How To Get an Ear Piercing

Choose a piercing. While most people think specifically of lobes when they hear the words "ear piercing," there are actually a number of locations on the ear which can be pierced. Lobes heal the most quickly, which makes them widely appealing; if you choose a cartilage piercing from the list below, prepare for a longer healing time.

• Helix piercings, also called cartilage piercings, are located in the cartilage of the upper ear.
• Industrial piercings span the ear, with piercings in two locations on the cartilage of the ear; for a twist on the classic straight industrial, you can get a curved industrial.
• Rook piercings go in the tiny horizontal bar of cartilage above your ear canal.
• Tragus piercings are in the flap of cartilage which covers the ear canal.
• Daith piercings are in the "bowl" of your ear.
• Snug piercings hit the inside rim of cartilage on the outer ear, while conch piercings go through both the inside and outside rim of the ear.
• Anti-tragus piercings go in the flap of cartilage which projects up towards the ear canal from the lobe.

Pick a piercer. While you can get your ears pierced at a mall or by a salon, typically with a piercing gun, the use of a professional piercer and a piercing needle is strongly recommended by many piercing trade organizations. Sterilized equipment and the services of a trained piercer dramatically reduce the risk of potential infection, and often yield a more aesthetically pleasing result.

If you have never gotten a piercing before, ask friends with piercings for recommendations, or take advantage of websites which review piercers to find someone with a good reputation. Visit the piercing studio, and look for a studio which is clean and well-maintained, with a pleasant staff.

When you talk to your prospective piercer, make sure that your questions are answered, and your concerns are put at ease. If you cannot see an autoclave for tools, ask to see it, and don't be afraid to ask about sterilization procedures.

When you find a piercer you like, make an appointment to ensure that you wind up with the person you want to work with.

Get your piercing. On the day of your appointment, eat a light meal beforehand so that you will not feel faint, and remember to bring your identification and money to the appointment. Arrive early so that you can fill out required paperwork and pick jewelry; your new jewelry will stay in for two weeks to a month before you can change it.

At the start of your appointment, the piercer will sterilize the area and mark it with a pen. Check the marking in the mirror to make sure that you are happy, and if you are getting matching piercings on either side, check for evenness. Once you approve, your ear will be clamped, the piercer will pierce it, and then the jewelry will be threaded through after the needle.

While the piercer works, remember to breathe deeply, and try to focus on a pleasant thought to distract you from the brief pain.

Take care of your piercing. Follow the aftercare instructions given to you with care, and make sure you get your piercer's number, in case you have questions. If signs of an infection set in, consult your piercer and seek medical attention, but do not remove the piercing. If the hole seals, it can promote a festering infection which can become a serious problem.

Common aftercare for ear piercings includes washing the site gently with antibacterial soap several times a day, as well as using a sea salt soak to reduce the risk of infection. A free flow of air over the piercing should be promoted, and the use of alcohol should be avoided, as it can dry the skin, making the new piercing painful.

A small amount of discharge is normal, but if the discharge turns thick, chunky, or unusual in color, it can be a sign of a problem.