Inner vs. Outer Conch Piercing: What’s the Difference?

Inner and outer conch piercings often get grouped because of their similar names, but they’re two distinct piercings with their own appeal. The inner conch piercing has been around for centuries and is one of the most recognizable cartilage piercings, making it a popular choice for those looking to add a bold statement to their ear. The outer conch piercing, on the other hand, is less common but has been gaining popularity as more people seek unique ways to personalize their ear projects.

In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between an inner and outer conch piercing, discussing placement, jewelry options, and healing expectations.

What’s the Difference Between an Inner and Outer Conch Piercing?

Naming

Most often, when someone is referring to a conch piercing, they’re referring to an inner conch piercing.

An outer conch piercing has many more nicknames, including contraconch, high conch, and sconch (a combination of snug and conch).

Placement

One of the first noticeable differences between an inner and outer conch is the placement.

An inner conch piercing’s placement is in the bowl-shaped area of the ear, above the ear canal. The piercing goes through the deepest part of the cartilage. Exact placement will depend on the type of jewelry you want to wear. If you want to wear a hoop, the placement will be closer to the outer rim of the ear, and the piercing will be positioned so that the hoop lies most naturally. If you’re just doing a stud, it can be placed inward a little bit more, but piercers will look to see that it is placed centered in your ear.

An outer conch piercing goes through the mostly flat ridge of cartilage above the bowl of the ear. This ridge sits above the ear canal and below the helix.

Anatomy Dependency

While an inner conch piercing is anatomy-dependent, it is rare for someone not to have the necessary anatomy for this piercing. Most cases of someone not having suitable anatomy are due to the person having ear pinning surgery.

In contrast, an outer conch piercing is extremely anatomy-dependent. If you have a thicker, harder ridge of cartilage in this spot, it’s best to avoid getting it pierced. However, if you have a thinner, more flexible ridge that’s more of a flat little fold, it’s perfectly okay to pierce through. It’s much less common to have the anatomy suitable for an outer conch piercing.

Jewelry Options

One of the reasons inner conch piercings are so popular is that they can accommodate a variety of jewelry styles. Whether you want a simple stud, a large cluster piece, a hoop, or even a straight barbell, the options are endless. Of course, it’s easier to heal the piercing initially with a stud and then transition to a hoop. However, if you really want to start with a hoop, it can be done. Please note that the hoop will need to be at least a 12-gauge for stability, and it will also need to be oversized to accommodate any swelling that may occur.

While inner conch piercings allow you a ton of versatility with jewelry options, outer conch piercings can really only accommodate studs. Hoops are incredibly uncomfortable to wear in this placement.

Ease of Healing

Inner conch piercings are extremely easy to heal, which is part of what makes them so popular. Because of their placement within the bowl-shaped depression in your ear, they don’t really get caught or snagged. The only thing you need to worry about is avoiding earbuds until the piercing has fully healed.

Outer conch piercings can be more difficult to heal than inner conch piercings. Because of their placement, they can be more challenging to keep clean and prevent catching or snagging from occurring.

Inner vs. Outer Conch Piercing: The Final Word

Inner and outer conch piercings may share part of a name, but they’re two different piercings that each bring something unique to your ear. The inner conch has earned its place as a classic cartilage piercing, while the outer conch is more anatomy-dependent and offers a less common but equally eye-catching option. No matter which one suits your style, Urban Body Jewelry has a piece to match. From safe starter pieces to bold designs, you’ll find options for every type of conch piercing to help bring your look together.