Are you thinking about getting your ears pierced? Ear piercing has been a common body modification for many years now, and millions of people sport one or more holes in their ears to add jewellery to.
Opting for ear piercing as an adult grants you a significant level of control over the entire process. You have the freedom to choose the method, the type of earring, and even take charge of the healing and aftercare. This empowerment can truly enhance the experience, making it more rewarding and personal.
If you’re about to get your very first piercing for yourself or even for your child, these tips can help you ensure everything goes to plan and you know exactly what you’re getting yourself in for.
Research Providers
Before you embark on your piercing journey, take a moment to thoroughly research all the places that offer ear piercings in your local area. Visit the premises, look for reviews, and seek recommendations from family and friends. The more you know about the providers and the quality of their work, the more confident and informed your decision will be.
While doing your research, ask what type of ear-piercing equipment they use. Some places use a spring-loaded gun to pierce ears, others use a needle, and more modern tools combine aspects of both approaches for a cleaner, less painful piercing that is more accurate than a gun and less scary than a needle. Then, you can decide which option you prefer for your piercing.
What Do You Want Pierced?
When it comes to ear piercing, the options are vast. While many start with a simple earlobe piercing, you can also consider piercing the cartilage, daith, tragus, and more. Understanding these options can help you make a choice that reflects your personal style and preferences.
You can opt for one ear lobe piercing or get multiple ear lobe piercings or piercings in other parts of the ear at the same time. However, getting more than four at any one time is not recommended due to the stress on the ear from multiple modifications.
Type Of Jewelry
When you get your piercing, you need to keep the original earring in place for around 6 weeks (12 weeks for cartilage piercings) to allow the piercing to heal and for the hole to take shape around the piece of jewellery you choose. You can choose stud earrings in various metals; however, stainless steel is the most popular due to its hypoallergenic properties. You can get titanium, gold and silver earrings, but avoid plated ones until everything is healed for optimal recovery.
Can You Commit To Aftercare?
The aftercare is just as important as how and who pierces your ears. There are many risks associated with not caring for your ear piercing, the most obvious one being infection, which can be deadly if it enters the bloodstream.
You need to clean your piercings three times daily with a specific cleaning solution. Make sure you wash your hands and keep your new piercing covered if you are coming into contact with anything that can contaminate the area. You also need to rotate the earrings one full rotation at least three times daily for the initial six weeks. In the first 6 months post-piercing, you should avoid going without earrings for more than 24 hours to avoid the holes starting to close over.
Remember, maintaining proper hygiene and adhering to aftercare standards is crucial. This responsibility can help you avoid infection and ensure that your piercing heals as it should. Always wash your hands and clean your earrings when changing them to prevent any complications. Your commitment to this process is key to a successful piercing experience.
It Might Hurt
There are varying opinions on how much it might hurt when your ears are pierced, so it’s essential to be prepared for the pain. You might feel better taking paracetamol or ibuprofen prior to your appointment to help manage the pain, but what hurts for one person might not be more than a scratch for someone else, so it is always worth taking anecdotal stories about pain with a pinch of salt. However, you should expect some pain, even just slightly, as you get the actual piercing put in place. Cartilage piercings will tend to hurt more than lobe piercings if you choose this option.
Getting your ears pierced can help you add character to your body and express yourself. Knowing what to expect and how to choose the suitable piercing options will ensure that your new body jewellery looks good now and for many years to come.