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Everything to know About Ear Piercing

Rajiv Saini

For a successful ear piercing, everything to know about ear piercing is very important. Ear piercing is a common form of body modification involving the creation of a hole in the earlobe for the purpose of wearing jewelry.

Ear piercing (puncture wound) requires a hygienic approach during the piercing procedure, preferably performed by a professional piercer.

Following the piercing, proper aftercare is crucial for optimal healing, involving the use of best quality aftercare products. In this article, we will understand everything to know about ear piercing :

The ear piercing procedure and its significance.

Ear piercing by safe and successful methods.

The importance of aftercare in promoting faster healing.

What makes saline based piercing aftercare products weak and slower in healing action?

Understanding the healing powers of fast acting, powerful Red Sea salt based piercing aftercare products.

Recommended method to clean new ear piercing.

How to manage crusting in ear piercing.

H2Ocean is the most trusted name in piercing aftercare products, ensuring a safe and smooth natural healing process.

What Is an Ear Piercing?

Ear piercing is a sort of body modification that involves making a hole in the earlobe or cartilage to allow for the insertion of earrings or other types of jewelry.

Ear piercings come in a variety of styles, each with its own distinct placement and appearance.

The most commonly pierced sites are earlobes and ear cartilage, followed by the nose, lips, eyebrows, and tongue.^[1]

What is the Purpose of Ear Piercing?

Societies have engaged in exotic decorative and ritual practices such as body piercing, scarification, and tattooing for centuries.^[2]

Ear piercing is a popular form of body alteration that people of all ages and cultures engage in.

Across cultures, ear piercing holds significant cultural and social importance, often practiced on infants soon after birth in some traditions.

Where and How To Get an Ear Piercing Done?

Scientific studies have found that body piercing is increasingly common in the United States, with a significant portion being performed by unlicensed and unregulated individuals.^[3]

Medical research and clinical studies confirm that complications from oral and facial piercing are common. Adopting hygienic measures during the piercing process could help prevent many of these issues.^[4]

A medical practitioner in an office or a professional piercer in a clean environment can perform ear piercings using disposable needles to ensure safe and convenient results.

Therefore, it is important to know everything about ear piercing.

Piercing Gun Vs Needle: Which is better for piercing?

Everything to know about ear piercing — **Piercing with Piercing Gun**

According to the Association of Professional Piercers, while piercing guns appear to be a quick, easy, and handy technique of creating ear piercings, the reusable ear piercing guns have significant downsides ^[5], which are described below:

Cross Contamination Infection

Reusable ear piercing guns increase the risk of cross-contamination.
Clients may come into contact with the blood and body fluids of previous clients.

Tissue Damage

Ear piercing studs used in guns are often dull, requiring excessive pressure.
This forceful method causes crush injuries, resulting in significant pain and swelling.

Misuse of Ear Piercing Gun

Some practitioners may go beyond piercing ear lobes, violating the piercing gun usage guideline by the manufacturers.
Piercing other body parts, such as cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, and tongues, by using a piercing gun meant for ear lobe piercing only is inappropriate, dangerous, and can lead to complications.

Choosing the right option for piercing will lead to successful healing outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to know everything about ear piercing.

Ear Piercing by Professional Piercers: Convenience with Safe Practice

Piercing done in sterilized settings by professional piercers using very fine needles (disposable, one time use) ensures a safe and hygienic experience for individuals seeking ear piercing.

The emphasis on hygienic piercing environment is very important, as it minimizes the risk of infections and complications associated with the ear piercing process. Everything to know about ear piercing is very important for a good ear piercing results.

Professional piercers follow strict hygiene protocols, employing disposable (one time use) piercing needles in a clean and hygienic environment.

The use of very fine needles adds an extra layer of precision to the procedure, reducing discomfort and promoting quicker healing.

Professional piercers prioritize client safety and comfort, offering a thorough consultation to determine the ideal placement and type of jewelry for each individual.

Proper Aftercare Is the Key: From Piercing to Healing

Using the Best Natural Piercing Aftercare Products

Everything to know about ear piercing, and using best piercing aftercare products is very important. The secret to successful ear piercing is to cleanse your ear piercings daily with the best aftercare products, such as H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray, which combines the healing powers of mineral enriched Red Sea salt (not saline table salt) with a powerful natural enzyme (lysozyme) found in the human immune system.

