Double coinslot ear mod, a clear guide from first consult to healed

Reviewed with input from licensed providers. Educational only, not medical advice.

Your ear is out of real estate, but the look in your head keeps asking for one more ring. A double coinslot can make space, if you are ready for a slower heal. Here is the clear version, what it is, what it costs, how it heals, and what to try instead if the risk feels too high.

Read this first

• A double coinslot removes two slim strips of cartilage, then closes the edges to form two parallel slots that can hold rings.
• Typical planning, 3 to 5 mm slot width with a 2 to 3 mm gap.
• Treat it like a surgical mod, vet the person, the license, and the setting.
• Healing is slow. Plan months, not days. Pressure control and simple care are the big wins.

What is a double coinslot

Picture two tidy, vertical rectangles inside the upper ear. Tissue comes out, edges meet, slots form. Rings sit in those slots instead of a single piercing channel. The parallel layout gives a clean stacked line once healed.

Who this is for, and who should skip it

Good fit, thicker cartilage, patient personality, consistent with aftercare. Helpful if you can keep pressure off one ear for a while.

Better to skip or get a medical consult first if you form keloids, have active skin issues on the ear, have diabetes with slower wound healing, or wear tight over ear headsets every day.

How the procedure is done, step by step

What to expect

1. Consult and mapping. Your provider checks cartilage thickness, sketches slot width and spacing, and plans your future jewelry footprint.
2. Aseptic prep and anesthesia. Local anesthetic is typical in medical settings.
3. Tissue removal. Two narrow strips of cartilage and skin are removed along the marks.
4. Closure. Fine sutures bring the edges together, creating two clean slots.
5. Dressing and follow ups. You leave with a light dressing, written aftercare, and suture removal dates.

Five minute legal check, do this before you book

US readers, laws vary by state.

1. Look up your state body art rules.
2. Confirm who can legally remove cartilage.
3. Ask the studio who performs the procedure. Ask to see the license.
4. Note the provider name and license number in your phone.
5. Minors face extra rules. Bring a parent, ID, and any required documents.
   If any answer is fuzzy, do not book.

Pain, cost, and timeline

Expect sharpness during injections if used, then pressure. Soreness can last days to weeks.

In the United States, plan roughly 300 to 900 USD in a medical setting, more with follow ups.
Suture removal is often 7 to 14 days.
Light stacking is rarely cleared before 8 to 12 weeks, and many wait longer. Your provider sets the call based on how you heal.

Aftercare that actually helps

Keep it boring, clean, and consistent.

• Week 1. Packaged sterile saline once or twice daily. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
• Week 2 and on. Clean only when the ear feels gritty or dusty. Hands off between cleans.
• Sleep off that side. A travel pillow helps you float the ear so you do not roll onto it.
• Keep hair products and heavy hats off the area for at least two weeks.
• No pools, hot tubs, or lake swims for at least two weeks unless your provider says otherwise.
• Skip alcohol and peroxide unless told otherwise.

Want a refresher on the simple routine, see sterile saline aftercare guide, and this quick aftercare snapshot for low drama care.

“Packaged sterile saline and patience beat complicated routines.”, Association of Professional Piercers
“Cartilage heals slower than soft tissue, reduce pressure and give it time.”, ENT clinician

Jewelry ideas and styling

Start minimal when your provider clears you. One slim, high polish ring per slot at first.

Starter specs

• Material, implant grade titanium
• Gauge, 18 g to 16 g
• Inner diameter, often 8 to 10 mm, adjust to your anatomy

If metals bug you, skim hypoallergenic metals, like titanium so you shop smart.

What I tried and what actually worked

I have not had a double coinslot. I did test pressure control tricks during cartilage healing, and they helped a lot.

• Gentle wins. Sticking to sterile saline and keeping hair products away kept things calm.
• Pressure control is everything. I swapped over ear headphones for in ear buds and used a travel pillow at night. Fewer flare ups.
• Slow builds. Adding one ring at a time after full clearance led to fewer setbacks. I once rushed a helix and learned fast that cartilage punishes impatience.

Common mistakes and easy fixes

• Mixing home saline. Salinity drifts and contamination creeps in. Fix, buy packaged sterile saline.
• Loading heavy jewelry too soon. The tissue is not ready. Fix, start light, then add weight once your provider clears you. If you need pacing help, skim this cartilage healing timeline style overview.
• Ignoring pressure points. Headphones, hats, phone cradling, all matter. Fix, plan around pressure using these pressure control during healing tips.

Alternatives to consider

You can get a stacked look without tissue removal.

• Curate a run of standard piercings with smart spacing.
• Try ear climbers for height without extra holes.
• Build ear cuff stacks for a no procedure look that still feels bold. If you choose cuffs or climbers, loop to Jewelry ideas and styling for a slow, clean build.

Safety checklist, quick scan

• I verified licensing and legal scope where I live, and I know who can remove cartilage. See How the procedure is done for context.
• I have a written aftercare plan that matches simple, sterile care.
• I have a pressure plan, sleep position, headphones, and hair routine.
• I know warning signs, heat, streaking, pus, fever, and when to seek medical care.

Mini checklist to take to your consult

1. Who performs the procedure, and what license do they hold.
2. Slot width, spacing, and future jewelry plan.
3. Exact aftercare steps in writing.
4. Suture removal timing and follow up schedule.
5. When jewelry can safely go in, and how much weight to start with.

FAQ