Ear Piercings
Ear Piercing Guide
Getting a new ear piercing is always exciting. On this page you can find more information about all things related to piercings.
If you have any questions about ear piercings, read on for more information about how much pain to expect or how long it will take for your new ear piercing to heal.
Is your new ear piercing already set? Continue reading proper piercing aftercare and how to buy the right piercings or earrings for you. You can find the different ear piercing categories at the top of the page.
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What part of your ear can be Pierced?
Almost any part of the body can be pierced in one way or another, and the same goes for the ear.
There are two different types of ear piercings; a piercing through the earlobe or the cartilage of the ear. As shown in the illustration, there are quite a few cartilage and earlobe piercings.
The cartilage of the ear is made of elastin and collagen fibers, so it is both elastic and gives the ear its shape. The earlobe has no cartilage and is made of soft connective tissues.
There is a big difference between the two parts of the ear regarding the types of jewellery and the amount of healing time and aftercare needed.
Pierced with a Needle or Gun?
Piercings should be done with a special piercing needle. Only earrings or piercings in the part of the earlobe with no cartilage can be done with a piercing gun. Never have an ear piercing in your cartilage done with a piercing gun.
What exactly is the difference between the two methods? Piercing with a needle is done by hand. Each needle is new and sterilized. A piercing needle is very sharp and hollow on the inside. The hollow needle pierces through the skin to create the piercing hole, after which the piercing jewellery is put in place. A piercing gun shoots the earring bar through the skin with force. Special sterilized ear studs should be used, with bars sharp enough to punch through the skin. However, this may damage cartilage, and the piercing gun cannot be properly sterilized.
If you are going to have your earrings shot, always make sure that the used earrings are new, sterilized, and meant for this. Standard earrings are not suitable!
How long have Ear Piercings been around?
Ear piercings are the most popular form of body modification and have been around for thousands of years. Different styles of earrings have been trending over time from giant hoops and sparkly crystals to stretched or curated ears.
The earliest evidence of ear piercings dates back over 5000 years to Ötzi the Iceman, a mummy found in the Alps. Archaeologists have found piercings on mummies and remains from all eras since then. There are even references to earrings in the Old Testament.
Everybody knows someone with an ear piercing, and whether they are worn for fashion or otherwise, ear piercings can be found all around the world.
Questions you might have before getting an Ear Piercing
Risks when getting an Ear Piercing
Below are the four most common mistakes made after getting an ear piercing.
Touching
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Touching
Do not fiddle around with your new piercing. It might feel uncomfortable or strange at first, but if you leave it alone it will soon feel like you’ve always had the piercing. Leaving your piercing alone will improve the healing process.
Proper Aftercare
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Proper Aftercare
Just regularly clean the pierced area with a saline solution to avoid infections or irritations. It only takes a moment of your time, but unfortunately it is easy to forget. Our Piercing Healing Kit can help you take great care of your new piercing.
Being Patient
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Being Patient
Piercings need a few months to heal on average, so don’t go changing your jewellery straight away. With a little patience and care you can soon change your new, healed piercing.
Cotton Buds
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Cotton Buds
A frequent mistake, the wool from cotton buds can get caught in the piercing and cause more issues, so use special swab sticks or a clean cloth for cleaning or drying the piercing.
Ear Piercing Aftercare
When you get a new ear piercing done, take care of the fresh wound to promote long-term piercing health.
Use a saline solution, such as our Salt Spray, to clean your fresh piercing twice a day. We recommend doing so once in the morning and once in the evening.
After the first two weeks, you can start using the Salt Spray with Tea Tree. This special spray helps to fight bacteria and prevent infections.
Learn more about proper piercing aftercare by clicking the button below.
Get an Ear Piercing
Are you convinced and can't wait to get an ear piercing? Before visiting your local piercing studio we recommend reading our getting pierced guide first.
Here you can find tips on selecting the right piercing studio. You can also find other relevant information.
New Ear Piercing Jewellery
