Getting Ears Pierced

Ear piercing has gone from a trend to a tradition. And with so many parts of the ear available to pierce (think: tragus, helix, the always popular earlobe or all three), it could be just the style accent you need.

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Getting

But before you (or your child) join the land of the pierced, get answers to some of the most common piercing questions from dermatologist Rachel Ward, MD.

Getting Your Ears Pierced

A. If you go to a doctor’s office — whether it’s a pediatrician or dermatologist — they mark where you want the piercing and use an ear piercing gun. The piercing gun has a spring. When the trigger is released, the rapid spring motion pushes the earring through the ear.

Some tattoo and piercing shops use hollow-bore needles instead. Hollow-bore needles are the needles used when starting an IV. As they push through, they create a tiny hole in the earlobe or cartilage. They’re a little gentler than piercing guns because there is no spring action.

A. It depends on the part of the ear and person — everyone is different. You may see a little drop of blood, but there shouldn’t be much. If there is a lot of bleeding, you should seek medical help right away.

The Mejuri Team Breaks Down The Piercing You Should Get Next

A. That also depends on you and your pain threshold. You may feel a pinch and some throbbing after, but it shouldn’t last long. The pain from either piercing method is probably equivalent.

The ear has nerves all through it. But the fatty tissue in the earlobe has less than other areas, so it may feel less painful.

A. Putting an ice cube or ice pack on your ear before the piercing can help. The cold numbs the area and confuses the brain about where the pain’s coming from.

Best Places To Get Ears Pierced

I don’t recommend taking aspirin or ibuprofen beforehand because they tend to thin your blood and could cause more bleeding. But taking an extra-strength acetaminophen an hour before your procedure could help.

If you have a fear of needles or pain, we can certainly give you a numbing cream ahead of time. But in general, most people are fine with just ice.

A. Unless the child has some underlying condition, getting a baby’s ears pierced is fine. This is more of a cultural consideration than a medical one. Some cultures pierce their baby’s ears as early as a couple of months old.

Why Kids Should Get Ears Pierced At Tattoo Shop

If you do decide to get your baby’s ears pierced, the earrings should be flat studs that are close to the earlobe. Babies’ hands are all over the place. You want to make sure they can’t pull them out.

A. Good ear care is important. You’ve created an opening in your skin, so there’s a risk of infection. To prevent it, follow these three tips:

Getting

Clean the area twice daily with mild soap and water. If you take a morning shower, clean it then and again right before bed. You can also use those little rubbing alcohol squares. Avoid using antibiotic ointments unless directed by a doctor — you can develop allergies to them if you use them too long.

Where To Get Your Ears Pierced In Los Angeles 2021

Leave your earrings in for at least six weeks if they’re in your earlobe. Since cartilage doesn’t heal as quickly as earlobe tissue, keep cartilage piercings in longer — at least three to four months. After that, only take earrings out for short periods because the holes can still close fast.

When you do switch earrings, make sure they’re made from hypoallergenic materials so they won’t cause an allergic reaction. Fourteen-carat gold, medical-grade steel and titanium are the best. They should not contain alloys such as nickel (which you often find in costume jewelry) because you can develop a sensitivity.

A. It’s normal to have some redness, swelling or pain for a couple of days after getting your ears pierced. But your ears should look and feel better each day.

Infected Ear Piercing: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

If you find that your ears do great and then suddenly start to become red, inflamed or crusty a week or two later, that’s usually a sign of infection.

If you think you have an infected ear piercing, it’s best to go to someone who can diagnose and treat you. That may not necessarily be the person who pierced you. Seek out your primary care provider, dermatologist or even an urgent care facility.

I've

A. Your physician, pediatrician or dermatologist should know what they’re doing if they offer ear piercing services. But some jewelry and department stores, as well as tattoo or piercing shops, pierce ears, too. If you go to an ear piercing place outside of the medical field, make sure it’s:

Ear Piercing Tips

A. Getting your ears pierced is a low-risk procedure. But speak to a medical professional before getting your ears pierced if you:

Learn what to expect when getting your ears pierced, including how to find a reputable ear piercing place and how to take care of pierced ears.Whether it's your first time or you are a seasoned ear piercer there's still important things to remember every time you go for a piercing. From what piercing is what, will it hurt to the all important aftercare, we've asked jewellers Rubirox for their ultimate tips for getting the ear stack of your dreams. 

So avoid those piercing guns of our childhood, get yourself to a proper piercer and take the hassle out of getting your ears pierced, then come shop the Claire Hill Designs earring collection.  

I Am Still Feeling Nervous About Getting My Ears Pierced! Is There Anything I Can Do?

A: Whether you can commit to the aftercare requirements, it’s not that difficult to stick to, but things like whether you have a holiday coming up should be considered beforehand. This is because things such as sun cream, prolonged sun exposure and sweat can aggravate a new piercing – plus we recommend swimming is avoided for four weeks post piercing so best to wait so you can properly enjoy your holiday!

A: I think lobes will always be the most popular, but a curated ear look is so popular so we do lots of cartilage piercings too!

A

A: This is tricky because everyone is different. However, generally, piercings shouldn’t be too painful. Cartilage is often more painful than a lobe piercing, but the pain doesn’t last long – I would describe it as a hot sensation, your ears feel hot like they’ve been pinched! With proper aftercare, pain shouldn’t be a problem.

When Can I Get My Baby's Ears Pierced?

A: We always recommend you eat beforehand. Painkillers are up to you but always check with a medical professional before taking anything if you are unsure.

A: A traditional spring pressed gun can cause significantly more swelling as it is launched into the ear, this can often lead to inaccuracy and a longer healing period. A needle allows for a cleaner, more precise piercing that causes less damage to the ear, thus a shorter healing time. Therefore, a needle is often preferred. However, needles often evoke fear, meaning the experience may be more distressing. For this reason, some prefer guns. Fortunately, more modern equipment combines the benefits of both methods. The Inverness Piercing System boasts precision and cleanliness for a fast, gentle, almost painless experience. The innovative system safely pierces using a hand-pressed instrument and sterile hypoallergenic piercing earrings which feature a needle-like back. This means that the process has the same precision and safety of a needle, without the daunting look. This is the system we use at Rubirox and our customers all say it makes for a better experience than either a needle or a gun.

A: Yes – cartilage piercings take longer to heal than lobe piercings. This is because the body has to work harder to heal the cartilage than it does to heal the soft-tissue of the lobe. Generally, lobe piercings take 6 weeks to heal, while a cartilage takes 12 weeks. However, this is an average, everybody is different and some may take more or less time. For example, a cartilage piercing can take up to a year to fully heal. It is important that you are aware of this if you are considering a piercing.

The 16 Types Of Ear Piercings: How To Choose Based On Pain And Placement

A: Piercing bumps are harmless and are your bodies way of protecting and trying to heal the wound. It’s a bit like getting a bump after injuring yourself, the body is just working hard to heal itself! Piercing bumps are common but not everyone gets them. They typically go away within a few weeks and can be helped by keeping the earring in, keeping the site clean and dry and following all the aftercare properly. Another type of ‘lump’ that can occur at the site of piercing is called a keloid. A keloid is a build-up of scar tissue that can occur a few months after the piercing, and may continue to grow bigger. Although very uncommon, it is important to get checked out by a doctor if you suspect you have a keloid. In summary, piercing bumps are not a major cause for concern and are a sign of your body’s natural immune response. While there is no way to say whether you will get any lumps at