Ear piercing is the most common type of body piercing. You can have your earlobes or ear cartilage pierced, and many people choose to have both. The procedure can sting a bit, but should not cause undue pain. Minimize your chances for pain by carefully choosing both the type of piercing you want and the shop that will perform the procedure. Take good care of your newly pierced ears to reduce the risk of painful infection.
Safety Risks
If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, hemophilia or a blood clotting disorder or certain heart conditions, consult with your doctor before getting a piercing. Do not pierce an area where you have a rash, mole, cluster of freckles or skin irritation. Any of these conditions can interfere with healing, increase your risk for infection and cause pain.
Needle Piercing
Needle piercing is performed at reputable piercing shops. After your ears are cleaned with special soap, a very sharp hollow needle is passed through the skin. Earrings are then placed in the new holes. Choose hypoallergenic earrings such as those made from titanium, surgical steel or 18 karat gold. Other metals can irritate your skin as your ears heal, leading to pain and even infection.
Gun Piercing
Most ear piercers in malls and accessory stores use piercing guns. After your ears are cleaned, an earring is loaded into the gun and, when the trigger is pulled, locked into your ear. The one-step process is easy and fast and is generally recommended for children's piercings. Some shops use two piercers to simultaneously pierce both ears on very small children. Gun piercing is often less painful than needle piercing, as it is over quickly.
Make sure that the shop uses only single-use, disposable piercing guns. Disposable cartridges are an acceptable alternative, but the guns are difficult to sterilize. Ask about the shop's sterilization procedures.
Choosing a Shop
Some people make an impulse decision to pierce their ears, often lured by inexpensive promotions while shopping. Ear piercing is a long-lasting decision that can affect your health, so take the time to shop around.
Cleanliness and professionalism are the most important factors in a piercing shop. Observe others being pierced. Make sure that the piercer uses sterilized equipment, washes her hands and wears clean gloves. Needle piercing can be painful if the piercer is hesitant or has trouble getting the jewelry into the hole. Look for a piercer with steady hands and an efficient demeanor.
Caring for Your Ears
Infected ears can be extremely painful. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new earrings. Apply antibiotic ointment or rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab, and then gently turn the earrings. Your piercer will give you precise instructions on how often to clean the piercings and how long to avoid certain activities such as swimming.
If you develop signs of infection, such as pain, tenderness or redness, contact your doctor. Most piercing infections are easy to treat, but they can cause health problems if left untreated.
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