I've never had my ears pierced, my mom wanted to wait until I was responsible enough to take care of them myself, and by then I was terrified of needles and pain. I'm more or less over that now and am starting to think about it. What do I need to do, how often do I clean them, how long do I leave in studs, are there any negatives or benefits i'm not thinking about. How long can I go without earrings before they start to grow in. Please no terrible horror stories about how your ears fell off when you had them pierced or something like that.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Don't do it.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
you're a boy!
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Most piercing places will give you info on this, but just in case:
- You need to clean them at least twice daily for the first six weeks, especially after swimming, working out, showering, etc.
- Make sure you rotate them once or twice daily to prevent the skin from healing to the metal.
- The studs have to stay in anywhere from 6-8 weeks, depending on how your body heals. If you don't mind a bit of pain, you can actually change them out after a week if you're very quick about it. The important thing is to have SOMETHING in there at all times (although I'd recommend avoiding things like corn chips, DVDs, etc.)
- Negatives: if you wear hoops, they get caught on stuff. Ouchie.
- Positives: gotta love accessorizing.
- You can go without your earrings for very short periods of time after 2-3 months, but this again varies widely depending on how you heal. It takes anywhere from 6-12 months for you to be able to take the earrings out for weeks at a time without worrying about them closing. Some people are NEVER able to take them out for weeks at a time without the holes closing.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
This looks about like what I remember. Obviously, you're no infant. But as I recall, the aftercare when I got mine pierced at 13 and when my girls got theirs done was the same.
I recommend going somewhere like Claire's. I have watched them do piercings in branches in three different states, and been extremely impressed with how well-trained and professional they are.
And it really doesn't hurt much at all. Like a brief, sharp pinch.
Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
I second what erosomniac said.
I personally really like having peirced ears. It really helps when getting fixed up for special events. It can look very classy IMO.
I am glad that I never got the second hole in each ear. I really wanted to when I was about 11 or so, but my parents wouldn't let me. I think I would regret it if I had it.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote: It takes anywhere from 6-12 months for you to be able to take the earrings out for weeks at a time without worrying about them closing. Some people are NEVER able to take them out for weeks at a time without the holes closing.
And some of us, and by that, I mean me, can leave earrings out for years at a time and not have them grow over. But yeah, don't count on that.
No horror stories here. I've never had a problem, ever, and I had my first pair done at 8, next hole at 13, and next at 15, and I never followed the instructions with any of mine. But don't follow my example. Posted by Nell Gwyn (Member # 8291) on :
I'm not sure if this could apply to ear piercings (I've had mine pierced since I was a baby, so I don't remember it), but when I got my navel pierced, they recommended using Dial antibacterial soap as a preferred alternative to special antiseptic stuff. I'd imagine that this would work for earlobes as well, since they're both basically skin and not cartilege, but I'd wait to see if someone agrees with me before taking my word on it. Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
I would recommend NOT going to Claire's. I had a bad experience, but I'm not gonna freak you out with it. Let's just say I had a much better time getting it done by a trusted hairdresser who happened to have the equipment at the salon.
Claire's does, however, have good antiseptic stuff to use once your ears are pierced.
I don't wear earrings that often, but my holes are still there, for the most part.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Getting your ears pierced is nothing! Talk to me when you want your tongue done.
No, really. I remember getting a second hole in each ear. It was a lot less painful than I thought it would be. Here's the key though: get them both done at the same time. Have one piercer on each side of you with the gun. 1..2..3..snap! It's done. My mom had them do it that way when I was a baby and I did it again the second time.
I personally do not recommend going to a mall place like Claire's or Piercing Pagota. Go to a piercing shop and get it done by someone who has a license (usually a EMT or other medically trained professional). If you don't feel comfortable with the person doing it, move onto the next shop. The people at the mall are not as experienced, I assure you.
Also, if you don't feel up to the care required of a piercing, DO NOT GET ONE. One quick google of people in those situations will scare you into submission.
The really great thing about piercings is that you can change your mind. You don't like them, take them out and they close.
Good luck!
EDIT: spelling
Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :
I'm addicted to ear piercings. I have 4 in my right ear, and I very much want more. (Only one in my left ear - I love asymmetry.)
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I got my first piercing done at the local jewelry store, age 8. I was instructed to care for them with hydrogen peroxide. They healed up well, and now even when I don't wear earrings for about a year, they don't close all the way and a few days with starter studs in opens them back up so I can wear earrings if I want to.
