Conch piercings are divided into two classes: �outer� and �inner.� The inner conch is the area of the ear adjacent to the ear canal, essentially the innermost portion of the piercable ear. The outer conch is the middle portion of the upper ear, comprised essentially of anything below the upper curve of the ear and above the ridge leading to the inner conch and the ear canal. Generally speaking, the tissue of the inner conch is thicker than that of the outer, meaning that the piercing process is going to be much more intensive. Cartilage piercings are among the most painful piercings one can receive (obvious exclusions excepted), so expect an inner conch piercing to sting an extra bit during and for a good while after the piercing itself.

One should also take special care in cleaning conch piercings because their poor visibility (from the view of the piercee) makes it especially easy to do a lackluster job in their maintenance. Cartilage infections are highly unpleasant, much more so than infections in skin piercings, and it is of the utmost importance that one take good care of any cartilage piercing, especially those made through thicker pieces of tissue.

Generally, it is easier to clean any piercing straight out of the shower. The moisture from the steam and hot water tends to soften the skin and the crusted discharge surrounding the piercing, meaning that it is less likely cling to the jewelry as you clear it out. Begin by soaking a sterile cotton ball in a sea salt solution or saline (generally optional) and dabbing or soaking the area for one or two minutes. Then, using a fresh cotton ball and a drop or two of antibacterial soap (unscented, to prevent irritation and allergic reaction), clean the area thoroughly but carefully, rotating your jewelry to clear any remaining solid discharge. Be sure to clean any excess oily buildup from the area, as earwax (though naturally sterile) is a happy medium for bacteria. Be sure to let the soap soak on the piercing for several minutes when you are through, rotating the jewelry occasionally to disperse it throughout the piercing. Now rinse thoroughly, being sure to wash away any extra soap which might irritate or dry out your piercing. When you are finished, dry your piercing with a clean tissue, not a towel. Cloth towels contain billions of bacteria and should never be used on a fresh piercing or other open wound.

Repeat this process twice a day for the first week after your piercing and once a day thereafter until you are sure the piercing is fully healed. If you find that the skin around your piercing becomes excessively dry or irritated after a while, you may find that less rigorous cleaning or a milder soap are preferable. Irritating your piercing by over-cleaning can make healing slow as well, so it�s up to you to find a happy medium. Be sure not to use peroxide or alcohol on your piercing. These chemicals do kill bacteria but they also damage your tissue, slowing the piercing�s healing and effectively leaving it open to further infection. Also be sure to avoid sources of infection, such as dirty linens, clothes, and hair. Clean your piercing and the things that come in contact with it regularly and you are likely to enjoy it for many years to come.