If you are new to piercing, there is no better place to start than with ear piercings. The good news is that ear piercings have become safer thanks to innovations in earplugs and safety products. The bad news is that ear piercings have also become far more popular than they were a few years ago.

A growing number of people are choosing to have their ears pierced in order to make a fashion statement, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you're thinking about going through with it.

1. Choose the location

Piercing your ears has become a rite of passage for some, and even a form of celebration that's open to family and friends. This means that some people prefer to get the procedure done with the eyes of those around them. Others find this a private affair done at the piercing shop, doctor's office, or beauty salon.

Getting piercings done has never been simpler. There are a number of places to go to have piercings done. These include tattoo shops, piercing jewelry retailers, and piercing studios. Many of these establishments also offer other services as well, such as getting tattoos done or piercing jewelry.

2. Understand the type of equipment used

When getting your ears pierced, sterility and safety come first. Various machines can be used to perform ear piercings. However, it’s still important to ask about the type of machine used, as different types may require different precautions in order to ensure your ear piercing.

The most popular equipment used to collect data includes:

• Spring-loaded ear-piercing guns that shoot the earring through the ear lobe.

• ‘Cannulas’ or hollow needles, commonly used in body piercing parlors. It involves removing some flesh to make the ear piercing

• Hand-pressured piercing equipment, like the Inverness system. It consists of using a fully-encapsulated and sterile piercing earring to create a gentle, accurate, and quiet piercing.

3. Choose the correct earrings

Choosing the right earrings for you is one of the most exciting parts of getting your ears pierced. It can be difficult to know which piercing to choose as there are so many different types out there. However, the amount of time it takes for a piercing to heal varies depending on the type of piercing and the ear.

The first thing you should consider when purchasing earrings is to find earrings that match your ear size and then look for the earrings with an adjustment mechanism that allows you to see the sharp end of the earring at all times.

For those who prefer Inverness systems, their patented Inverness Safety Backpackers About Us We are a small friendly family-run hostel in the heart of Inverness. We are in a great location with easy access to everything. Our rooms are well kept, clean and have all the modern facilities. We have free internet, laundry, a games room, and a lounge area where you can relax after a day out. We are on the main bus route into Inverness and also the train station.

shields the tip of the piercing earring from debris such as dirt, hair, and lint while providing free airflow for healing. This is perfect for those who prefer clean, easy ear piercing.

You should also check that the piercing stud you choose is a hypoallergenic metal that conforms to the highest standards of nickel content. This means that it will not cause any allergic reaction when pierced.

It can be hard to find non-toxic, easy-to-wear jewelry, especially for those with nickel allergies. The medical-grade titanium options have been shown to be one of the safest metals for everyday use.

4. Ensure you are dealing with a professionally trained and experienced piercer

Piercing is not for the faint of the heart! It’s easy for the inexperienced to make mistakes and end up with an ear-piercing that hurts and looks bad. So, what do you need to look out for? A qualified piercer can advise you on everything from piercing your child, to what type of jewelry you should use. And if your child is having it done, they can tell you how to prepare for the event.

5. Healing and cleaning

Ear piercing is a simple way to change your look but you also need to make sure you take good care of the area afterward. Always clean the piercing spot with an aftercare solution every day. Rotate your piercing stud at least three times each day. And don't forget to check for problems if they arise.

Make sure to wash your hands before touching the piercing and clean it to avoid infections.

Does getting an ear-piercing hurt?

The amount of pain that comes from a piercing can vary. It all depends on how hard you push your ear. If you're pushing really hard, you'll feel a lot of pain and probably need numbing ointment or ice.

The good news is that ear piercings are one of the least painful piercings you can get on your body. They're also fun and look great. However, piercing the hole in your ear is an invasive operation that usually causes minor to moderate pain.

You can find a quick and effective way to alleviate the initial pain of piercing your ears by applying warm compresses to the ear canal right before the procedure. A compress can help to reduce swelling in the area and reduce the initial discomfort. Afterward, applying warm compresses can help with the pain that can come afterward.