My second piercing was a different story. I got my ears pierced just above my first piercings so I could wear two pairs of earrings at once, at age 17. I did it at Claire's. I was not happy. The stuff they gave me didn't seem to work as well as peroxide (I had asked when I had the piercing done and they said, "Oh, no, you definitely shouldn't use peroxide!" Bunk. After three weeks I switched, but it was too late.) They never healed right and I ended up just letting them close and heal; it was not worth the annoyance of trying to get them to heal properly around the stud just to be able to wear two pairs of earrings at once.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
Not a horror story but a warning- I reccommend wearing a bracelet or necklace made of the metal you want your studs to be to make sure you don't have an allergy. Because otherwise you waste a bunch of money. I spent $$$ on a very fashionable medic alert bracelet but found that if I wore it for too long (and it's a medic alert, the point is to wear it for a long time, eh?) I got a rash. Which sucked.
Ear peircings are really awesome. I loooove the look.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yep - I'm allergic to gold. Listen to Princess. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Most starter studs are surgical steel posts, but some do have backings/coatings/whatever with nickel in them. So yeah, good idea to ask.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*shrug* I was very happy with Claire's -- at two different locations. And impressed with their staff elsewhere. And I was very unhappy with the licensed piercer at another place (my youngest has had her ears pierced twice, because as a 9-month-old she kept yanking the earrings out and we decided to leave them out until she was old enough to ask for them).
Looking at online reviews of Claire's and elsewhere (as well as this thread ) it is very clear that YMMV a lot. So how about trying to get recommendations from locals who have actually had their ears pierced at the specific locations you are considering?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I think my problem was just with the stuff they gave me to clean my ears. I had no problems with the way they did the piercing itself.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Most starter studs are surgical steel posts, but some do have backings/coatings/whatever with nickel in them. So yeah, good idea to ask.
And some people (like me) are - and I don't know how - allergic to surgical steel.
And sterling silver...and gold less pure than 18kt...sigh. I love you, titanium.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I think my problem was just with the stuff they gave me to clean my ears. I had no problems with the way they did the piercing itself.
*laugh* While I liked their stuff much much better than hydrogen peroxide and other solutions I've used.
Clearly, ears are weird. Posted by Allegra (Member # 6773) on :
i got my ears done at the Claires in Bloomington, IN where Breyer would go. I was not esp. happy with them. The holes are in slightly different places. I know it is impossible to put them in exactly the same place, but they are more off then I would expect.
I got my ears pierced at the piercing pagoda and I was happy. I had to take them out for an x-ray and they closed up which is why I had to go to claires.
On the day you go I would recommend avoiding caffiene, it intensifies pain, and taking an ibprofen an hour or so before you go.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Mom said I should talk to a few people here in town, but the people at the red cross (who she just randomly asked when she was giving blood) said claire's is fine here.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Rivka, do you happen to know if their stuff has rubbing alcohol in it? Because I had a sensitivity to it (which has now become a full-blown allergy.)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I thought it was alcohol-free, but I can't find any picture big enough to see sufficient detail.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
It might have been some other chemical. I'm sensitive to an awful lot of things. In any case, my ears swelled up horribly, I got multiple infections, and I ended up with keloiding.
Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :
I don't have time to read this whole thread, so let me just say-
I have my ears and tongue pierced. I had my lip and another sensitive area done. I would't get it done at Claire's, I would go to a tattoo place or piercing place. Those guns they use at places like Claire's (if they still use them) are awful and trap bacteria. I would have it done with a plain needle.
Posted by ifmyheartcouldbeat (Member # 8692) on :
its the easiest thing to get pierced...and very easy to clean..and it hurts for like a milisecond..and then you have beautiful peirced ears to look at forever Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
I just had mine done last winter. Hubby gave me earrings for Christmas, so if I wanted to get lots more jewelry from him, I'd be best off getting my ears peirced. He's given me some lovely sets since, so it's totally worth it.
I got them peirced at a Claires and had no problem at all with them. It stung a bit, but really no big deal.
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Wow, I just had to wade through 4 (!) dobies to find the original post.
What was it about this topic that was so dobie-able?
Oh, and I got my ears pierced when I was 11. I wore earrings regularly until college, but rarely since then. I now wear them maybe once a year, and the holes are still there.
--Mel
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Got pierced at eleven, it barely hurt, after a faithful six weeks with the training studs, they have never closed over no matter how long I go without wearing earrings. Never infected, never any problems, and I adore earrings. I say go for it.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
I had my ears pierced when I was 22 (while I was a missionary in Bulgaria - hehe). The salon I had it done at had been recommended by a friend and they were very professional and did a great job. It barely hurt at all. I think I wore my original studs for about a month before changing them out. Keeping them cleaned (twice a day) and rotated (every time I thought about it) wasn't a problem. I've not ever had any problems with them (though occasionally some earrings make me itch, so I assume I'm sensitive to whatever they are made out of). I tend to wear small hoops (all the time, even sleep in them) and only change them when I'm getting dressed up.