Do Not Settle for Slow Acting Regular Saline Based Piercing Aftercare Products

Piercing aftercare products made from sodium chloride (table salt) are usually weak, slow acting, and lack the mineral content when compared with H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products. H2Ocean piercing aftercare products are made from hand harvested, unrefined Red Sea salt that contains 82 trace minerals.

It is also important to understand that piercing aftercare products even made from United States Pharmacopeia (USP) grade sodium chloride are still weak because USP grade only ensures the quality (purity) of the ingredient, not its effectiveness.

Unlike other saline products that contain ordinary sodium chloride (table salt), which is heavily processed, bleached, and heated, H2Ocean piercing aftercare products are made from natural ingredients and enzymes. H2ocean products match the human body saline system, and create an optimal healing environment for ear piercing to heal faster without any complications.

Avoid Soap and Alcohol based Piercing Aftercare Products

Avoid using alcohol based soap with triclosan for piercing cleaning as it can hinder the healing process.

Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in some soaps, may disrupt the natural healing environment by disrupting the normal microbiome, drying skin, and causing irritation to the healing skin.

Avoid Oil based Piercing Aftercare Products

Oil based products, especially those containing heavy oils like petroleum, can clog the pores around the piercing site. This may hinder the skin’s ability to breathe and heal properly.

Oils can create a barrier that traps moisture and bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. This can attract dirt and impurities, posing further risks to the healing process.

H2Ocean Piercing Spray with Lysozyme helps to safely remove dried discharge and lymph secretions when used every 3-4 hours on your piercings and body modifications.

Avoid Home Based Saline Solution for Piercing Aftercare

The homemade table salt based saline rinse is very weak, slow acting, and creates a mess of mixing salt with water every time, where the concentration of salt in the water changes each and every time.

**Table Salt (Saline based) Piercing Aftercare Products**

Regular table salt that is chemically processed to high temperatures. It cannot stand anywhere when compared to natural, mineral enriched, and pH balanced H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare spray that is uniquely formulated with natural ingredients for excellent healing results.

How Painful Is an Ear Piercing?

Ear piercing is a relatively quick and painless process. Most ear piercings are hardly more than a minor pinch. Lobe piercings are often less painful than cartilage piercings.

Earlobe piercing may be painless because the fatty tissue in the earlobes has less nerves than the rest of the ears.

Using numbing creams containing lidocaine derivatives or applying an ice cube to the ear lobes before piercing can act as local anesthesia.

The cold from the ice cubes will temporarily numb the pain receptors in the area for the following few minutes.

Does Ear Piercing Cause Bleeding?

Ear piercings are similar to tiny puncture wounds in that they bleed shortly after the procedure. Therefore, it is very much important to know everything about ear piercing.

A needle has gone through skin and cartilage; therefore, some blood should be expected. Little bleeding is usual in the first few days following ear piercing, and it is part of the natural healing process.

The rate of acute complications concerning piercing depends crucially on the experience of the piercer, the hygiene regimens in place, and the behavior and the after piercing treatment by the customer.^[6]

It is critical to clean ear piercing on a regular basis with good aftercare products that allow the piercing to recover without infection or inflammation.

What Are the Different Styles and Types of Ear Piercings?

Everything to know about ear piercing, and types of ear piercing is very important. Ear piercing is basically categorized into two main types:

Ear Lobe Piercing

The most common type of ear piercing, a lobe piercing sits towards or on the lowest part of the earlobe and can be done on one or both ear lobes. An upper lobe piercing sits slightly higher up on the earlobe.

Cartilage Ear Piercing

These piercings are placed in the cartilage of the ear, which is the tougher, outer part of the ear. Some common types of cartilage piercings are mentioned below:

Tragus Ear Piercing

A tragus piercing is inserted into the small, round piece of cartilage that sits directly above the ear canal.

Anti Tragus Ear Piercing

An anti tragus piercing sits on a small part of the ear opposite the tragus and just above the lobe.

Helix Ear Piercing

A helix piercing sits at the uppermost outer rim of the ear.

Forward Helix Ear Piercing

The forward helix pierces through the side of the cartilage closest to the head and just above the tragus.

Industrial Ear Piercing

An industrial piercing involves two piercings, one on the helix on the outside of the ear and one on the part of the helix closest to the head, that is usually connected by a barbell.

Daith Ear Piercing

A daith piercing sits on the long, thin piece of cartilage just above the tragus that connects the outer ear to the conch on the inside of the ear.

