Getting your first ear piercing can be exciting, but intimidating as well. It may be a simple procedure, but it often makes people nervous when they don’t know enough about it.
Ear piercings are pretty common in most parts of the world. In fact, studies show that over 80% of the US population has ear piercings. However, although considered safe, there are instances where ear piercings get infected without proper knowledge and care.
Collecting information before your first piercing will help you have a good overall experience. Preparing for it will also help you choose the right kind of piercing for you.
The right amount of preparation can help you reduce any inconvenience you might face before or after your piercing. Let’s explore some of the main things to know before you get your first ear piercing.
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The Anatomy of Your Ear
You would need to choose your piercing type and method before meeting with a specialist. There are three types of ear piercings: lobe, outer ear, and inner ear. Outer ear and lobe piercings are more common than inner lobe piercings.
The kind of piercing you choose should depend on the anatomy of your ear. If you don’t consider the anatomy of your ear, your piercing can be more painful than you’d expect. Also, your ears might not be suitable for certain kinds of piercings. Getting a piercing that doesn’t suit the anatomy of your ears causes it to heal a lot slower or not heal at all.
For instance, you can get an industrial piercing only if you have a sizable ridge on the upper portion of your ear. These piercings are also unsuitable for those with smaller ears and most people don’t have the right kind of ear for industrial piercings.
Other types of piercings like conch and orbital piercings are suitable for many ear types. Orbital piercings sit on the outer lobe of your ears while conch piercings sit in the inner area. People often wonder if they can get conch piercings for smaller ears. There are many sizes of conch piercings available out there so yes, they can.
Daith piercings, like industrial piercings, aren’t suitable for all ear types. Daith piercings are ideal for those that have large cartilages. The smaller your cartilage, the lesser the room for you to get a Daith piercing.
Outer ear piercings are usually less painful and suitable for all ear types. It would be best to speak to your technician before you opt for a piercing type.
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Potential Allergies to Specific Jewelry
Some people are allergic to specific types of jewelry, which limits their jewelry options. Nickel allergies are among the most common types of jewelry allergies in which many pieces of jewelry are made. These types of jewelry are usually inexpensive and readily available.
If you have a nickel allergy, it would be better to opt for nickel-free jewelry. Reputed manufacturers use sterling silver and other costlier metals to replace nickel. There are also hypo-allergenic earrings that you can opt for.
If you are eyeing diamond earrings for your piercing, the chance of getting an allergic reaction is almost none. This is because the metal clasps or claws used to keep diamonds in place are usually made of platinum or gold.
So, if you want to avoid allergies, splurging a little on these earrings is the safe way to go. Allergies to fake jewelry are pretty common as well. If you don’t have the budget for costly jewelry, consider using barriers to protect your skin from rashes when using fake jewelry realdatesnow
The choice of your piercing will depend on your allergies because different jewelry fits into different piercings. For instance, studs are perfect for outer lobe piercings. Studs mostly contain platinum, silver, or gold. You would need an outer lobe piercing to wear studs.
So, this is a safe piercing option to opt for if you’re allergic to nickel. Also, remember to ask your piercing specialist about the materials they use to pierce your ears. They should use stainless steel needles and other safe materials.
You could also ask them for hypoallergenic jewelry to cover your piercings after the procedure is complete.
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The Ear Piercing Specialist
It’s very important to find a good ear piercing specialist before you opt to pierce your ears. Many people find themselves taken in by discounts and get piercing ears at any studio. They then deal with painful aftercare and sometimes, more serious consequences.
On average, ear piercings cost between $20 to $80, depending on a few factors. So, it’s not as though piercing your ears will be an exorbitant affair. It doesn’t make sense to skimp on a few dollars and put your health at risk by not visiting a piercing specialist.
The technician you pick should have enough training to pierce your ears. This is especially true if you want to opt for the needle piercing method. A good way to find out if a technician is reliable is to read online reviews.
You could even ask for recommendations from the people you know that have ear piercings.
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The Potential of Facing Discomfort
Piercing your ears can cause some discomfort, but it’ll fade. The site of the ear piercing will likely be sore for a few days. The pain that you experience right after the piercing will ebb right away. There are two types of piercing methods for ears: gun method and needle method.
The piercing gun method is harder on your ears than needles since it’s harder to heal from. This method involves placing a gun against your earlobe and puncturing a hole for a sterile needle to go through.
The needle piercing method involves creating a hole in your ear by removing skin and tissue. This makes it simple for your wound to dry and heal. But, you should remember to get needle piercings from trained specialists.
A big advantage of needle piercings is that you can use them for all parts of your ears. You can even use them on your cartilages if you wish to wear earrings there. But, remember to take steps to care for your ears after either piercing method.
You will experience soreness and swelling for at least a couple of days after the piercing. It can also be uncomfortable for you to sleep on your ears for a few days after you pierce them. Anything you do that involves applying pressure to your ear is likely to hurt you.
You should keep an eye out for signs of infection after your piercing. These signs include an increase in redness after the first 48 hours since your piercing. Another sign to watch out for is recurring swelling a few days after the procedure.
It’s advisable to visit your healthcare expert if you notice these signs of infection.
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After Care Steps
Getting your ears pierced by a trained technician isn’t enough. You should remember to ask them about anything you can do to care for your ears after the procedure. In most cases, the technician will tell you the steps you can follow without you having to ask.
But, in case they forget, make sure to speak to them for a few minutes before you leave their studio. First, they would tell you about the steps you need to follow to prevent infection at the piercing site.
Then, you can ask them about any extra steps you can take to reduce pain and irritation for the next few days. Some specialists recommend an after-care routine that lasts for months. Even if you follow the after-care steps, about 20% of ear piercings result in infections. That’s why it’s better to speak to your specialist and find out what they recommend.
Conclusion
Considering these things will help you pierce your ears without any hassles. After piercing your ears, you can wear everything from diamond studs to hoops. So, it allows you to enhance your everyday outfits at the cost of minimal discomfort.
Make sure to go through the piercing step-by-step so you don’t miss anything important.