My cartiledge piercing was another story. I had lots of problems with it getting infected (and with my hair getting caught in my earrings) and since I sleep on my sides, it hurt often. After about a year I gave up and it closed up very rapidly. I've been considering having it redone (becaus I really liked it), but I'm concerned I'll have the same problems again.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
I also have not worn earrings in years and years and mostly got away with it until last year when for some reason my right one closed. Let me tell you that it takes a lot of guts to repierce your ear yourself. *grin*
Earrings are fun, but I find that I just don't wear jewelry anymore. That said, I have a big jewelry box full of them.
Take care of them if you do get yours pierced because infections are no fun. Once the first studs are out, though, they really don't require any care.
Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :
I had my earlobes pierced at age 9 at Claire's, and they pierced one on my ears in the wrong place (like off-center) and they had to take that one out and wait six weeks for it to heal before they could repierce it. I looked like a boy! Well, not really, but it was sad.
I got the cartilage on the top of my right ear pierced in the two places (I have a cool spiral thing) by a private piercing salon with a hollow needle, and I really, really preferred that. I would find out if you have a reputable piercing salon in town and go there; these are people who do this for a living and love their work, not 18 year olds who have been taught how to aim a piercing gun at you. Just ask people with cool piercings where they got them done and a clear picture of a good salon should emerge.
As for healing - I think it's all about hot sea salt soaks and a cleanser that doesn't irritate. The one warning I have regarding any products you're given is to pay attention to what your body does; if your ears are pink and sensitive and then one day you forget to use your antibacterial soap and they feel better, this is a sign. Try a gentle detergent and warm water instead. Also, the white crud that builds up is really your white blood cells wandering out to do their job, so don't pick it off; it'll rinse off in the shower, and eventually stop altogether. Just listen to your body!
Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
The most earrings I ever had was seven in my left ear and five in my right. I took out all but the bottom-most ones once I got close to graduation and had to start looking for a grown-up job. Those were done at Piercing Pagoda, and I also had my lip done at Skinquake here in Bloomington.
quote: I would't get it done at Claire's, I would go to a tattoo place or piercing place. Those guns they use at places like Claire's (if they still use them) are awful and trap bacteria. I would have it done with a plain needle.
Couldn't agree more. It'll cost a bit more to get it done by a pro, but the better training and sterile conditions are well worth it.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Skinquake is where my (half) brother reccomended, he's gotten a tatoo there and he stretches his ears.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I got my ears pierced when I was about 13. I've never had any problems with them. I've literally gone for years without wearing ear rings and they have never closed up.
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
at the jewellry store I work at I pierce ears... I'd offer to do yours- we have a really cool system but I don't think you want to Canada for it to be done (The only "problem" I've heard of is one person was allergic to the metal they picked- we did a quick "exchange" and all was good)
I've had my ears pieced for years and after that I've only gotten cartlidge pierced.
My one suggestion would be to go for a post instead of hoop for the piercing process. The hoops tend to not pierce as quickly and cleanly Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Piercings give me the willies. I'm hugely unfond of ear piercings and would heartily vote "no" to them if only people would ever ask me before going and actually care about my opinion. I tend to actively avoid getting impaled with sharp pieces of metal. That other people don't share this survival trait mystifies me.
*shudder*
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Bob, you're a man. A certain percentage of men have that reaction.
The percentage of women who have that reaction is much, much smaller in my experience. I have some theories about why, but they'd probably scare you. Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Why people in today's competitive job market insist on having so many piercings it looks like they fell down the stairs carrying a tackle box is beyond me.
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
I have no problem with adults getting pierced, but it really makes me mad when people take their infants to get their ears pierced. I am so glad my wife agrees with me on this, because that is one fight I would not have backed down on with our own daughter. It would have gotten really ugly.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
My mom's rule was no earrings until age 8. No double piercings until age 16. Nothing else until you move out.
I think that's a good rule.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Listen to Princess Leah! I developed an allergy to metal when I got my ears pierced. Now any jewelry is problematic!
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob the Lawyer: I tend to actively avoid getting impaled with sharp pieces of metal. That other people don't share this survival trait mystifies me.
*shudder*
I feel the same way about fast moving projectiles. The idea that some people would actually race into the pathway of a fast moving projectile in order to intercept is completely foreign to my instincts.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I have a question: How many of you women don't have your ears pierced, never have and not because of allergies or needle fears?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by UofUlawguy: I have no problem with adults getting pierced, but it really makes me mad when people take their infants to get their ears pierced. I am so glad my wife agrees with me on this, because that is one fight I would not have backed down on with our own daughter. It would have gotten really ugly.
I have to agree here. People should have a choice about whether they have any permanant cosmetic alteration. Parents shouldn't be allowed to make those choices for infants.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I won't let my daughters get pierced until at least age 13 and possibly age 16, depending on how well they are able to keep up with chores and homework and such. I refuse to chase after them and remind them to do their work, and I won't do that with earcare, either.
