The Most Popular Ear Piercing, Ranked

Choose the ear piercing you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 24, 2024 07:05
In the diverse world of fashion and personal expression, ear piercings have carved out a special niche. They can be as subtle or as bold as the wearer desires, often serving as a form of self-expression or a way to enhance one's aesthetic appeal. With numerous styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which type of piercing to get. That's why a live ranking system based on popular votes proves so beneficial. It allows individuals to see which styles resonate most with the public, aiding in their decision-making process. By participating in the voting, users not only contribute their preferences but also help shape trends and inspire others in their choices.

What Is the Most Popular Ear Piercing?

  1. 1
    66
    votes
    This is the most popular type of ear piercing because it is the least painful and easiest to heal. It is also the most traditional and culturally accepted form of ear piercing.
    Earlobe piercing is a type of ear piercing where a hole is created in the fleshy bottom part of the earlobe. It is one of the most popular and common types of ear piercings, widely accepted across cultures and ages.
    • Location: Earlobe
    • Procedure: A small gauge needle is used to create a hole in the fleshy lobe of the ear.
    • Healing Time: 4-6 weeks
    • Pain Level: Low to moderate
    • Popular Jewelry: Studs, hoops, dangles
  2. 2
    38
    votes
    Helix piercing
    Nicor · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This is a piercing of the upper ear cartilage and is becoming more popular due to its unique and fashionable look. It is also less painful than other cartilage piercings.
    Helix piercing is a popular type of ear piercing that is done on the upper cartilage of the ear. It involves making a hole in the helix area, which is the outer rim of the ear. Helix piercings can be adorned with various types of jewelry, including studs, rings, or hoops.
    • Piercing location: Upper cartilage of the ear.
    • Healing time: 6-12 months.
    • Piercing pain level: Moderate.
    • Jewelry options: Studs, rings, hoops.
    • Placement options: Single or multiple helix piercings.
  3. 3
    25
    votes
    This is a piercing of the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal. It is popular because it is unique and can be decorated with a variety of jewelry styles.
    Tragus piercing is a type of ear piercing where the tragus, the small pointed cartilage flap located just in front of the ear canal, is pierced. This piercing has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its unique and stylish appearance.
    • Location: The tragus, a small pointed cartilage flap in front of the ear canal
    • Jewelry: Typically a small stud or barbell, often made of titanium or surgical steel
    • Healing time: 6-8 months, but can vary depending on individual healing process
    • Pain level: Moderate, as the tragus has a more dense cartilage compared to other ear piercings
    • Suitable for: People with enough tragus cartilage and a desire for a unique and trendy piercing
  4. 4
    14
    votes
    Conch piercing
    Nicor · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This is a piercing of the inner cartilage of the ear and is becoming more popular due to its versatility and unique look. It can be pierced in different areas and decorated with a variety of jewelry.
    The conch piercing is a type of ear piercing that involves perforating the concha, the cartilaginous shell-like area in the middle of the outer ear. This piercing can be done on either the inner or outer conch, depending on personal preference and anatomy.
    • Placement: Concha (cartilage in the middle of the ear)
    • Healing time: 6-12 months
    • Jewelry options: Flat back studs, captive bead rings, barbells
    • Pain level: Moderate
    • Procedure: Needle piercing
  5. 5
    11
    votes
    This is a piercing of the cartilage ridge above the tragus and is gaining popularity due to its unique and edgy appearance. It is also less painful than other cartilage piercings.
    The Rook piercing is a type of ear piercing that is located on the antihelix of the ear. It is named after the anatomical structure in which it is placed. The Rook piercing has gained popularity for its unique and stylish appearance.
    • Placement: Located on the antihelix of the ear
    • Jewelry Type: Usually a curved barbell or a captive bead ring
    • Healing Time: Approximately 6-9 months
    • Pain Level: Moderate
    • Suitable Ear Anatomy: Requires a well-developed antihelix
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Industrial piercing
    Angeline Belmann · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This is a piercing that connects two or more piercings with a single barbell. It is popular for its unique and edgy appearance.
    The Industrial piercing is a type of ear piercing that involves the placement of two separate piercings connected with a single barbell, creating a visually striking and unique look. The first piercing is usually placed in the upper cartilage of the ear, towards the head, while the second piercing is in the cartilage towards the outer edge of the ear. The barbell passes through both piercings, allowing them to be connected.
    • Healing Time: 6-12 months
    • Pain Level: Moderate to high
    • Jewelry Type: Barbell or straight bar
    • Gauge Size: 14-16 gauge
    • Piercing Placement: Upper cartilage of the ear
    Industrial piercing in other rankings
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    This is a piercing of the innermost cartilage fold of the ear and is becoming more popular due to its alleged therapeutic benefits for migraines. It is also a unique and fashionable piercing.
    The Daith piercing is a type of ear piercing that passes through the innermost fold of the cartilage of the ear, just above the ear canal. It has gained popularity for its unique placement and aesthetic appeal.
    • Placement: Through the innermost fold of cartilage above the ear canal
    • Difficulty to heal: Considered one of the most difficult piercings to heal
    • Jewelry: Usually a small curved barbell or captive bead ring is used
    • Pain level: Varies from person to person, but generally considered to be moderately painful
    • Healing time: Around 6 to 12 months, but can take longer in some cases
    Daith piercing in other rankings
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    This is a piercing of the cartilage ridge between the helix and the ear canal. It is gaining popularity due to its unique and fashionable appearance.
    The snug piercing is a type of cartilage piercing located in the inner ridge of the ear, above the anti-helix and below the rook. It passes through the dense cartilage fold, creating a visually striking look.
    • Location: Inner ridge of the ear
    • Placement: Above the anti-helix, below the rook
    • Jewelry: Barbells, curved barbells, captive bead rings
    • Healing time: 6 to 8 months or longer
    • Pain level: Moderate to high
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    This is a piercing that circles the earlobe or cartilage with a hoop or barbell. It is popular for its unique and eye-catching appearance.
    The orbital piercing is a unique and eye-catching type of ear piercing that involves two piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry, creating a ring-like effect. The jewelry typically orbits around the upper ear cartilage, hence the name orbital piercing.
    • Jewelry Type: Typically a curved barbell or captive bead ring.
    • Placement: Upper ear cartilage, with two piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry.
    • Healing Time: 6 to 12 months, depending on individual healing capacity.
    • Pain Level: Moderate. Typically more painful than standard lobe piercings.
    • Suitable Jewelry Materials: Surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium, or solid gold.
  10. 10
    10
    votes
    This is a piercing that goes horizontally through the earlobe instead of vertically. It is gaining popularity for its unique and edgy appearance.
    The transverse lobe piercing is a unique ear piercing that horizontally traverses through the earlobe. It involves piercing the earlobe from one side to the other, creating an eye-catching and distinct look.
    • Placement: Horizontally through the earlobe
    • Jewelry: Curved barbell or transverse lobe-specific jewelry
    • Healing Time: 6-12 months
    • Pain Level: Moderate
    • Suitable For: Those with larger and thicker earlobes

