Did you know that more than 80% of people in the United States have their earlobes pierced? 

Ear piercings are a great way to show off your personality and they can also have health benefits associated with them.

If you are wanting to pierce your ears, you can do so yourself in a couple of easy steps. 

Continue reading to discover how to pierce your ears like a professional and avoid infection! 

Pick Out Your Type of Piercing 

When learning how to pierce your ears, you must know which spot you want to be done.

The most common ear piercings are typically the lobe, upper lobe, and auricle. If you want the top of your ears to be pierced, you can also consider the helix options, industrial, or forward helix. Some people choose to get piercings in certain locations because it can help reduce migraines due to pressure points.

Take a look at an ear-piercing guide to determine which spot you want to pierce. The most simple choices to do yourself are the lobe because the skin is softer and not filled with cartilage. 

Gather Your Materials

Piercing your ears will require a few materials, but you shouldn’t have to worry about spending a lot of money.

You will want to have rubbing alcohol in the room along with a clean sponge or cloth. You should also get a fine-tip pen or marker to help mark the spot that you want to be pierced. Salt, water, and q-tips are also recommended when making the piercing. 

The only thing that you might have to special order or buy in advance is the piercing needles, which should be sterilized before using them. Some people recommend getting an ear piercing gun to make the process easier for first-timers.  

If you aren’t sure what you are doing, it can be a good idea to have your phone or computer nearby. This way, you can pull up a tutorial video on what to do if you have any questions or concerns. 

Pick Out Your Studs & Earrings

Finding the best earrings can be a challenge because there are so many options to consider. 

When looking for good earrings, make sure you know what types of metal react and don’t react poorly to your skin. You will also want to think about the size and design of them. When your ears are first pierced, it is recommended that you get studs because they are the most comfortable and easiest to clean. 

If you want unique and weird earrings to show off your personality, there are many options to pick from. Unique options will help you make a statement and stand out with bright colors and designs. Styling earrings are another popular option, however, be sure to check that you aren’t allergic to the metals that they use. 

Once your ear piercing starts healing, you will be able to wear hoops and exotic earrings that are more playful. 

Prep the Area

Not only will you need to prep the area you are about to pierce, but you should also prep the room.

You should do your piercing in a clean bathroom that has a mirror and plenty of counter space. Make sure that the lighting in the room is also strong enough to see everything that you are doing.

To prep your ear for the piercing, you should soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and disinfect the spot. You will also need to sterilize the earring and needles that will be going through your ear with rubbing alcohol or a saline mixture. 

It is a good idea to keep cotton balls, a towel, and saline rinses nearby in case your piercing doesn’t go well. Many people assume that you should ice your ear before piecing to numb the pain. This, however, is not a good idea because you won’t be able to feel the positioning and could make a mistake. 

Have Someone Nearby

If you don’t have any experience piercing your ears, it can be beneficial to have someone else with you.

Having an extra hand is a good idea because it can help ensure that you aren’t missing any steps. They can help make sure that the piercing is straight and assist with cleaning it up. Another reason you should have someone in the room is in case of an emergency. If you make a mistake and hurt yourself, they will be close by to help take care of you and get you what you need. 

When you go to put the needle through, make sure that the room is quiet so that you don’t get distracted. 

Make the Piercing

Now that you have fully prepared yourself for the piercing, it is time to commit and put the earring in.

This is the scariest part of the process but it should go by quickly if done correctly. Mark the spot you want to be pierced with the pen or marker and make sure that it is in a good location. With the sterilized needle, you will put it through the marked spot.

Many people recommend putting a sponge behind the piercing location so that it absorbs the needle once it breaks through your skin. Try to push the needle quickly once it goes all the way through in a slight twisted movement. Immediately after the needle goes through, insert the sterilized earring.  

Clean-Up & Maintain the Area

After you have put in the new earrings, you will need to clean up the area with a saline solution.

If done correctly, there shouldn’t be much blood or mess to clean up. For the first couple of days, try to avoid sleeping on your new piercing, as it can irritate the area and cause infection. You will want to clean your piercing multiple times a day with a saline rinse while the wound is healing.

It can help to gently twist the earring so that when you go to change your studs, your skin doesn’t get stuck to the metal. Wait at least 6 weeks before swapping out your earrings. 

Learn How to Pierce Your Ears Today

When it comes to learning how to pierce your ears, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Ear piercings are fairly simple to do, but you must know which area you are piercing and prep it. It is also a good idea to have someone nearby in case things go wrong and you need an extra hand. After you have gotten the earring in your ear, make sure that you clean it thoroughly to avoid infection.

You will need to monitor the piercing for the first few weeks to ensure that you don’t have any negative reactions or allergies. 

Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about piercing your ears and how to show your personality with jewelry!