreased pain levels compared to other cartilage-dense piercings. The sensation is often described as a quick point of pressure. You may also hear a muffled “crunch” sound.

Daith Piercings

Pain Level: 5-7 out of 10 (Moderate)

Located between the ridge-like part of your ear that sits just above your ear canal, Daith piercings are centered on an acupoint associated with muscle relaxation. It's one of a few piercings rumored to have health benefits for reducing or eliminating migraine symptoms. Regardless of whether this piercing will help lessen migraine symptoms, it looks great. The sensation of getting this piercing may feel like a dull, intense, momentary pain.

Conch Piercings

Pain Level: 6-8 out of 10 (High)

Conch piercings are located in the central cartilage of your outer ear, surrounding the ear canal (called the concha). This area is made up of thick cartilage, so the pain level is more intense than with other types of ear piercings. Piercings in this area feel like a sharp, intense pinch and then pressure. There are several types of conch piercings, each with similar pain levels; however, inner conch piercings are placed in the dense cartilage just outside the ear canal, which may increase initial pain levels.

Tips for a Low-Pain Piercing Experience

There are a few things you can do to ensure you experience as little pain as possible during your piercing appointment:

Stay Healthy

First, eat a solid, healthy meal before and get a good night’s rest. Bring water and stay hydrated, which will prevent lightheadedness. Consider relaxing breathing techniques to calm your nerves during the procedure.

Make an Aftercare Routine

Follow your body artist’s aftercare instructions to ensure your piercing heals quickly and properly. Wash the area with a light saline solution twice a day until it’s fully healed. Also, resist the urge to touch, twist, or play with your piercing, as this could lead to an infection.

Pick the Right Studio

The best way to get a quick, non-painful piercing experience is to go to a professional piercing studio that utilizes needle piercings. Needle piercings are less painful (and more sanitary) than mall retail locations that use piercing guns (we go into detail about this here).

Fine Ink Studios: Professional Ear Piercing Studios in Orlando

Pain is subjective, so how much a piercing may hurt depends on the exact placement and your personal pain tolerance. No one can tell you for sure how much a piercing will hurt. However, you can manage your expectations and prepare to make the experience go as smoothly as possible. At Fine Ink Studios, we’re dedicated to providing professional, safe, and hygienic piercing experiences. We do everything possible to ensure your piercing experience is safe, hygienic, and comfortable. You'll be admiring your new piercing in no time! Book your Orlando ear piercing appointment today!