Missing your favorite ear piercing?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular ear piercing

  1. Location of the piercing
    Consider the different locations on the ear where piercings are commonly done, such as the lobe, helix, tragus, daith, rook, conch, or industrial.
  2. Pain level
    Some people might be more interested in certain types of piercings depending on the perceived pain level. Piercings in the cartilage area, for example, are generally considered more painful than those in the earlobe.
  3. Healing time
    Different piercings may require different lengths of time to heal properly. Cartilage piercings, for example, typically take longer to heal than earlobe piercings.
  4. Customizability
    Certain piercings may allow for more unique and diverse earring styles and combinations. This may make them more popular for those who seek variety and self-expression through their body jewelry.
  5. Professional acceptance
    Consider whether the piercing is widely accepted in professional settings or if it might be considered too unconventional for certain work environments.
  6. Cost
    The cost of the piercing, including the service fees and the jewelry, may also affect its popularity among customers.
  7. Maintenance
    Some piercings may require more care or be more prone to infection, which might deter some people from getting them.
  8. Celebrities or influencers
    Recognize the influence of celebrities or popular figures who have certain ear piercings. Their choices might contribute to the overall popularity of certain types of piercings.
  9. Cultural significance
    Consider the cultural significance or meaning attached to certain piercings in specific cultural contexts. This can influence the popularity of a specific piercing in a given community.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ear piercing. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ear piercing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1265 views
  • 196 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ear piercing once every 24 hours. The rank of each ear piercing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ear piercing

Ear piercing has been a popular form of body modification for centuries. It is believed that the practice dates back to ancient times, where it was used as a symbol of wealth, status, and even religious affiliation. Today, ear piercing is a mainstream fashion trend that has become a staple for many individuals looking to express themselves through their personal style. From classic lobe piercings to more unconventional locations like the tragus or helix, there are a plethora of options available to suit every taste. But what is the most popular ear piercing? Let's take a closer look at the different types of ear piercings and which ones are currently trending among fashion-conscious individuals.

Share this article