Orbital piercing

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An orbital piercing is a combination of two ear piercings connected by one piece of jewelry.^[1][2] While usually located in the helix region of the ear, an orbital piercing can be done anywhere on the body including the earlobes.^[3] The piercing uses a hoop, and is not to be confused with an industrial piercing, a conch piercing or double cartilage piercing.

A professional piercer will use a sterilized hollowed gauge needle, a captive bead ring for jewelry, and a pair of pliers.

The piercer will take a marker and mark the placement of the desired piercing. They will then take the hollow gauge needle and insert it through the marked position. With the needle still inserted, ear the piercer will take the captive bead ring and slide in the hollow part of the needle, gently pulling the needle through the rest of the ear with the captive bead still in the needle. Once the jewelry is placed correctly, the piercer will repeat the process, except this time they will not insert a new captive ring. Using the newly made second hole, the piercer will take the bead ring in the first hole and place it through the second hole. They then close the ring until there is very little space left for the bead to fit in the ring. Once the bead is placed and secured in the ring, the piercing is completed.

There are many types of orbital piercings, as an orbital piercing is simply two or more piercing sites connected by a single piece of rounded jewelry, usually a ring. Three of the most common types are:

• Lobe orbital piercing
• Anti helix piercing
• Helix orbital piercing

Some orbital piercings connect three or more piercing sites with a single ring, such as an orbital piercing that connects the daith, rook, and forward helix.

Orbital piercings are generally considered to be difficult to heal. They require a strict care regimen and careful attention. Orbital piercings through cartilage usually take more than one full year to heal fully.

The first and most important step to proper healing is to begin by getting pierced by a qualified, licensed, experienced piercer. They will provide detailed instructions on aftercare, as well as advice and guidance should problems arise.

Current mainstream recommendations for piercing care are as follows.

• Once or twice per day, and especially after bathing, wash your hands, then gently spray each piercing site with a premade sterile saline spray or wound wash.
• Do not use soap, ointments, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, homemade salt water, or any substance other than sterile saline spray unless directed by a medical professional.
• If lymph exudate from the wounds forms crusts that are not dislodged by the saline spray, allow the spray to soften them and use a sterile cotton swab or gauze to gently wipe away the exudate.
• Do not touch, twist, or rotate the jewelry until fully healed. Take great care to avoid bumping or snagging.
• Do not use makeup, hair products, lotions, or fragrances near the fresh piercing.
• Avoid sleeping on the piercing until fully healed. Side sleepers with ear cartilage piercings often find that U-shaped travel neck pillows will allow them to sleep comfortably without placing pressure on the ear.
• Return to your piercer as directed for checkups and guidance.^[4]

If your piercing or the surrounding skin becomes swollen to a concerning degree; starts seeping red, black or green colored fluid; becomes red, hot, and/or shiny; bleeds continuously; or causes any problem with your hearing, seek urgent medical care to be evaluated for infection and treatment. Milder concerns may be assessed by your piercer, but when in doubt, it is advisable to seek medical care.

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