A Comprehensive Guide To Ear Piercing And Aftercare

Just finished an ear piercing? Or maybe you're getting ready to take your kids to get their ears pierced? Whether it's to wear the latest styles of current jewelry or to follow tradition, you probably have some concerns and questions about ear piercing. This article will address a range of questions you may have before getting your ears pierced and the various care issues you may have afterward.

Does it hurt to have my ears pierced?

This is a question that many newbies ask, and there is no doubt that putting a hole in your body with a sharp object is bound to be accompanied by pain, and ear piercing is no exception. But this pain is well within the realm of tolerance. And if you are pierced by an experienced piercer, his skill can go a long way in easing your pain. Depending on your personal pain tolerance, you may also request an anesthetic cream to reduce the pain.

Piercing needle or piercing gun?

More than 80% of Americans have pierced ears, and 70% of those people use improper piercing methods. Piercing needles and piercing guns are two completely different methods of piercing, and there is no doubt that piercing needles are better.

Unprofessional piercing gun users

There are many problems with piercing guns. Most mall attendants who use piercing guns are not professional, they may have spent less than an hour learning how to use a piercing gun and then rushed into the job, I understand that they are motivated by the cost of hiring. Keep in mind that a professional piercer needs to go through an apprenticeship before they can start working, and they are naturally paid more.

Puncture guns are unsanitary

Basically all piercing guns are not disposable and cannot be sterilized. When it pierces a large number of clients you have no idea how dirty it is, greatly increasing the risk of getting infected. And piercers don't pierce clients with dirty tools they use sterilized piercing needles.

More precise puncture needles

If you need more than one ear piercing, choose a professional piercer, not just any jewelry store that pierces with a piercing gun. In most cases, ear piercings from piercing guns do not line up evenly. As I mentioned before, a professional piercer has a very precise grasp of where to place the piercings, whereas the piercing gun itself is less precise, and you can't watch exactly where the piercings land while using it.

How much do ear piercing services cost?

The price of ear piercing is affected by various factors. Typically piercing studios in upscale neighborhoods charge more. Also the type of piercing you have is a key factor in determining the cost, typically simple earlobe piercings are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $20-$50. While more complex cartilage and earlobe piercings are more expensive. Different piercing methods also vary in price, with needle piercings being more than twice as expensive as piercing guns. In most cases, ear piercing services won't cost more than $100.

Where on the ear can I get a piercing?

There are so many areas of the ear that can be pierced that it is important to understand each type of piercing before deciding on the piercing you want.

Perforated earlobe

Most people's first ear piercing is in the earlobe, and its benefits over other types of ear piercing are obvious. It's easier and quicker to perform, less painful, quicker recovery period, versatile and simple to maintain.

Auricular perforation

An auricular piercing is also called a cartilage piercing, which means that it is pierced anywhere in the area above the outer ear. This type of piercing is more painful and has a longer recovery period, usually 3-6 months, compared to an earlobe piercing because it penetrates the cartilage.

Daith Piercing

Ear nails are located directly above the ear canal and are also part of the cartilage. This location of piercing is the main location for adding style and cool accessories. Again it is equal parts pain and beauty and is considered moderate to high on the pain scale with a recovery period of 3-9 months.

Perforated ear screen

An ear screen piercing is likewise a type of cartilage piercing and is located in the protrusion in front of the outer ear canal, which is made up of mostly cartilage and skin. An ear screen piercing looks very edgy and stylish and is suitable for a variety of accessories, plus it is one of the few cartilage piercings that is less painful. It heals in three months and the recovery period is within nine months.

Conch piercing

A conch piercing can offer you a variety of styling options and it is located in the middle of the cartilage. Usually the piercer will suggest whether you should choose an inner or outer ear nail piercing based on the shape of your ear. Inner ear nails are suitable for studs, while outer ear nails are suitable for hoop jewelry.

Ear Piercing Aftercare

How do I take care of my ear piercing while it is healing? The most important task after a freshly pierced ear is post-piercing care; any body piercing is essentially an injury, and all of our care efforts are designed to keep the new ear piercing from becoming blocked or infected.

Keep the ear piercing area clean

With your newly pierced ears you should keep the area clean. Hey friend, I understand that you love your new ear piercing, but you can't touch it with your hands too often. Your hands will add potentially harmful bacteria to the area that could lead to inflammation and pus. The right thing to do is to wash your hands first with antibacterial soap when touching the area with your hands, plus every day you should carefully wipe the area around with a wet wipe dipped in some soapy solution and then wash it with warm water. The wound should also be kept dry to speed up healing, and the area should be dried with a hair dryer after each cleaning.

Use some antibacterial solution

In addition to daily cleansing, some antibacterial solutions can be used appropriately. For example, use a cotton swab dipped in some topical alcohol to wipe around the wound. It is important to note that while alcohol is effective in reducing the risk of wound inflammation, its irritating effects may delay healing. We also have alternatives to the use of saline or post-puncture products containing benzalkonium chloride, which can provide you with antimicrobial protection.

Management of puncture wound inflammation

How can I tell if a wound is inflamed? If the wound appears red, swollen, itchy, accompanied by pus and additional pain, then you can determine that the wound is inflamed. If the earlobe is only slightly inflamed, you can buy erythromycin antibacterial ointment at the pharmacy and apply it to the wound. Be careful not to remove your studs or earrings or your ear piercing will become blocked. Inflammation involving a cartilage piercing should be treated in a clinic for medical advice and not on your own, just to be on the safe side.

How can I tell if a piercing has healed?

There are usually 4 indicators below to determine that a piercing has healed:

• No more scabs.
• No more redness.
• No more pain.
• Ability to move your pegs or rings

After your piercing has healed you can start changing your ear jewelry as often as you like. Although it has healed you should generally stick to nickel-free jewelry, and in the realm of body jewelry, nickel-free means hypoallergenic. You can wear jewelry made of 316 stainless steel, titanium, or 14k gold.

Conclusion

Ear piercing is one of the most common types of body piercing. A correctly positioned ear piercing can add all kinds of possibilities to your fashion ensemble. Of course there are some considerations before and after the ear piercing process that should not be overlooked. For example, if you are on a budget, choose a professional needle piercing instead of a piercing gun, make it clear which part of the ear you want to pierce before you get your ear pierced, and follow the care guidelines to minimize the risk of infection after the piercing.