In the context of the medical field, a firm pinch on your ear lobe is a small incision made by the doctor to let them access the ear. The pain afterward is actually a throbbing one, although it is quite dull.

It lasts for a few hours and is very tolerable. It is not the best feeling ever, but one can get easily distracted from it after a while. Once the pain disappears, you will be pain-free to enjoy your piercing for the rest of your life.

Pierced ear infections

Ear piercings don't have to be painful at all! With care and a bit of practice, you can get a piercing that will be a smooth transition into the world of earrings and jewelry without too much pain.

If your piercing is new, you must wash your hands before touching it to avoid exposing your piercing to any bacteria. This applies to any piercing and is especially important if you have recently undergone a piercing or any other operation that requires your hands to be clean.

Before inserting earrings in your ear, use clean and soaked gauze to clean your ear canal. Also, use an antiseptic cleaner to sterilize all of your jewelry because any buildup around your ear can cause an infection.

Dead skin can create a nidus of germs and infection, which leads to inflammation. This can cause painful bumps and redness. Cleaning your ears regularly can reduce the number of bacteria in your ear and therefore reduce the likelihood of getting an earache.

Signs and symptoms of ear infections

If it is your first time getting your ears pierced, you may not know what the symptoms of ear infections look like. Often, ear lobe piercings heal faster than cartilage ones. The pain of an infected ear is usually worse than with a cartilage piercing.

The infection rate associated with infected ear piercings is relatively high, and the majority of cases are treated with antibiotic drops and/or bandaging. Complications are rare but can include problems such as ear lobe collapse, scarring, and infection.

How to identify an infected ear piercing

• Pus-like yellow discharge

• Burning and itching sensation

• Redness and tenderness

• Swelling

How to treat infected ear piercings?

Sometimes ear infections can be successfully treated at home. Antibiotics may be needed in serious cases where the infection is more severe. Hospitalization is rare but does happen for those with severe cartilage infections.

Caring for minor infections involves:

• Properly wash your hands before cleaning, touching or handling the earring

• Clean the piercing area with aftercare solution, such as saline solution or distilled water and salt three times a day

• Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibiotic solutions, as they slow down the healing process and irritate the skin

• Do not remove the earring, as it may allow the hole to close and trap infection permanently

• Clean both sides of your ear lobe and pat to dry with a clean paper towel

Consult your doctor if:

• You feel a fever along with the infection

• The infection does not improve after a few days

• The infection spreads to other parts of your body

• The earring does not move once you perform the 360° rotation

• The earrings stay embedded in the skin

Prevention of ear infections

Piercing is a popular trend. Most of them are done with piercing guns rather than needles. It is also very important that you observe strict sterilization procedures when doing this.

1. Be sure to do the following in order to make sure that your pierced earrings stay in place properly.

2. Wear them in a position where there is less chance of the earring falling off or catching your clothes.

3. Make sure your earlobe stays clean, dry, and smooth.

4. Change the way that you wear your clothes so that the earrings can move freely. This would prevent the earring from getting caught in clothing.

5. Don't pull your hair or rub your ears while wearing your earrings.

6. Make sure that you don't play with your earrings excessively.

Sleeping on your back with the right side of your body facing the mattress is often the best position for the healing process. The weight of your body helps support the healing and prevent any further pressure that can be harmful to the ears.

Old piercing infections

Infections in old piercings are similar to those found in new ones. Wash the jewelry with saline solution and with clean hands. If the infection is still present, seek medical attention immediately.

If ear piercings are common, then it is important that piercers have the best earrings they can purchase. Some piercers use special hypoallergenic earrings. Consult your piercer for the best hypoallergenic earrings, and where to find them.

When to remove an ear piercing?

If your ears are newly pierced, it is best to wait a few weeks before removing your earring. This is because when you pull out your earring immediately, it is possible to trap any germs under your skin and cause an infection. To prevent this, take the time to let the hole heal and close properly.

If in doubt, consult your piercer on when to remove the piercing stud and how well it is healing. Piercings like nose rings, tongue or eyebrow rings can require removing the piercing and waiting for it to heal before returning the piercing for another session.