The flat piercing is the ultimate canvas for showcasing exquisite jewellery. Located on the broad, smooth cartilage of the upper ear, this piercing transforms a simple stud into a breathtaking centrepiece, allowing for a level of artistry and personalisation that few other placements can offer. At Pink Tatpier, London’s premier piercing studio, we are not just piercers; we are curators, specialising in the artful placement of flat piercings to create your unique and stunning ear story.
The popularity of the flat piercing comes from its incredible versatility. It can be a single, elegant statement piece or the anchor for a celestial-inspired “constellation” of multiple piercings. The key to a perfect flat piercing lies in the synergy between precise placement and the perfect piece of jewellery.
Explore our ultimate style guide for the flat piercing, get a transparent cost breakdown, discover our luxury jewellery collection, and book your appointment online with London’s ear curation experts.
Flat Ear Piercing
What is a Flat Piercing? The Heart of the Curated Ear
Before diving into styling, it’s important to understand this unique placement.
Defining the Placement
The “flat” is the wide, smooth area of cartilage in the upper part of the ear, situated between the traditional helix ridge and the forward helix (anti-helix). Unlike a helix piercing which goes on the rim, a flat piercing is placed directly on this flat surface.
Why is it So Popular for Curation and Styling?
The secret to the flat piercing’s popularity is simple: space. This broad, flat surface acts like a miniature art gallery on your ear. It is the perfect location to showcase larger, more intricate, or decorative jewellery ends (tops) that simply wouldn’t fit or sit correctly in other piercings. It is the ideal spot to make a true statement, turning your ear into a deliberate work of art.
The Ultimate Style Guide for Your Flat Piercing
This is where the fun begins. The flat piercing is a canvas for your creativity. Here are some of the most popular and sophisticated ways to style it, as perfected by our curation specialists at Pink Tatpier.
Flat Ear Piercing
1. The Statement Stud: The Centrepiece
The most popular approach is to use the flat piercing to showcase a single, stunning, and often larger piece of jewellery. This becomes the undeniable focal point of your entire ear project.
- Popular Choices:
- Gemstone Clusters: Designs featuring multiple gems, such as a trinity (three gems), a marquise fan, or an intricate flower design.
- Intricate Gold Shapes: Beautifully crafted solid gold pieces in the shape of moons, stars, lightning bolts, snakes, or fans.
- Large Bezel-Set Gems: A single, high-quality gemstone in a classic bezel setting for a look of pure elegance.
2. The Constellation Project: Your Personal Galaxy
Why have one star when you can have a whole constellation? A flat piercing is the perfect anchor for a “constellation”—a curated, often asymmetric cluster of two, three, or more piercings arranged to mimic stars in the sky.
- How it Works: We can place multiple small piercings within the flat area or combine a central flat piercing with nearby helix piercings.
- The Art of Placement: Creating a constellation requires a true artist’s eye. Our piercers will work with you to map out a unique arrangement that flows with your specific ear shape, ensuring the final look is balanced and breathtaking.
3. Balancing Your Ear Story: The Supporting Act
A flat piercing can also serve to create balance and harmony within an existing collection of piercings. Our piercers are experts in “ear curation” and can help you place your flat piercing to:
- Create a Triangle: Form a visual triangle with existing lobe or helix piercings for a sense of intentional design.
- Fill Negative Space: Use a flat piercing to beautifully fill an empty space in your ear, tying your whole look together.
- Complement a Centrepiece: If you have a bold daith or conch piercing, a more delicate flat piercing can provide a beautiful, balancing accent.
Flat Ear Piercing
The Flat Piercing Process: Precision & Artistry
- Consultation & Curation Planning: We discuss your aesthetic goals. Will this be a standalone piece or part of a larger project?
- Jewellery Selection: This is a key step. You’ll choose the decorative end you love from our extensive collection of implant-grade jewellery.
- Artistic Marking: Our piercer will carefully mark the placement, ensuring it is perfectly positioned to complement your ear’s anatomy and to allow the chosen jewellery to sit perfectly flat.
