If you are in school it is important to consider your school’s rules on body piercings. If they are not allowed, you might want to wait to get them pierced. [2] X Research source A good indicator of whether you are old enough to get your ears pierced is if you can take care of pierced ears.
The cost will range depending on where you go. If you go to a mall shop (like Claire’s) you will pay less than if you go to a piercing salon. A salon will likely be more sterile and have more jewelry to choose from. [4] X Research source The average cost of an earlobe piercing is between $20 and $55, depending on the jewelry. [5] X Research source
Sometimes you can expect swelling and redness after the piercing. These can cause irritation and pain if you touch your ears too much. [7] X Research source
If you get rashes or lesions on your ears, you might want to avoid piercing them. If you have an autoimmune disorder that can interrupt the healing process, you might want to avoid piercing them. If you have allergies to jewelry or metals, you might want to avoid piercing them.
Look over your school’s dress code. It’s probably in a handbook given to you at the beginning of the year regarding school rules. You can also ask a teacher or administrator at your school for a copy of your dress code if you cannot locate one. See if any types of piercings are prohibited by your school. If you have a part time job, ask your boss about the policy regarding piercings. If your place of employment bans certain types of ear piercings, it’s a bad idea to get your ears pierced in those fashions.
Pick a quiet setting to talk to your parents, like your living room after school. Make sure you choose a time free of outside constraints, like extracurriculars and work. Calmly explain to your parents why you want to get your ears pierced. Let them know you’ve looked into the cost and understand the recovery period. If your parents say, “No,” accept this for now. Complaining may frustrate your parents more. You may want to accept the answer and then ask for permission again in a few months or in a year. Your parents may be more willing to allow you to pierce your ears if you’re older.
You can get multiple holes in your ear lobe as well, allowing you to display many different earrings at once.
The rook is pierced through the fold of cartilage in your ear just above the opening to the ear hole. It is often pierced with a barbell or sometimes a stud. Industrial and orbital piercings are pierced through the outer, top cartilage of your ear. The industrial is usually one piercing using two holes. The orbital is usually more than one piercing side-by-side (small hoops or studs). The helix is pierced through the outer cartilage on the outside edge of your ear. There are a lot of different ways this piercing can be done. Some will have several holes using one piece of jewelry. Some have several pieces of jewelry side-by-side. The forward helix is pierced through the outer front cartilage of the ear. People will usually put a small hoop or stud in this piercing.
If you go to a mall shop, you will likely pay less. You may not get the same standards of sterilization that you will get at a piercing salon. Research options before making a decision. Make sure the place you go to has good reviews. If the procedure is not sterile you can risk infection. Do not be afraid to ask the piercer about their training and how long they have been piercing ears. Most of them are happy to provide this information. Some dermatologists and pediatricians will pierce ears for children. Ask yours if that is an option as well. [9] X Research source
The type of metal you get is important. You want to get implant grade stainless steel, gold, or titanium. These metals are hypoallergenic and will not irritate your skin while you are healing. [11] X Research source Make sure the end of the piercing post is small and has a fine point so it glides through the hole.
Keep the pierced earrings in your ears until your holes are healed. Only then can you change your earrings to another set of earrings. [13] X Research source Always wash your hands before touching or cleaning your piercing. Be sure to remove any dried crusted material that has accumulated around the piercing. [14] X Research source Apply mild soap or saline to the piercing with a cotton ball. Rinse and dry the area. Do this twice a day during the healing process. [15] X Research source If you have aftercare solution, you can use that instead of soap.
