Orbital Piercings Explained
An orbital piercing connects two separate holes with a single ring. This guide covers every placement option, pain levels, healing times, ring sizing and the key things to know before booking.Orbital Piercings Explained
An orbital piercing involves two separate holes connected by a single piece of ring jewellery. The ring passes through both holes creating the appearance of a hoop orbiting around a section of the ear. Unlike an industrial piercing which uses a straight bar through two cartilage holes, the orbital uses a circular ring and the two holes are placed close enough together to allow the ring to sit comfortably without pulling or gapping.
The name comes from the orbital (circular) path the jewellery takes between the two entry points. Orbital piercings can be placed in the lobe, the helix, the flat cartilage or the conch, with each location offering a different aesthetic and healing experience. The lobe orbital is the most accessible option, healing quickly like any lobe piercing. Cartilage orbitals require significantly more time and patience.
Orbital piercings can be created in two ways: both holes pierced in the same session with a ring inserted immediately or both holes pierced with individual flat-back studs first and then connected with a ring once both have fully healed. The second approach is slower but considerably easier to heal as individual studs cause far less movement than a ring during the fragile early weeks.
Types of Orbital Piercing
How Orbital Piercings Heal and Why Ring Size Matters
The fundamental challenge with orbital piercings is that a ring connects two healing wounds. Any movement, pressure or irritation at one hole is immediately transmitted to the other through the ring. This lever effect means orbitals generally take longer and require more careful management than two separate piercings at the same locations would.
Ring diameter is one of the most critical factors in orbital healing. A ring that is too small pulls the two holes toward each other, creating constant inward pressure that causes pain and eventual migration. A ring that is too large flops around and catches on everything, creating irritation bumps at both holes simultaneously. Your piercer measures the exact spacing between the two planned holes and selects the correct inner diameter before piercing. Most orbitals use 8mm to 10mm rings depending on placement and anatomy.
| Placement | Pain | Healing Time | Typical Ring Diameter | Earphone Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lobe orbital | 2/10 | 6–10 weeks | 6–8mm | None |
| Helix orbital | 5/10 | 6–9 months | 8–10mm | Moderate (over-ear headphones fine) |
| Flat orbital | 5/10 | 6–9 months | 8–10mm | Moderate (over-ear headphones fine) |
| Conch orbital | 6/10 | 6–12 months | 10–14mm | High (avoid all in-ear devices) |
What Jewellery Is Used in an Orbital Piercing?
A ring is the defining jewellery of an orbital piercing and the only style that creates the signature orbital effect. The most common options are captive bead rings (CBRs), seamless rings, segment rings and clicker rings. During healing, a seamless ring or a CBR is often recommended as these have no hinged mechanism that can apply localised pressure to the healing channels.
Some piercers prefer to start an orbital with two individual flat-back studs rather than a ring. The studs hold each hole open individually while the fistulas form, then a ring replaces both studs once healing is confirmed. This approach takes longer but produces cleaner healing with significantly fewer complications. If your piercer recommends this staged approach it is worth following their guidance even though waiting several months before achieving the final look is frustrating.
All orbital jewellery should be implant-grade titanium during healing. Once fully healed, solid 14k gold is an excellent long-term option. The ring must be fitted or sized by your piercer: do not purchase replacement rings without confirming the exact inner diameter required for your specific orbital spacing.
For a complete overview of every ear piercing type including lobe, helix and cartilage placements, visit the Ear Piercing Types Explained guide. For all piercing types in one place, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub.
Book your orbital piercing at OSCO London
Orbital piercings at OSCO London are just £10. Precise placement, correct ring sizing and implant-grade titanium as standard.
OSCO London is a professional piercing studio in Northwood, London. Visit the OSCO London homepage to book your orbital piercing and discuss placement, ring sizing and the staged approach with a trained professional.
How to Care for an Orbital Piercing
Orbital piercing aftercare requires cleaning both holes twice daily with sterile saline spray. Because both holes are connected by a ring, cleaning around the entire ring circumference is important: not just the two entry points. Gently spray both holes and allow the saline to run around the ring without handling the jewellery.
The most important aftercare rule for an orbital is to eliminate ring movement. Sleeping on the orbital, pressing the ring with your fingers, snagging it on clothing or hair and wearing headphones that contact the ring all cause simultaneous irritation at both holes. Because a single incident impacts two healing wounds at once, the consequences of poor orbital aftercare are more severe than for single piercings.
Do not change the ring yourself during healing. The ring passes through two separate channels simultaneously and reinserting it without professional assistance risks missing one of the holes and tearing the fistula wall. When the orbital is fully healed and you want to change the ring, book an appointment with your piercer for the first swap. They can confirm both channels are intact and assist with insertion safely.
For information on every other ear and body piercing type, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub at OSCO London, covering all placement categories from lobes and cartilage to body and specialist piercings.