Ear piercing care, prevention, and options?
Getting your ears pierced may sound unspectacular at first – after all, so many people have pierced ears at a young age. Nevertheless, ears should only be pierced if certain quality features are taken into account. Ear piercing care Sterility, cleanliness, and the use of high-quality equipment are important here so that the ear holes remain intact for a long time and inflammation is avoided during the healing period.
Where is the best place to get your ears pierced?
Ears can be pierced by doctors, jewelers, and piercing specialists. There are two basic types of the method: While the piercing specialist often works with a hollow needle, doctors, pharmacists, and jewelers prefer to use ear piercing systems that can be used once. This uses plugs that are pierced through the ear.
The renowned Studs system is a good choice for classic pierced ears, as they are traditionally worn. If there is a desire for more exotic ear piercings, for example in other places such as on the auricle, piercers with their instruments and special know-how are better suited.
Specially developed for piercing ears, these piercing systems ensure gentle and relatively silent piercing. They are not to be confused with the “pistols” used in the past, which worked with spring pressure.
How expensive is an ear piercing?
The prices depend on the selected earrings; that is used for the ear piercing and start at € 39.90 including antiseptic for both ears. The Antiseptic can be used in addition to the subsequent care of the newly pierced ears.
Is ear piercing still possible during the pandemic?
The opening of our stores and the associated services depend on the current incidence of infection and can vary in the respective federal state and district according to the regulations.
Please use our appointment arrangement to find out which stores are currently offering this service and to make an appointment if necessary.
Which method of ear piercing is better?
Apart from the choice between the technical possibilities and the sterility. The question always arises as to which method is best suited for you personally. There is no right or wrong here. some prefer the idea of using a needle to pierce, while others prefer the “quick fix” using the piercing system.
How bad is the pain when getting your ears pierced?
As with any form of pain, the feeling here is also very person-dependent. Basically, however, it can be said that even pain-sensitive, anxious people are often surprised by the harmlessness of the pain that occurs when an ear is pierced. They owe this to the optimization of the piercing systems, which make the piercing as gentle on the tissue as possible and less painful. The slight pricking of medical needles, such as for vaccinations, offers a good comparison. If there are still concerns, cooling, and slightly anesthetic measures can also be used to reduce the pain even further.
How do I properly care for pierced ears?
With the right aftercare, complications after the sting can be avoided. In order to optimally support the healing process, particular attention must be paid to hygiene. The ear and studs should only be touched with clean hands. Use a special conditioning lotion to clean and condition both the front and back of the ears at the same time.
The lotion should be gently applied to the pierced ears at least twice a day. At the same time, it is also a good idea to move the ear studs forwards and backward. Thanks to the gentle movements, the round shape of the ear holes can heal nicely. Only in extreme cases is it advisable to completely remove the ear studs during the healing period.
There is often uncertainty about whether freshly pierced ears can get wet in the shower. In principle, getting wet is not a problem as long as you rinse the pierced ears well with water and do not let hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner get on the earlobes. Since moisture promotes the influx of bacteria into open wounds, it is also advisable to soothe the area around the ear holes with a little care lotion after showering.
How long does it take before the first plugs can be replaced?
The healing time depends greatly on which area of the ears was pierced. An average of 6 weeks is enough for the earlobes. However, if the new ear piercings are more in the cartilage area, the plugs should remain in the ears for at least 12 weeks without interruption. Even if the first studs are exchanged, you should make sure that you only wear stud earrings or earrings with a pin-shaped interior at the beginning. With the following earrings, always pay attention to the material of the stud earrings. In the case of high-quality plugs, this consists of either surgical steel or other materials that have anti-allergic properties.
You have questions we have the answers.
Along with rings, necklaces, and bracelets, earrings are probably the most popular jewelry accessories. Therefore, getting your ears pierced is a very important event. And of course, everything should run optimally even with further ear piercings. That is why many people seek the advice of medically experienced professionals because they appreciate the expertise of medical practices and pharmacies in all matters relating to health.
