Piercing guide › Ear piercings › Orbital
An orbital consists of two separate holes that are later connected by a single ring. It can sit in the earlobe or in cartilage, usually on the helix rim.
I pierce two separate holes at the right distance from each other. The distance depends on the ring you want to wear later.
The ring is not the initial jewellery. First I use two straight studs made of Bioplast or titanium to ASTM F136. We only put the ring in once both holes have healed: in the earlobe from week eight at the earliest, in cartilage at the earliest after six months.
Pain and healing depend on the spot: in the earlobe as for the earlobe, on the rim as for the helix, in each case for two holes.
I don't place a freshly pierced orbital with a ring. Two fresh channels working against each other via a ring heal badly.
Cartilage has hardly any blood supply. That's why every cartilage piercing heals much more slowly than the earlobe, even if it looks calm from the outside earlier.
How to care for the piercing in each phase is explained in detail on the Care and aftercare page. The short version: sterile saline solution, don't twist, don't fiddle with it, be patient.
When to see a doctor immediately
An inflammation of the cartilage is serious and can permanently deform the ear. Don't wait.
Pain and healing time are guide values, averaged from information given by piercing and tattoo studios. Where the figures come from. Everyone feels and heals differently.
Want an orbital or have a question about it?
Message on WhatsApp