Rook Ear Piercing

Rook piercings are placed vertically on the piece of cartilage in the upper inside of the ear.

Faux Rook Ear Piercing

A faux rook is placed just above where a normal rook would go. It sits towards the top inside of the ear, but is pierced through the large part of cartilage that creates the back of the ear.

Snug Ear Piercing

Snug piercings are placed on the fold of cartilage in the middle inside of the ear and across from the tragus.

Conch Ear Piercing

A conch piercing is inserted through the large area of cartilage that makes up the inside and back of the ear.

Orbital Ear Piercing

The placement of orbital piercings may vary but always involve a single piece of jewelry that goes through two piercings.

What to Expect After a New Ear Piercing?

After getting an ear piercing, a series of events takes place as part of the normal healing process. Hence, it is very important to know everything about ear piercing.

Significant research data in the medical science data confirms that rate of complications after performing piercings or tattoos depends on the experience of the artist, the hygiene techniques applied, and the postprocedural care by the customer.^[7]

Following Proper Aftercare Instructions

It is essential to follow proper aftercare instructions to not only minimize the chances of getting infection, but also accelerate the normal healing process.

Selecting High Quality Piercing Aftercare Products

Applying high quality piercing aftercare products significantly impacts the healing outcome of an ear piercing.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray, with the combination of Red Sea salt (not saline rinse) and lysozyme (natural enzyme found in human body) creates the optimal solution to reduce the healing time and help eliminate adverse issues that commonly arise when dealing with a new piercing.

Red Sea Salt (not regular saline solution), containing 82+ minerals, combined with lysozyme creates an optimal healing environment^[8], speeding up the recovery process and preventing potential complications associated with new piercings.

Wound healing is a dynamic biological process of human body and several different cell types are involved in the wound healing process.^[9]Creating an optimal mineral rich environment for these healing cells is crucial for the successful healing of ear piercings.

Immediate Reaction after Piercing

You may experience some pain, swelling, and redness immediately after the piercing. There might be a small amount of bleeding, and the pierced area may be tender.

First Few Days after Piercing

The initial discomfort, swelling, and redness should start to subside. You may notice clear or slightly yellowish fluid discharge, which is a normal part of the healing process. Crusting may form around the piercing, consisting of dried blood plasma, lymph secretions, and skin cells.

First Few Weeks after Piercing

The pain should continue to decrease, and the swelling should go down. The discharge may persist, but it should become less noticeable. It’s crucial to continue with proper aftercare instructions, including cleaning the piercing with sea salt based piercing aftercare products and avoiding unnecessary movement or rotation of the jewelry.

Healing Process (varies by piercing type) after Piercing

Lobe piercings generally take about 4-6 weeks to heal. Cartilage piercings may take several months to a year to fully heal. The regular use of sea salt based piercing aftercare products on a daily basis makes the whole healing process smooth and irritation free.

Fully Healed Piercings

Once the piercing is fully healed, you should experience no pain, swelling, or discharge. It is highly recommended to continue regularly using the sea salt based piercing aftercare products to keep the piercing clean and infection free without any complications. It is also beneficial to use Sea salt Healing Soak in conjunction with paper towels to soak new piercings.

Seeking Medical Advice after Piercing

If you experience any signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, pain, or unusual discharge), consult with your professional piercer or a healthcare professional.

How to Clean Ear Piercings?

Everything to know about ear piercing, and how to clean the ear piercing is very important. Cleaning your ear piercing is a crucial part of the aftercare routine to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of ear piercing infection.

Wash Your Hands

Before touching the piercing or the jewelry, wash your hands thoroughly with alcohol free soap and water.

H2Ocean Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) Foaming Hand Sanitizer is the best antimicrobial, antibacterial, alcohol free soap hand sanitizer that protects against bacteria and viruses.

H2Ocean hand sanitizing foam effectively and safely cleans hands while providing a pleasant non scented antibacterial protection for up to 4 hours.

Clinical research studies have also validated the antibacterial efficacy of hand sanitizer containing Benzalkonium Chloride, and most importantly, its application did not cause any skin irritation or redness.^[10]

Choosing High Quality Aftercare Products

It is extremely important to choose the best quality piercing aftercare products, as it makes a great difference in the healing outcomes.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray helps cleanse ear piercing safer and faster than any other product in the market.

H2Ocean natural sea salt based Piercing Aftercare Spray calms healing tissues and reduces pain and inflammation with fast healing results.