You are in good hands with medical practices or pharmacies: They will be happy to inform you with a practical guide about everything you need to know about professional ear piercing and the corresponding aftercare. Your doctor’s practice or pharmacy is always there for you if you have individual questions on these topics. Beauty and health should go hand in hand, even when it comes to ear piercing. Your doctor’s office or pharmacy will be happy to advise you.
What is the difference between ear piercing and body piercing?
Ear piercing is the piercing of the earlobe or the upper flat area of the ear cartilage using modern and hygienic ear piercing devices that use sterile, disposable cartridges. The sterile first ear stud is placed directly in the ear hole and the closure is automatically attached in exactly the right position at the same time.
Body piercing is the piercing of the skin except for the lobe of the ear and the upper flat area of the ear cartilage. First, the affected area on the body is pierced with a sterile, single-use hollow needle. The sterile jewelry is then inserted through the freshly punched hole and then closed by hand.
What is the difference between ear piercing in the earlobe and in the cartilage area?
The traditional ear piercing in the soft earlobe (lobe) with modern instruments is hardly noticeable for most people or is at best perceived as a small pike. The earlobe is well supplied with blood. Therefore, the ear hole heals relatively quickly here. This means that the anti-allergic first studs can be replaced with other earrings after just 6 weeks. After about 5 to 6 months, the ear holes are usually completely healed.
Ear piercing in the upper flat cartilage area (helix) of the ear is now the second most popular of all types of ear piercing. Cartilage is the only tissue in the body that is not supplied with blood. Therefore, the blood cannot take care of removing metabolic products and supplying nutrients there. This is done at this point by diffusion. Therefore, the healing process of pierced ears takes much longer here. The anti-allergic studs in the cartilage may only be replaced by other earrings after 12 weeks. And it takes about 12 months for the ear piercings to fully heal.
How is an ear pierced?
The lancing process is carried out with modern and hygienic ear piercing systems. A sterile cartridge is inserted into these precision instruments, each containing an anti-allergic first stud and an ear stud closure. The ear piercing is created by gently and gently pushing the special ear stud through the ear lobe with a short movement using the muscle power of the hand operating the device. The clasp of the ear stud behind the ear is automatically positioned in the correct place on the stud pin. When ear piercing with modern cartridge systems, the ear does not come into contact with the instrument itself, but only with the sterile ear stud and the closure. Here you can see how the lancing process works.
History: Do you have any allergies?
Do you know if you are allergic to certain substances? On nickel, house dust, medicines, or disinfectants, for example? Or are such allergies known in your family? If necessary, have this clarified by your family doctor before you have your ear pierced. This is very important to avoid complications for ear piercing care.
Which materials should you pay attention to?
Support the healing process after ear piercing and avoid allergic reactions by choosing earrings made of high-quality materials such as 316 L surgical steel, titanium, or real gold. Make sure that your earrings are anti-allergic and skin-friendly and comply with the EU-Reach regulation 2004/96/EG.
Nickel can be found in many places in today’s everyday life, for example in jewelry, spectacle frames, wristwatches, zip fasteners, buttons, buckles or scissors. All steel is always made of nickel and other materials. Even lettuce and chocolate contain nickel. Fashion jewelry that is too cheap can sometimes contain a lot of nickel. However, since some people are allergic to nickel, the EU-Reach regulation regulates how much nickel may be released into the skin per week. For earrings, this is a maximum of 0.2 micrograms per square centimeter per week (i.e. 0.2 millionths of a gram).
316L surgical steel and medical titanium, which are often used for initial stud earrings, are materials that are also used in medicine.
for example, surgical implants that remain in the human body for a lifetime without causing any harmful side effects. With all the initial earrings used by your doctor or pharmacist, you can be sure that they are anti-allergic and skin-friendly, fall well below the maximum value of the EU-Reach regulation, and are therefore ideally suited for ear piercing.
