Ear piercing has been popular in Western style societies for many years now.

At first it would be done by someone in the family using a hot darning needle and a cork from a bottle at the back of the ear.

But nowadays some people do the job professionally using a special ‘gun’ (for earpiercing) that shoots the stud through the ear in one swift hit!

For piercings in other places, catheter needles should be used. This is a needle with a thin tube which can be placed under the skin and the stud or bar is inserted through the tube.

Common locations for piercings, other than the Earlobe Piercing , include; Helix or Cartilage Ear Piercing, Industrial Ear Piercing, Rook Ear Piercing, Daith Ear Piercing, Tragus Ear Piercing, Anti-Helix Ear Piercing or Snug Ear Piercing, Conch Ear Piercing, Anti-Tragus Ear Piercing, Auricle Ear Piercing and Orbital Ear Piercing.

The simple term “ear piercing” usually refers to an earlobe piercing, whereas piercings in the upper part of the external ear are often referred to as “cartilage piercings.” Cartilage piercings are more complex to perform than earlobe piercings and take longer to heal.

Earring components may be made of any number of materials, including metal, plastic, glass, precious stones, and beads. Designs range from small loops and studs to large plates and dangling items. The size is ultimately limited by the physical capacity of the earlobe to hold the earring without tearing. However, heavy earrings worn over extended periods of time may lead to stretching of the earlobe and the piercing.

Here you can find some PICTURES OF EAR PIERCING.

Ear Lobe Piercing
The lobe is the soft fleshy part of the lower ear and consists of skin-covered connective fatty tissue.

Pinna, Helix or Cartilage Ear Piercing
This is probably, along with the Auricle, the most common piercing after the lobe. The pinna is located along the uppermost flat outer face of the ear. Care should be taken that the location of the jewellery is not too close to the outer edge of the ear, otherwise migration and rejection can occur. Provided that the ear cartilage is flat, it can be pierced safely using a specialist ear cartilage gun. A Helix Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Industrial or Scaffold Ear Piercing
Two separate ear rim piercings are designed to fit a single long barbell. Initially they are treated as two separate piercings and when healed, the longer scaffold barbell is then fitted. This area can be multiple pierced to great effect, with two or more bars fitted parallel with each other. They can also be designed to sit diagonally forming a cross, as well as being placed vertically from the pinna at the top to the lobe at the bottom. This is a variation on weaving and should only be carried out using a needle. An Industrial Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Rook Ear Piercing
The flat part of the ear cartilage located in the middle of the ear lobe and the pinna. Along with the pinna, this is probably the most popular ear piercing after the ear lobe. Care should be taken not to place the piercing too close to the outer edge of the ear, where it might migrate or be pulled out if snagged on clothing. Only the flat part of the ear can be pierced safely using a specialist ear cartilage gun. An Rook Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Daith Ear Piercing
An inner ear piercing located in the crux of the helix, which is in the skin-covered cartilage fold just above the opening to the ear canal, and directly below the Rook Piercing. It is important that your piercer is happy that a sufficient amount of cartilage is available to protect the piercing from migrating, or being accidentally pulled out through the skin. This is a needle only piercing. A Daith Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Tragus Ear Piercing
The firm flap of skin-covered cartilage located at the front entrance to the ear canal, above the point where the upper and lower jaw bones meet. Only a needle piercing should be used to perform this piercing. A Tragus Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Snug Ear Piercing
The piercing travels through the ridge of cartilage that forms the inner shell of the ear, not the outer ear rim. A Snug Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Conch Ear Piercing
Placed in the shell of the inner ear, a little above the lobe. When selecting a location for this piercing it is important to consider where and how the jewellery will sit at the back of the ear. If it is placed inappropriately it can cause discomfort, particularly during sleep. Only a needle should be used for this piercing. A Conch Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Anti-Tragus Ear Piercing
A needle only piercing located on the outer rim of the ear, opposite the Tragus and just above the lobe. In some cases it is too small to be pierced. An Anti-Tragus Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Orbital Ear Piercing
Similar to the Scaffold Piercing but, in this case, the piercing holes are much closer together. This is usually done on the flat part of the upper ear and rim. An Orbital Piercing takes about 8 - 16 weeks to heal completely.

Auricle Ear Piercing
The flat part of the ear cartilage located in the middle of the ear lobe and the Pinna. Care should be taken not to place the piercing too close to the outer edge of the ear, where it might migrate or be pulled out if snagged on clothing. Only the flat part of the ear can be pierced safely using a specialist ear cartilage gun. An Auricle Piercing takes about 2 - 3 weeks to heal completely.