Thought of as the comfiest earrings going, flat back studs have changed the game when it comes to everyday jewelry. 

Curating an ear stack, thinking about a new piercing, or tired of losing butterfly backs? Below, you'll find what flat backs are, threadless vs threaded, the best materials for sensitive ears, sizing, and whether you can really sleep in them.

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What Are Flat Back Stud Earrings?

Flat back stud earrings (you'll also see them called flat back earrings, flat back studs or labret earrings) swap the traditional butterfly back for a flat disc that sits against the skin behind the piercing. The decorative front attaches to a straight post, and the disc keeps everything in place without pinching, poking or pulling.

Instead of the back coming off, it's the front that detaches. You slide the post through your piercing from behind, then screw or push the front into place.

The name "labret" comes from the Latin for lip, lip piercings being where this type of stud started. Flat backs were originally made for piercings that are fiddly to reach, which is why they've become the default for cartilage earrings.

The Benefits of Flat Back Stud Earrings

• Comfort 
  
  The flat disc sits smoothly against the skin, so there's no post end poking your neck and no butterfly clasp pressing into the back of your ear.
  
  
• Secure Fit 
  
  Flat backs either screw in or lock in with tension, which is what makes them such secure stud earrings.
  
  
• Better for Sleeping 
  
  With no pointed post or clasp at the back, flat backs are far less likely to dig in when your head hits the pillow.
  
  
• Suitable for Sensitive Ears 
  
  Flat backs are a popular choice of earrings for sensitive ears, largely because they're widely available in titanium and solid gold (both of which you can find in our in-store Piercing Studios). The smooth, closed design also means fewer nooks for build-up to collect.
  
  
• Everyday Wear  
  
  Small and low-maintenance, these are everyday earrings in the truest sense from the gym to work and repeat.
  
  

What Are the Best Materials for Flat Back Earrings?

• Titanium
  
  Titanium flat back earrings are a favourite with piercers, and for good reason. It's also one of the two stud options at Missoma Piercing Studios, alongside solid gold.
  
  
• Solid gold
  
  Solid gold flat back earrings are a long-lasting option for sensitive ears that won't tarnish.

Can You Sleep in Flat Back Stud Earrings?

Generally, yes, and it's one of the main reasons people choose them. If you've been hunting for comfortable earrings for sleeping, this is about as close as it gets.

Remember, with new or healing piercings, sleeping directly on it can cause irritation or shift the angle, however comfortable the jewelry. A travel pillow (the U-shaped kind, with your ear in the gap) is a surprisingly effective fix. Once you're healed, most people find flat backs comfortable enough to leave in

How to Care for Flat Back Earrings

For healed piercings, a gentle wash with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap does the job. Dry thoroughly, especially around the disc. For healing piercings, follow your piercer's aftercare (usually sterile saline) rather than cleaning the jewelry yourself.

Keep fronts and backs together in a lined pouch or compartment box. The discs are small and very good at disappearing.

Frequently Asked Questions