What are the age regulations for ear piercing?
Minors (under the age of 18) must present a consent form signed by their legal guardian. In the case of children or young people under the age of 16, a legal guardian must also be present in person when the ears are pierced.
Adults (18 years and older) also sign a declaration of consent before the lancing process.
In general, there is no legal minimum age for ear piercing. Parents or legal guardians can determine the best time for their children themselves. Your doctor’s practice or pharmacy will be happy to give you individual medical advice.
From a medical point of view, age does not matter when it comes to ear piercing.
What are the risks of ear piercing?
Before having your ears pierced, your doctor or pharmacist will first clarify so-called contraindications with you and inform you about the risks of ear piercing in general and the importance of proper aftercare. Contraindications can be, for example, hemophilia, HIV, hepatitis, or a tendency to severe scarring. You will also be asked about known allergies and especially about metal intolerance. The medical professional will also examine your ear for any cuts, rashes, or bumps and will recommend postponing the ear piercing if this is the case.
A freshly pierced ear is a wound (albeit a very small one). Therefore, hygiene is particularly important here. In order to reduce the risk of infection or inflammation, which mainly occurs with improper or irregular follow-up care, it is important that you follow the care instructions from your doctor’s office or pharmacy conscientiously.
What about the hygiene on site?
In many countries, ear piercing is subject to the respective “Provisions for the monitoring of companies in accordance with the Ordinance for the Prevention of Communicable Diseases” of the federal states, also called “Hygiene Ordinances” for short. Special hygiene plans define the lancing process as well as requirements for the premises and their equipment and cover points such as disinfection, cleaning, and disposal. In your doctor’s office or pharmacy, you can be sure that the medical staff will comply with all hygiene regulations.
The person doing the work wears disposable gloves. Your ear will be properly disinfected. The hypoallergenic first ear stud and the clasp are sterile packed in a sealed disposable cartridge. This is inserted into the instrument by the specialist, without touching the earring or clasp. The instrument itself does not come into contact with your ear. Nevertheless, it is disinfected after each use, which also applies to the workplace and all work surfaces.
Ear piercing care and prevention
Professional ear piercing care reduces the risk of infection
What should be considered after ear piercing care?
Proper and regular aftercare after ear piercing is particularly important to keep your ears beautiful and healthy. Newly pierced ears need to be groomed with appropriate products at least twice a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain the aftercare to you and give you a care product and detailed care instructions for new ear piercings. If you follow these instructions diligently, you can easily avoid inflammation, infection, or other complications.
Do not touch the stud and your ear unnecessarily during the healing phase after the ear piercing, and if you do, then only with freshly washed hands. The instrument will automatically position the stud clasp correctly on the stud post. Be careful not to push the clasp closer to your ear. This ensures that the ear stud sits correctly and that enough air gets to the puncture channel. A stud that is too tight can lead to infection.
How long should you wear your first earrings?
Leave the ant-allergic ear studs in the earlobe for at least 6 weeks without removing them. In the cartilage area, leave the appropriate plugs in the ear continuously for at least 12 weeks. The plugs should also not be removed from the ear during this time to care for the pierced ears.
What do you have to consider when showering, bathing, and washing your hair?
In general, between cleanings with the ear piercing care product, the ears should come into contact with moisture as little as possible. Avoid contact with hairspray, shampoo, soap, etc. with freshly pierced ears. After showering or bathing, the ear should be rinsed with clear water and then treated with the care product.
Do you have to take out the earrings when you exercise?
Some schools, sports clubs, or other institutions have regulations regarding the wearing of jewelry. It may be that earrings are generally not allowed in sports there or have to be masked. Find out about this before getting your ears pierced. To prevent the new ear piercings from growing back, the initial earrings should not be removed during the healing phase. If this is not possible due to the respective regulations, we advise you to plan the ear piercing for the holiday season.