I got mine pierced at age 13 at a Claire's. Left the starters in for 6 weeks, no problems. Unfortunately, my mother only bought me one pair of earrings - big blue teardrops. Most of my wardrobe was pastels. Not a good combination. So they ended up closing up on me.
Mom then repierced them herself when I was 16, shortly before HS graduation, using sterile hypodermic needles (she's a nurse) and a potato on the back of the ear to catch the point. I passed out cold when the tip of the needle moved out of my peripheral vision... she waited until I was conscious again... evil woman LOL. I wore regular studs, not starters, and those have never grown over. Every once in a while I'll have a problem putting an earring in on the left side, I think I may be catching the first tunnel, as if it didn't close entirely. I just pull the stud out and try again, and most of the time it goes through on the second attempt.
Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :
I had my ears pierced once at an Afterthoughts(owned by Claire's if they still exist), and the second holes were at Claire's. Yes it hurts, but you can find more painful things to do to yourself by accident so don't dwell on that. As for closed-ups holes, I rarely need to take out the studs I wear 24/7 (since my second hole) so I don't know. My first holes were still there after about a year of not wearing earring. I avoid leaving earrings out of my second holes. I imagine that the smaller the hole is, the more likely it is to close up. If you heavy earrings after it becomes okay to do so, your holes will strech a bit and I doubt they will ever close up on you so then you don't have to worry.
(PSA to young men considering the earring that stretch your ears: it's ugly and gross. I, a gorgeous 19 year old woman, will not date you. Not that I know you but still....)
And don't pinch your ears a lot right before to test if it will hurt. That makes it REALLY hurt.
As for Claire's people misaligning it: that can happen anywhere. If they follow proper procedure the person will mark your ear on the piercing spot. They will then allow you to look in the mirror to see if you think it's even/where you want it. If not, they rub the mark off and move it for you.
Posted by Miriya (Member # 7822) on :
quote:I have a question: How many of you women don't have your ears pierced, never have and not because of allergies or needle fears?
I guess that would be me. I don't believe in cutting up my body for decoration. I do wear ear rings but of the screwback or clip on variety. I see no reason to punch holes in my skin.
I realize I'm in the minority here but there ARE women that feel this way.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Miriya, I ask because I am one of those people also, although I don't wear any sort of earrings. I'm just trying to get an idea of how much of a minority I'm in. I only know one other female person my age who doesn't have her ears pierced.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
I did get mine done in 5th grade, but I let them close up when I became allergic to all metals. Mine got infected multiple times. It was not a good choice for me.
I really like how piercings look, I must admit. But I guess I don't think it's a good thing to do anymore, to put extra holes in yourself. I would never do it to a young child, for instance, and I would probably hold out a long time on letting any children of mine get piercings. At least they're mostly reversible.
I had a small bump cut out from under my tongue once, because some doctor thought I should, and the tip of my tongue has never been as sensitive since I had that done. Don't tongue piercings run the risk of doing damage to nerves, getting scar tissue buildup in your tongue, and losing sensitivity? That is what I would worry about with piercing any sensitive areas.
My advice, though, is not to pierce. Your body is perfect just as it is.
Posted by Audeo (Member # 5130) on :
I got my ears pierced when I was seven under duress. I didn't really want to, but my stepmother convinced me that I should. They used one of the gun things, and it burned for hours, and I got a terrible headache. Then I was allergic to the cleaning the solution and got a terrible scaly infected rash. Furthermore I had to sleep with the studs in my ears, and the backs of the earrings dug into the base of my skull and caused a large painful sore on both sides at my hairline, behind my ear.
Once they were healed, I wore earrings infrequently, maybe once every couple months for a few years, as I got older I wore them less frequently. Now I wear them once or twice a year. It's nice if I want to do something different, but I don't know if it was worth it. On a daily basis I find earrings to be a nuisance. They get tangled in my hair, dig into my neck/skull (I guess my earlobes are closely attached to my head), get caught on clothing, and bug me when the dangle. But like I said, it's nice if you want to 'dress up' with little effort. Because I don't wear them often, I think they add a much flashier look to even everyday outfits.
So I guess my recommendation is to think over how much you like to wear jewelry, if you're sensitive or if there is a family history of sensitivity to metals, and go for it if you're sure. Some people love having their ears pierced, and there are some really cool earrings, I'm rather indifferent.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
If sleeping with the earrings in bothers you, you can take a small piece of a cotton ball and stick it on the back of the stud at night. That really helped me for the first few weeks, until I got used to it.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Like a brief, sharp pinch.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) it is very clear that YMMV a lot. So how about trying to get recommendations from locals who have actually had their ears pierced at the specific locations you are considering?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I looked like a boy! Well, not really, but it was sad.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)