A Detailed Guide to Getting Ear Piercings

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Out of all the types of body piercings, ear piercings are the most popular; 84% of people in the United States have at least one ear piercing. They’re a classic way to adorn your ears for a glamorous look.

Whether you’re thinking of getting one or multiple ear piercings, this essential guide is for you. We share necessary guidelines for choosing, acquiring, and caring for ear piercings. 


Getting an Ear Piercing

pierced ear

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There are two significant steps to getting an ear piercing. First, you need to decide what type of ear piercing you want. Then, find a professional piercer to do it. For a trouble-free experience, here are a few things you need to know. 

Is it safe to pierce your ears?

Yes, it’s entirely safe to pierce your ears. You should have no issues if you go to a professional piercer who uses sterile equipment. 

💡 Take Note: Ear piercings are much simpler than other body piercings. But to be safe, you should get them done by a professional piercer.  

When should babies pierce their ears?

pierced baby's ear

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There’s no specific ideal age for baby ear piercings. Although many physicians advise waiting until your baby is about four months (after they get two tetanus shots), it’s not set in stone.

Complications resulting from ear piercing can happen at any age, so you can decide when to do it as a parent. What matters is you’re using a licensed professional piercer who works in sanitary conditions. 

Where are the best places to get your ears pierced? 

As we mentioned, you should go to a licensed professional. The environment should be clean, and your piercer and any assistants should sanitize their hands before piercing your ears. Here are the best places to go.

  • Enjoy safe, professional piercing services at Maria Tash. They provide different types of ear piercings in a luxurious, relaxed setting. 
  • For your child’s piercing, visiting a pediatrician or a specialized piercing studio like Piercing Pagoda is best. 
  • The Constable Tattoo is also safe for children, but they do not pierce babies younger than six months.

How much do ear piercings cost?

The cost depends on the type of ear piercing. Earlobe piercings are usually less expensive, costing about $20 to $55. Rook piercings are on the higher end (a rook is the uppermost cartilage fold in your ear), costing up to $80. 

Some stores charge separately for the piercing jewelry, while others include it.

How long does it take for ear piercings to close?

The longer you’ve had the piercing, the longer it will take to close. Brand new piercings tend to close a couple hours after removing the starter jewelry. 

Older ear piercings (about 60 days) could take up to three or four weeks to close. Your body’s healing rate also determines how long it will take.

How many ear piercings can you get at once?

Professional piercers will do a maximum of four ear piercings in one sitting. 

💡 Take Note: Getting multiple ear piercings can be extra painful and may take longer to heal. Talk to your piercer before deciding to get multiple piercings at once. 


Ear Piercings Chart 

Types of ear piercings chart

Types of Ear Piercings 

Types of ear piercings - A Detailed Guide to Getting Ear Piercings

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Small as it looks, your ear is a surprisingly vast territory for piercings. Here are a few ear piercing types to spice up your look:

  • Standard lobe piercing: This popular ear piercing goes through the lower part of your earlobe; it’s the least painful type of ear piercing and a truly minimalist ear piercing
  • Helix piercing: A helix piercing can go through any part of the helix (the helix is the ear’s outer rim). 
  • Tragus piercing: The tragus piercing goes through the cartilage flap that partly covers the ear canal. 
  • Rook piercing: This one’s unique; it goes through the thick cartilage fold that sits under the helix. 
  • Daith piercing: A daith piercing passes through the cartilage fold above the ear canal. 
  • Anti tragus piercing: This is on the cartilage opposite the tragus, above your earlobe.
  • Industrial piercing: Usually done with a barbell, an industrial piercing goes through two spots on the helix. 

Check out this post for more ear piercing ideas, including our best tips for combining them.


Caring for New Ear Piercings 

caring for an ear piercing

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The journey doesn’t end when you get your new piercing. You need to take care of it until it heals. So, here’s what you need to know about caring for new ear piercings.

How long do pierced ears hurt?

A pierced ear may hurt for a few days after the initial piercing. But the pain should reduce with each passing day as it heals. Apart from the pain, the piercing site may also swell and redden. 

How do you sleep with a newly pierced ear?

Avoid sleeping on the side of your new piercing to prevent irritations and heal faster. If you’ve pierced both ears, sleep on your back. If you’ve pierced only one ear, sleep on the other side. 

💡 Pro Tip: Try using a neck pillow while sleeping on your back. It elevates your head and allows you to sleep comfortably without resting on your ears.

What should I avoid after ear piercing?

After getting an ear piercing, avoid sleeping on it, touching the piercing site with unwashed hands, or removing the starter jewelry before the site heals. 

You also want to ensure that cosmetics don’t come in contact with your fresh piercing because this can lead to an infection. 

How can I make my ear piercing heal faster?

Diligent and consistent aftercare measures will help your piercing heal faster. For example, soak or clean your piercing with a saline solution or wash it with anti-microbial soap and water twice daily to keep it clean.

Also, avoid touching it unnecessarily except when cleaning, and you should thoroughly clean your hands first. When you keep your piercing free from infection, it will heal faster. 

💡 Take Note: Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean your ears. They will irritate the site and delay healing.

Should you twist new ear piercings?

No! Do not twist the bars or studs in your new piercing. When you rotate your starter jewelry, you prolong the healing process; think of it like scratching a scab off a healing wound. 

Why do pierced ears smell?

The smell from ear piercings is typical. It comes from sebum (the skin’s natural oil) mixing with dead skin cells on the piercing site. If there’s also bleeding, pus, and a fever, it’s likely a sign of an infection. 

How do I clean the inside of my ear piercing?

Follow these instructions to clean inside your ear piercing.

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. 
  2. Apply the saline solution to the site using a cotton swab, gauze pad, or Q-tip
  3. While cleaning, gently remove dried blood or crust.
  4. Depending on the location of your piercing, use your other hand to position the piercing so the saline can go inside.
  5. Gently dab the site with a tissue.

How can I hide my ear piercings?

Fresh ear piercings are difficult to hide because you must keep the starter jewelry intact until the site heals. However, when they heal, you can hide your piercings in various ways, including

  • Letting your hair loose over your ears (if you’ve got long hair)
  • Wearing wide hats 
  • Tying a scarf in a way that covers your ear 
  • Placing a bandaid that matches your skin color over your flat stud earring 
  • Using clear retainers

How long does it take for a pierced ear to heal?

Healing time depends on the type of ear piercing and your body’s healing pace. Earlobe piercings usually heal faster, within six to eight weeks. Ear piercings that go through the cartilage (like the rook and daith) typically take four to twelve months to heal. You may want to get earrings suited for sensitive ears if you have sensitive ears.


Pierce Safely

Ear piercings are generally safe, but one wrong move can lead to a sore and infected ear. With this guide, you can stay safe and make your experience as smooth as possible. Now that you’re ready for your piercing, dive into our detailed guide on ear piercing types to choose your favorite one.

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