Can pierced ears grow back together?
Ear holes that have just been pierced or have not yet healed would close up again if the ear studs were removed. That’s why you should wear your first studs in the earlobe for at least 6 weeks and in the cartilage area for at least 12 weeks without interruption. In total, it takes about 5 months (earlobes) or 12 months (cartilage area) until the ear holes have completely healed, this is the best way for ear piercing care.
On the other hand, once the ear holes have completely healed, they will not close again. A skin forms all around the inside of the puncture canal, which thus closes the wound caused by ear piercing. Sometimes the impression of overgrowth is caused by a clot of sebum forming inside if you don’t wear earrings for a while.
Can you go swimming with new ear piercings?
It is advisable to avoid swimming as much as possible during the healing phase (6 weeks for earlobes, 12 weeks for ear piercings in the cartilage area). After all, the freshly pierced ear piercing is initially a wound that should be kept as germ-free as possible. Public swimming pools are often contaminated with germs, especially bacteria. And pools that are cleaned with chlorine are of concern because the chlorine and its by-products can dry out and irritate the skin. Even in bathing lakes or in the sea, germ contamination cannot be ruled out. However, if you do go swimming and your ear comes into contact with water, we advise you to treat the pierced ear with the care product immediately afterward. Or, if necessary, use a waterproof plaster that you remove after swimming.
Which follow-up earrings are recommended?
Even after the first 6 or 12 weeks, you should wear ear studs or earrings with a pin-shaped inner part, not earrings, during the further healing phase. The connector pin should be made of surgical steel or another hypoallergenic material such as titanium, real gold, or sterling silver. It is advisable not to wear costume jewelry that is too cheap, as this sometimes releases a lot of nickel or can even be contaminated with the harmful heavy metals lead and cadmium or the metal cobalt, which is also harmful to health.
What should be considered for the connective tissue for ear piercing care?
Many women like to wear large earrings. However, these are often quite heavy and put a strain on the connective tissue, i.e. they pull it apart. We recommend wearing heavy earrings on special occasions to avoid permanent earlobe deformation.
Interactions with medicinal products: Caution in case of intolerance to antibiotics or cross-incompatibilities
Ear piercing by trained specialists and medical professionals usually proceeds without complications. Nevertheless, it can occasionally happen that the wound becomes infected. The reason is usually a lack of follow-up care. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, antibiotics may then have to be used. Therefore our advice: Ask your doctor beforehand about a possible intolerance.
There may also be cross-incompatibilities. Our advice: If you are currently taking antibiotics. It is better to postpone the ear piercing care until a later date.
When should you see a doctor for ear piercing care?
For example, severe inflammation can be very red, swollen, bleed, or form pus. It is often painful. In this case, please consult your doctor immediately, e.g. your family doctor or dermatologist. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, he or she will decide whether the earring needs to be removed. He will thoroughly clean and disinfect the wound and tell you what else you should do to support the healing process. Particular caution is required in the case of complications in the ear cartilage, as permanent damage to the tissue could result if left untreated.
CHECKLIST EAR PULLING
- Only have your ears pierced by trained specialists or medical professionals.
- Clarify in advance whether you or your family have allergies (e.g. nickel, house dust, medicines, or disinfectants).
- Do you take medicine? Are you antibiotic-resistant? If necessary, ask your doctor.
- Find out beforehand about any regulations on wearing earrings in your school, sports club, or similar.
- Think carefully in advance about where you want your ear piercing to be.
- Make sure the instrument uses sterile, single-use cartridges and uses manual pressure.
- Make sure that your earrings are anti-allergic, skin-friendly, and comply with the EU-Reach regulation.
- Follow the care instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
- Avoid contact of the wound with dirt, shampoo, or soap, and avoid swimming if possible.
- In the event of inflammation or other symptoms, please consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
- Let the wound heal completely.
- Later, choose follow-up earrings made of anti-allergic material.
