Look into pricing. Some places like Claire’s will pierce your ears for free, provided you purchase the earrings from them. Piercing studios will often charge for the piercing and the earrings. Placement also affects price. Lobes are usually cheapest at around $20, while a helix orbital piercing can cost up to $80. Generally, prices range between $30 to $50. [2] X Research source
Some snacks that will help keep your blood sugar up include cookies, crackers, and juice.
Piercing guns, while quick and inexpensive, often cause more infections. The guns can be disinfected but not completely sterilized because they are made of plastic and do not hold up under sterilization techniques used for needles and other professional tools. [3] X Research source Although this method is not widely recommended, as it does cause some blunt-force trauma to the ear, it is still common and many people choose it out of convenience.
This method sounds more painful, but many report that it’s actually less painful. The hollow needle method is preferable because it won’t infect as easily or heal over as quickly if you go without earrings for a long period of time.
It’s okay to ask the piercer how much experience they’ve had. At locations like Walmart, the piercer receives very little training and may not have any experience, so it’s better to ask than have something go wrong. Generally, professional piercers should have at least a year of experience before they start working alone. [4] X Research source Checking reviews online is a great way to get a feel for the piercer’s experience and the quality of service.
Make sure the piercer uses disposable gloves and sterile packets for each new needle. This is a crucial safety measure. If they don’t use proper sterilization techniques, you should probably find a different studio. [6] X Research source
The safest earring materials are surgical stainless steel, platinum, titanium, and 14K gold. [8] X Research source If these are over your price point, gold and silver are generally safe options as well. [9] X Research source
For less common piercings, the pain may be higher and the piercing may take a bit longer. Cartilage is harder to push the needle through, so it may take a few moments to complete the piercing.
For lobe piercings, leave your earrings in for at least six weeks. Eight to ten weeks is even better, as the extra time allows your lobes to fully heal. If you pierce any other part of your ear besides the lobe, leave the earrings in for three to five months to ensure they heal safely.
If you find it hard not to touch the earrings, you can place a small band-aid over the piercings.
