Anatomy of the ear for piercing
The outer ear is a complex structure made of elastic cartilage covered by skin, with nine distinct zones that can be pierced. Understanding the anatomy matters because each area has its own healing time, pain level and suitable jewellery. At Funky Tattoo in Piața Romană, Bucharest, an experienced piercer evaluates the anatomy of every ear before perforation.
The lobe is the only portion without cartilage — it's just fatty tissue and thin skin, which is why it heals fastest (6-8 weeks) and is the only area we pierce on children. The helix, on the upper rim of the ear, is the most requested cartilage for hoops and cuffs. The tragus, the small cartilage that borders the ear canal opening, has become extremely popular in recent years for its discretion.
The conch (the central plateau of the ear) allows both inner (toward the canal) and outer (toward the exterior) variations and supports flat labrets or larger captive rings well. The rook, located in the vertical fold above the tragus, is anatomically demanding and requires careful evaluation — not everyone has a fold pronounced enough. The snug, on the central horizontal fold, is even more selective: only about 20% of clients have the right anatomy.
The industrial combines two piercings (usually helix and anti-helix) connected by a single long bar. It's a spectacular choice but requires precise planning of the angle between the two holes — at Funky Tattoo we use a sterile template to mark the correct position before perforation. The flat, the flat area between helix and conch, is ideal for larger decorative jewellery, especially in compositions with multiple piercings.
Regardless of the area chosen, the pre-piercing assessment includes checking vascularity, cartilage thickness and symmetry with the other ear. We always recommend a short consultation in the studio, bd. Magheru 35, before deciding the final configuration — especially for complex projects with 3-5 piercings on the same ear.
Recommended jewellery
The jewellery chosen at the time of piercing directly influences healing time and long-term comfort. At Funky Tattoo we use exclusively implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) for fresh piercings, because it is hypoallergenic, nickel-free and has an extremely smooth surface that minimises irritation. For lobe and helix we usually start with a flat labret with a 2.5-3 mm back disc and a ball or gem on the front.
The captive bead ring (BCR) remains a classic choice for helix and lobe, but has the disadvantage of moving more during sleep, prolonging healing by 2-4 weeks. For tragus and conch we prefer labrets with a flat back disc, because they don't press on the ear canal and allow headphones without discomfort. For industrial we use a long bar (32-38 mm) with balls at both ends, intentionally left long to allow for initial swelling.
Initial jewellery size matters: a labret that's too short will embed the disc into the skin, while one that's too long will catch on clothes and hair. Depending on cartilage thickness, we choose posts between 6 and 10 mm. For conch and rook we sometimes use continuous rings (CBB — circular barbell) for the first 4 weeks, then switch to flat labret once swelling subsides.
After full healing (3-6 months depending on area), clients can switch to 14k or 18k gold jewellery, or to decorative pieces with stones (cubic zirconia, synthetic opal, sapphire). In the first 6 months we avoid 925 silver (can oxidise and irritate) and surgical steel (contains traces of nickel). For orbital piercings or multi-hole projects, we recommend custom-made pieces that respect exact anatomical distances.
All jewellery used at Funky Tattoo is sterile, individually sealed and opened in front of the client. Jewellery price is separate from labour — see the price list for each piercing type. For projects with multiple piercings we offer bundles with a 10-15% discount.
Ear piercing for children
At Funky Tattoo we pierce children's ears between 0 and 16 years of age, but only on the lobe and only with the express consent of the parent or legal guardian, who must be physically present in the studio at the time of the procedure. This policy respects both Romanian law on informed consent and the safety standards of our DSP-authorised studio (authorisation no. 816/26.07.2022).
We use exclusively the needle technique — never the gun. The piercing gun, even cartridge versions, cannot be properly sterilised (plastic components cannot withstand autoclaving) and produces greater tissue trauma through vibro-impact. The sterile single-use needle creates a clean and precise incision, with significantly reduced risk of infection and faster healing. For babies and small children we use 1.2 mm gauge needles with a triangular tip, which pass through the lobe in a single controlled motion.
The procedure takes about 15-20 minutes per child, including the initial consultation, sterile marker placement, symmetry check with the parent and the perforation itself. For children under 3 we recommend morning appointments, when the child is rested. The parent holds the child in their arms during perforation, which significantly reduces the little one's stress.
The jewellery used is small flat-back labrets in implant-grade titanium — not rings, which can catch on clothes or toys. The flat back disc doesn't press on the lobe and allows smooth healing. Healing time in children is often longer than in adults (up to 12 weeks), since the immune system is still developing and children touch the area more often with dirty hands.
Parents receive a written aftercare protocol (in Romanian and English) and a sterile saline solution for cleaning. We recommend follow-up checks at 2 and 6 weeks after piercing, included in the price. For any sign of infection (persistent redness, yellow discharge, pain that doesn't subside after 48 hours), parents should contact us immediately at +40 731 525 808 or consult a paediatrician.