- The Piercing Procedure: The piercing is performed swiftly and precisely with a sterile, single-use needle.
- Aftercare Briefing: We provide a comprehensive guide to ensure a smooth healing process.
Flat Piercing Cost, Pain & Healing: Your London Guide (September 2025)
Pain Level
The flat is a cartilage piercing, so you will feel a definite pinch. Most clients rate the pain at a 6-7 out of 10. As it goes through a solid piece of cartilage, it can feel more intense than a piercing on the thinner helix rim, but the pain is very brief.
Healing Time
Patience is essential for any cartilage piercing. A flat piercing will typically take 6 to 9 months, and sometimes up to a year, to heal fully. Its placement on the outer ear makes it susceptible to being snagged by hair or irritated by sleeping.
Flat Ear Piercing
Cost of a Flat Piercing in London
The total cost is the piercing fee plus the cost of your chosen decorative jewellery end.
| Service | Price (GBP) | What’s Included |
| Flat Piercing Service Fee | £40 – £50 | A professional consultation, curation advice, marking, the sterile piercing procedure, and a comprehensive aftercare guide. |
| Initial Jewellery (Stud) | Starts from £20 | An implant-grade titanium flat-back labret post. The price of the decorative end is separate and varies widely based on design and material (from simple titanium balls to intricate solid gold and diamond clusters). |
| Total Starting Price | From £60 – £70 | The service fee + the cost of your chosen jewellery. |
The Best Jewellery for Your Flat Piercing
For Initial Healing: The Flat-Back Labret Stud
For the entire initial healing period, the only appropriate jewellery is a flat-back labret stud. The decorative end you choose is the part you see, but the backing must be a flat disc.
- Why? This style is secure, easy to clean, and the flat back sits flush against the back of your ear, minimising snagging and promoting a stable healing environment. Hoops are not suitable for this anatomy.
For a Healed Piercing: Unleash Your Style
Once fully healed, the possibilities are endless. The flat piercing is designed to showcase beautiful, decorative ends. You can collect and interchange different tops to match your mood or outfit, from stunning gemstone clusters to intricate gold shapes from the world’s best designers.
Materials Matter
We only stock and use the safest, highest-quality, implant-grade materials:
- Implant-Grade Titanium (ASTM F-136)
- 14k & 18k Solid Gold (Nickel-Free)
Professional Aftercare for a Happy Flat Piercing
- DO clean the piercing twice daily with a sterile saline solution.
- BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HAIR AND GLASSES. Snagging is the number one enemy of a healing flat piercing. Keep long hair tied back and be mindful of glasses arms.
- DO NOT sleep directly on the piercing. Use a travel pillow and place your ear in the hole to avoid pressure.
- DO NOT twist, turn, or play with the jewellery.
- DO consider returning for a downsize appointment after 4-6 weeks to have a shorter bar fitted once swelling has subsided.
Flat Ear Piercing
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Piercings
1. Can I get a hoop in my flat piercing?
No. The anatomy of the flat area is not suited to the curvature of a hoop. A hoop will put unnatural pressure on the piercing channel, preventing it from healing and causing irritation. The flat piercing is designed exclusively for stud-style jewellery.
2. How is a flat piercing different from a helix piercing?
A helix piercing is on the outer curled rim of the ear’s cartilage. A flat piercing is on the flat plane of cartilage inside that rim.
3. Can I get multiple flat piercings at once for a constellation?
Yes, it is possible to get two or three at the same time, provided you have the space in your anatomy. However, be aware that healing multiple piercings at once requires extra diligence with your aftercare.
4. What size jewellery should I choose?
Our expert piercers will help you. We will recommend a decorative end that is appropriately sized for your specific ear shape and the available space, ensuring a look that is balanced and beautiful.
Curate Your Masterpiece at London’s Premier Piercing Studio
Your ear is a unique canvas. Let us help you adorn it with a stunning flat piercing that is perfectly placed and beautifully styled.
