Flat back studs sit flush against the skin, which gives a fresh or healing piercing room to drain and breathe. Butterfly backs press a small disc against the back of the ear, which can trap moisture, irritate swollen skin, and in some cases embed into the lobe during healing. For a new piercing, flat backs are the better choice. For an already healed piercing, either works, though many people stay with flat backs for the comfort alone.
In this article
- How each backing actually works
- Why flat backs heal better
- Where butterfly backs cause problems
- How to insert and close a flat back
- Does it still matter once a piercing is healed?
- FAQ
How each backing actually works
A flat back stud is internally threaded: the threading sits inside the decorative front, not on the post, so the post itself stays completely smooth against your skin. A separate flat disc screws onto the back of the post and sits flush against the ear.
A butterfly back is a spring-loaded clip that pushes onto a smooth post and grips it by friction, the same mechanism used on most mass-market stud earrings. There's no threading involved, which makes it faster to put on, but it also means nothing is actually sitting flat against the skin.
Why flat backs heal better
The Association of Professional Piercers recommends jewelry that doesn't trap discharge or put pressure on healing tissue. A flat back's disc sits flat against the skin with no raised edge, which gives a fresh piercing room to drain naturally and makes it harder for discharge, soap, or product to get trapped against the wound.
Because the backing is screwed on rather than clipped, it also won't shift or press unevenly if the area swells slightly during the first few days, which is common with new piercings.
Where butterfly backs cause problems
In a fresh piercing, normal post-piercing swelling can push a butterfly back's disc into the earlobe within days, a problem piercers refer to as an embedded backing. Because the disc is spring-clipped rather than screwed on, it can also trap debris and bacteria against the skin, which slows healing and increases the chance of irritation. This is the main reason most professional piercers hand out flat backs, not butterfly backs, for new piercings.
$175, internally threaded, 18G.
Shop the piece →How to insert and close a flat back
All Zahav flat backs are internally threaded, meaning the threading is in the decorative top, not the post. Insert the smooth post through your piercing from behind, then gently turn the decorative top clockwise onto the exposed threaded end until snug. Don't overtighten. To remove, hold the post steady and turn the top counter-clockwise.
Does it still matter once a piercing is healed?
Less, but many people keep wearing flat backs anyway, simply because they sit more comfortably and are less likely to snag on clothing, hair, or pillows, especially on cartilage piercings like helix, tragus, and conch, where a raised butterfly back can press against the ear in certain sleeping positions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from a butterfly back to a flat back mid-healing?
Yes, and many piercers recommend it if a butterfly back is causing irritation. Just make sure the new jewelry is the correct gauge and length for your piercing.
Are flat backs harder to put in than butterfly backs?
They take a little more care since you're threading a disc rather than snapping on a clip, but most people find it easy after the first try.
Why does the back of a flat back earring feel slightly raised against my ear?
Some flat back length in the post is normal, especially right after piercing when swelling is still present. If it feels tight or is pressing hard against the skin once healed, it may be worth sizing down to a shorter post length.
Do flat backs work for all piercing types?
They're most common for cartilage piercings like helix, tragus, conch, and rook, as well as healing lobes, where a flush backing matters most.
Shop flat backs built for healing
Internally threaded, solid gold, and designed to sit flush against the skin.
Shop Flat Backs →Backed by a 1-Year Limited Warranty on every piece.