Ear Piercing FAQs

There is no better accessory than a stunning pair of diamond earrings, however, in order to wear a pair, you need to go through the process of ear piercing. Being able to wear precious gems and stones is one of the biggest benefits of getting your ears pierced, however, there are certain things you should prepare for and be aware of if you've never had a piercing before. In our latest blog post, we answer some of the most common FAQs when it comes to ear piercing so that you can have complete peace of mind.

Which Ear Piercing Is Best?

When it comes to ear piercing, you may be wondering about the different methods and which is best when it comes to your own ears. Predominantly there are two ways you can receive a piercing, and this is by a gun or needle. Many people consider using the latter, a needle, the best method as it is safer and often less painful than a gun. The sharp point of a needle also allows for a clean hole to be created.

How Much Is An Ear Piercing In The UK?

You may also be considering the cost of getting your ears pierced. In the UK this can vary depending on location and also the area you want to be pierced. There are many options when it comes to ear piercing rather than just lobe, for example, cartilage, and this can increase in price accordingly. It also depends on the actual earring jewellery you select, as you are paying for both the physical earring and the piercing service. on average, the cost of a lobe piercing in the UK is within the region of £10-20. If you were looking to get a cartilage piercing it would increase to around £25-40.

How To Clean An Ear Piercing?

Once you have received an ear piercing it is incredibly important to clean the holes regularly. Not only does this encourage healing but it also avoids the chance of infection. You will likely be provided with a saline solution by your piercer to clean the ears with daily, you could use a cotton bud to apply the solution once to twice a day for the recommended time period your piercer advises. If you accidentally skip a day, you are unlikely to develop an infection, but it is best to apply the solution daily, especially with a fresh piercing. Typically you need to start cleaning your piercings the next day after receiving them. If you do find that the holes get infected, then you may need to get some prescription creams or solutions to heal the piercing.

How To Pierce Your Own Ears?

If you didn't want to visit a professional piercer then it is possible to pierce your own ears at home. However, this isn't recommended as it is far less safe and the risk of infection is much higher. If you really want to pierce your ears at home, ask someone you trust to make the piercing as this will be much easier than trying to do it yourself. Source an extremely sharp sewing needle and make sure that you have sterilized it in rubbing alcohol or something similar to kill any germs. This will significantly decrease the chance of the holes getting infected. It would also be a good idea to numb the area you want to pierce with ice beforehand to make the process less painful.

How To Treat An Infected Ear Piercing?

Sometimes even after properly cleaning and looking after your new piercing, the holes can still become infected. This can leave the area feeling incredibly painful and prolong healing. It's important to address infections quickly to ensure it doesn't spread and cause you further harm. Make sure to apply warm compresses to the infected area and keep cleaning the piercing multiple times a day until the infection clears up. In more serious situations you may have to visit a doctor to receive prescription medication to clear up the infection.

How Long Do Ear Piercings Take To Heal?

When it comes to how long an ear piercing takes to heal, it completely depends on the location. For example, lobe piercings heal much quicker than cartilage piercings. On average a lobe ear piercing takes around 6-8 weeks, whereas a cartilage piercing can take anywhere from 4 weeks to a year. If you find that after your piercing the area is swollen and red, this is fairly normal. You can always apply a cold or ice compress in an attempt to bring down the swelling. Ensure to keep cleaning your piercings to speed up the healing process and avoid the chance of infection.

Does Ear Piercing Hurt?

There's no denying that there's a certain amount of pain with any piercing. This typically is only felt in the moment and clears quite quickly. On some occasions, your piercer may use a numbing cream. Lobe piercings tend to hurt less, and as you go further up the ear towards cartilage this is where some more significant pain can be found with any piercing.

How Do You Sleep With Newly Pierced Ears?

When you have a fresh piercing, it's important to consider how you sleep to not irritate the fresh wound and allow it to heal properly. The best way to do this is by sleeping on your back to avoid pain and disturbing the new earring too much.

Is A Needle Or Gun Better To Pierce With?

In general, a needle piercing is better than a gun piercing. Not only can it hurt less, but it is also more accurate and safer overall. They are also often cleaner than guns and therefore mean less chance of infection.