Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer for more details.
Ready to up your style game with a fresh ear piercing? First things first: pick a piercer you can trust. Opting for someone who knows their stuff and works out of a licensed studio keeps nasties like infections at bay. With the right pro, you’ll lower the chance of problems like your piercing doing a Houdini and disappearing on you.
Here’s your cheat sheet for finding the piercer of your dreams:
- Check Licenses and Certifications: Don’t even think about taking a seat unless they’re licensed and play by the industry rules.
- Snoop Around for Experience: Hunt down reviews or tales that boast about their finesse and friendliness.
- Eyeball the Cleanliness: A spotless setup is a must.
- Ask Away: Quiz them on how they keep things squeaky clean and what’s in your ear bling.
Going the extra mile to find a squeaky-clean artist means smooth sailing ahead with your new piercing adventure.
Preventing Complications
Got ears on the brain? Keep infections out of the picture by playing it smart with your ear piercing prep. Cartilage piercings are tricky because less blood flow makes it hard for the body’s defenses to do their thing.
Here’s how to dodge the drama:
- Do Your Homework on Studios: Not every place plays by the rules. Go for spots with shiny reviews and top cleanliness marks.
- Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize: Make sure every tool and surface is scrubbed down before it touches you.
- Ponder Placement: Where you decide to pierce could make a big difference in the risks involved (1).
And don’t forget, the jewelry you’re rockin’ matters too. The APP says internally threaded pieces, which have the twisty part on the removable side, are your best bet for new holes.
Stay smart, and you’ll be flaunting those new lobes with zero issues. For more pearls of wisdom on piercing aftercare, check out our takes on how to get rid of piercing bump and how do i sleep with lobe piercings on both sides.
Ear Piercing Aftercare – Healing Process Timelines
So, you’ve pierced those ears—grabbed yourself some ear candy! Understanding how long it takes to heal means you can take good care of them. Here’s the lowdown:
| Piercing Type | Initial Healing Time | Full Healing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Earlobe Piercing | 6 weeks | 4-6 months |
| Cartilage Piercing | 12 weeks | 6-12+ months |
These nuggets of wisdom come from Self (2)and STUDS (3).
For earlobe piercings, the magic number is six weeks—that’s when most of the healing happens and you can swap out for a cute nickel-free earring. Cartilage piercings need more love; about 12 weeks for the surface, while deep healing can go on for up to a year!
Cleaning and Care Tips
Keep your bling infection-free and healing fast with some simple steps. Here’s the scoop:
- Clean Twice Daily: Grab a saline solution or mild soap and water. Wash your hands, too—no germs allowed!
- No Poking: Keep your paws off to keep things clean and neat.
- Stay Regular: Don’t bail on your cleaning routine. Consistent cleaning stops funky smells from body stuff overbuilt up—gross, right? (3).
Hold off on taking out your earring early to dodge a closure calamity—it may shrink or close pronto if you’re not careful! Keep on cleaning your piercing even if it looks good outside; inside could still be sensitive and needs some TLC.
Got a bump you’re worried about? Check out our resource on how to get rid of piercing bump for help.
These tips help your piercings stay happy and healthy. Cruise through our related reads for more advice on keeping those ears looking fabulous and what to keep in mind before your first ear piercing.
