Ear Piercing

I've been wanting to get my ears pierced for a while now, but that's not been allowed here since the start of lockdown and remains that way at the moment.

So, I did it myself.  I ordered a kit from Amazon (not one of the really cheap ones, although maybe they're ok).  It was very easy to do and no pain at all.
So, now I have 6 weeks to look for earrings to wear when I can take the piercing studs out 🙂

Isabel x

It seems that CVS uses a piercing gun. If that's the case, I wouldn't recommend them, especially during a pandemic. My understanding is that you're better off getting it done with a needle.

In either case, most ear piercing guns are made at least partially of plastic and cannot be sterilized to the same extent as other piercing equipment, leading to a greater risk of infection. Ear piercing guns are typically used in mall kiosks or cosmetic shops and are rarely found in tattoo and piercing studios

Some ear piercing gun operators have reported that the guns malfunction at times, requiring removal of the jewelry with pliers that are later used on other clients, creating a pathway for disease transmission.

In any piercing area, the posts of the jewelry used in ear piercing guns are often too short to accommodate the swelling that occurs after the procedure, pushing the stud up against the back of the ear. This occurrence can lead to cases of embedded earrings, increased pain, and infection. Jewelry that fits too closely to the skin prevents normal discharge from piercing sites to escape, creating a fluid barrier that traps bacteria against the skin (APP, 2018).

In professional piercing studios, any nondisposable equipment is autoclaved, a process that uses heat, steam,and pressure to sterilize all nondisposable piercing tools between each use, killing most pathogens. In contrast, ear piercing guns cannot be autoclaved as they are usually made from plastic. Instead, piercing guns are simply wiped down with disinfectant between each use. Wiping down the external surfaces rarely eliminates all the bacteria outside the gun and cannot kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. Blood from one client could easily contaminate another, leading to potential infection and transmission of diseases such as hepatitis or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which can live for extended periods of time on inanimate surfaces (CDC, 2008, 2018). Pathogens and disease can also be spread from client to technician, and from technician to client. Infection or injury are also likely to lengthen the healing time for piercings, which can already take months to completely heal. While ear lobe piercings typically heal in 6–8 weeks, cartilage and navel piercings can take anywhere between 6 months to a full year if no complications occur. Ear piercing guns need to be regulated with the same sterilization standards as all other piercing establishments to alleviate these issues.

Risk of infection is magnified by unsanitary workspaces that do not meet regulations or recommendations for general piercing studios. For any type of piercing, all surfaces should be nonporous and easily cleanable. These surfaces include floors, counters, chairs,and walls. Many ear piercing guns are used in unregulated procedures in mall stores or kiosks, which can emphasize comfort and appearance over cleanliness. In addition to limited separation from other areas of the store, ear piercing gun procedure areas might have pillows, sheets, or rugs. These surfaces are absorbent and could contain blood particles from multiple clients. A tuberculocidal disinfectant should also be used to regularly clean all surfaces. Lighting and washing is also important for hygienic workspaces. Body piercing and sterilization areas should all be adequately lit and contain hand sinks to facilitate proper hand washing practices.

https://www.neha.org/sites/default/files/publications/position-papers/NEHA_Policy_Statement_EarPiercingGuns__FINAL.pdf

Last week I did get my ears pierced at Clares in a local mall here.  Many of the malls here are less than half normal with many vacant store fronts, so when I went in there was only 1 other customer and very few passing by.

I got my piercing done when my X who was with me that she would pay for it.  After being stunned by her offer I was anxious to say yes.  Found out latter that her goal was to see if she could humiliate me.  Myself, I don't care -- my ears are pierced and I love it

Hi Isabel,

Congratulations on piercing your ears.  Enjoy the search fr your perfect pair of earrings.

Alice

Hi Sandy,

Congratulations on getting your ears pierced.  Enjoy shopping for new earrings.

Alice

Hi Claire,

Thanks for the warnings about piercing guns.

Alice

Wow. Was half thinking of having both ears pierced but after your detailed summary I think I will stick to my clip[ ons which have these days quite a good selection that are hard to tell from pierced rings. As a surprise my wife gets them for me from Clare's when she is shopping for herself and I think they are great.

I have my left ear pierced and wear a stud in it all the time. I've had it pierced for 30 years. I think its high time to get the right one done.

Hugs

Diane

Most places which do ear piercings use guns rather than needles and most people don't have an issue.  There is a lot of info out there promoting needles over guns as they are easily sterilised between uses (although please note that sterile does not equal clean!  sterile dirt is still dirt, a sterile toxin is still toxic...)
That said, any process which is not properly controlled and managed in a clean/sterile manner can result in issues.  Had I been able to go somewhere to get my ears pierced, I would have gone for a needle if I could, but would have gone for a gun if necessary. In either case, the people and condition of the the shop would have dictated whether I would use them. The biggest issue, I would suggest, is post piercing cleanliness, using the appropriate solutions at the correct intervals and managing any hint of infection/inflammation.

The kit I used myself had individually sterilised cartridges with the needle studs and caps held in place and those were the only parts which came into contact with my ears.  Yes, made of plastic - which can be easily sterilised (with Ethylene Oxide for example)  - but plastic can't be easily re-sterilised in, say, a shop.  There are bacteria everywhere - the aim is to prevent too many of the wrong ones getting into the wrong places!

Anything which pierces the skin carries a risk - it's up to an individual to assess that risk and decide what to do.

Isabel x
(and, yes, I have a bit of experience working with these pesky bug things...)

Hi Alice well girl have had both of mine pierced many years ago . so much fun looking for earrings  as so many kinds and styles  wife helped do one with clean ear and post earring  which was funny as it made a boss where i worked mad for what ever reason ?? I really didnt care for him any way so several days later wife was gone shopping so i decided to pierce other one to piss off boss even more and it worked lol he could not do anything about it anyhow  then game on on earrings so many i have now and share with wife except when she wants same as when Stephanie wants to wear them lol lol .

Stephanie Bass

I too did the Amazon self piercing kit... I think you get 8 kits with pre installed studs. I had my wide do them. A little ice on the ear first, no pain, The studs are out now and I can wear whatever I want. I cleaned them every morning & night with peroxide and there were no issues.

Best part of piercing is the wide selection now you have now and no worry of losing an earring. I love the feeling of large hoops and dangling earring when I dress up . Studs are great too when active like running or biking. You wont regret it sis

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for sharing your great earring story.  Did you took off your boss after piercing your second ear lobe?

Alice

Yes Alice it did and like i said he could not  do anything about it so funny thanks

Stephanie