Cleanse the Piercing

Spray directly with H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray on piercing site and allow to air dry. Apply as needed to the affected areas. Recommended to use 3 to 6 times per day.

No Twist and Turn

Avoid rotating or twisting the jewelry excessively.^[11]

Healing Soak

H2Oc H2Ocean Sea Salt Healing Soak may also be used when needed for infections, keloids, and other chronic piercing irritations.

H2Ocean Sea Salt Healing Soak is an organic unrefined Red Sea salt with 82 trace minerals, essential to calm the healing tissue and aid your body’s healing process, unlike weak and slow acting regular saline solution (sodium chloride).

Dry and Clean

It is recommended to use H2Ocean Sea Salt Healing Soak in conjunction with disposable paper towels to soak new piercings. Do not use cotton swabs as fibers may get caught on the jewelry.

Avoid Alcohol Products

Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other harsh chemicals, as they can be irritating to the piercing healing tissue and delay the healing process.

The Association of Professional Piercers does not recommend using antibacterial soap as it may over dry and irritate the ear piercing.^[5]

However, antibacterial soaps, such as H2Ocean Body Piercing Foam Soap, does not contain alcohol, are safe for the skin, and do not irritate the normal healing process. It contains benzalkonium chloride (0.13%), aloe, and mineral enriched Red Sea salt that moisturizes the skin while disinfecting the piercing.

Seeking Medical Advice

If you notice continuous signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, persistent pain, or unusual discharge, or if you have concerns about the healing process, consult with your professional piercer or a healthcare professional.

What is Crusting, and How to Manage Crusting After an Ear Piercing?

Everything to know about ear piercing and crusting is very important.

Crusting in an ear piercing is a common occurrence during the initial stages of healing. It usually involves the formation of a crust or dried discharge around the pierced area. This is a natural part of the healing process and is often a combination of blood plasma, lymph secretions, and dead skin cells.

Steps for the management of Crusting

Cleaning the Piercing Area

Gently clean the piercing with a mineral rich H2Ocean Sea Salt Healing Soak. Use a paper towel to gently remove the crust, being careful not to disrupt the healing tissue.

This soak is a sterilized pre mix which makes it easy to get the right ratio of water and salt to make an isotonic solution that is gentle and effective for your soaks.

Do not use q tips (cotton swabs) to soak your new piercings because the fibers in q tips can get caught in your new piercing and cause irritation and infection.

Avoid Over-cleaning

While it’s important to keep the piercing clean, avoid excessive cleaning, as it can lead to irritation. Cleaning twice a day is generally sufficient.

Don’t Twist or Turn Jewelry

Avoid twisting or turning the jewelry excessively, as this can also contribute to irritation and disrupt the healing process. This can also cause dries crusties to cut into the arear around the new piercing due to their sharp edges.

Warm Compress

If the crusting is persistent, you can apply a warm, gentle compression to the piercing. This can help soften the crust, making it easier to clean.

Good Hygiene

Ensure good overall hygiene and avoid using any alcohol based anti bacterial soaps or liquids, as these products may irritate the skin and disturbs the healing process.

Consulting Medical Professional

If the crusting is accompanied by signs of persistent infection (such as increased redness, swelling, pain, or unusual discharge), it’s crucial to consult with your professional piercer or a healthcare professional.

Concluding Remarks

Everything to know about ear piercing is very important for a good ear piercing outcome.

Ear piercing is a widespread practice across various age groups and demographics.

Professional piercers conducting ear piercings in clean and hygienic settings, using fine, one time use needles, significantly reduce the risk of infection during the ear piercing procedure.

Proper aftercare is essential for achieving excellent healing results in ear piercings.

Conventional saline based piercing aftercare products, derived from chemically processed table salt (sodium chloride). Saline based aftercare products exhibit slower and weaker actions compared to H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products made from unrefined Red Sea salt containing 82 trace minerals and natural enzymes. It provides ideal healing environment for the body to heal faster without any pain, inflammation and piercing bumps.

H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products, endorsed by professional piercers and trusted by millions of customers. H2Ocean stand out as the most reliable in the market, ensuring fast and optimal healing results unmatched by any other piercing aftercare products.

References

Rajiv Saini

Rajiv is a Harvard Medical School graduate with extensive experience in healthcare and clinical research operations. He is highly proficient in executing scientific strategies with an emphasis on projecting research value proposition, also published 170+ research papers and 5 books, including "Fundamentals of Clinical Trial and Research”.