Ear piercing is an ancient part of the culture of human society, which originated several thousand years ago, but has not lost its relevance to this day. Thanks to archaeological finds, it was possible to establish that the fashion for ear piercing arose long before the beginning of our era. All known piercing techniques were formed in parallel in societies that had no contact with each other, so today we have a huge variety of these techniques and the ability to choose the most suitable type of ear piercing in each individual case.
Ancient tradition
The popularity of piercing has long been evidenced by numerous remains discovered by archaeologists. Ötzi's mummy was found in Austria, which is already 5,300 years old. Earrings are mentioned in the Bible. Representatives of different nationalities had the peculiarity of highlighting their appearance with fascinating piercings. This indicated prosperity, wealth and noble status.
The fashion for this type of distinguishing from others arose due to the simplicity of the procedure - the ears healed quickly, and the jewelry was visible from a long distance. Earrings assigned a person to a certain class and fully informed about him:
- Origin.
- The importance of pedigree.
- Conquests during campaigns.
- Position in society.
- Class.
- Age.
In Rus' it was believed that jewelry warded off enemies and evil spirits.
Contraindications
There are a number of features that do not allow ear cartilage piercing - primarily to protect against complex and dangerous consequences.
First of all, you cannot perform the puncture yourself, anywhere; it is dangerous to trust the procedure to just anyone - the process can have irreparable consequences if something is done incorrectly. Contact the professionals!
Before the procedure, the master pays attention to the anatomical and physiological features of the client’s ear. Sterile operating conditions are extremely important.
In some cases, a professional, a licensed master, will refuse to carry out the procedure. Grounds for refusal:
- Any blood disease;
- Pregnancy;
- The client has not reached the age of majority;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- The client has diabetes;
- Rheumatism, arthritis;
- The client came in sick (flu, ARVI).
Part of the culture of human society
The custom arose at the birth of civilization, but remains relevant to this day. Since it was formed in each culture separately, regardless of the inclinations of each nation and the absence of any communication between people, there is a huge variety of techniques. Each girl and even a child chooses for themselves from the point of view of what seems most attractive and comfortable.
In Greece they wore pendants that looked like sacred birds; in Rome they were created from special molds and subsequently decorated with precious stones. The decline in fashion in Europe occurred in the 4th century. and lasted until the 16th century, when hairstyles and wardrobe items that covered the ears appeared. After this, piercing returned as a type of jewelry for men.
At the same time, people begin to believe that ear piercing improves vision, which is why sailors wore earrings. There was a belief that after death, it would be possible to identify a person by the body, and by selling the jewelry, they could get money for the funeral, as required by Christian custom.
Re-popularity declined in the 1930s. after the invention of clip-on clips, the fashion for which was extreme. By this time, the male part of the population refused to wear earrings. In modern times, the trend of using piercings returned after the war, when the female gender again began to pierce their ears.
Girls performed this procedure on their own at parties using a needle and ice as a freezing agent. Since then, many names have remained in use and are used to this day.
What to think about before going to the salon
Consider the visibility of the earring!
Earrings on the ears and face are very noticeable, and therefore can cause some problems at school or at work for some of our readers. If you are seriously thinking about getting a piercing, you need to be sure that you won't have to remove it every day when you get to school or work - then it will be a real pain!
Temporary rings
You can safely carefully attach temporary rings to the place where you want to place your jewelry, which will give you the opportunity to get used to its feel and new tactile sense.
If you can't get such temporary rings, you can simply use small pearls with a sticky sticker or small plastic and stick it to your face with non-toxic white glue. It may seem silly, but you can look at your own reflection in the mirror from different angles and determine if the piece of jewelry is right for you!
Wear temporary decorations in public if you wish. Ask other people's opinions. Still looking at yourself in the mirror throughout the day in different lighting conditions can cause you to lose subjectivity and truly judge the situation.
If, at the end of the day, you still have any doubts about the place where you want to get the piercing, repeat this action again after 2-3 days.
Take a photo of yourself!
Take a photo of the earring from the front and from different angles. Consider what it might look like from someone else's point of view. Share the photo with friends and colleagues to see what they think. Make sure your entire face and head are well lit in the image.
Or even try uploading your photo to some image editor. This could be Paint, for example, or you could also use an advanced editor like Photoshop or an online editor like pixlr.com.
Try placing a black dot (or a sketch of a ring or other jewelry) on your face, or anywhere you choose for a future piercing. This will give you an interesting starting point as you will now see how much your appearance has changed. This is a useful and visual experiment that will dispel all your doubts.
Remember the imperfections of your face
You already know that you want to have a piercing, you know that a facial piercing will draw attention to itself, and also distract attention from the parts of your face and its imperfections that you want to hide.
Earrings on the body can also divert your attention from parts of the body that you are not happy with. Piercings can also enhance the focus on certain features of the face, such as the eyes, nose or chin. Therefore, the key point is to choose the right size and shape of the decoration!
For example, a dull or squat nose can simply be pierced to beautify the nostrils. Don't like the shape of your forehead? Try adding piercings or focusing attention on some other areas of the face, for example, by piercing your lip.
Sleep on it!
The question of where to get a piercing is not as simple as it seems! Don't make any decisions suddenly or easily! Take a few days or weeks to think about it from A to Z. Try using temporary earrings to make sure you like the way you look with them.
It is recommended to sleep for several nights while wearing temporary earrings in place of the intended piercing. Also, think about how much work it will take to keep the pierced area clean and hygienic. Make sure you really want it! After all, body piercing is a definite sacrifice on your part!
Talk to a specialist at a piercing salon
Consult an experienced professional, you will find it in piercing shops and tattoo parlors. The best person to discuss any questions or concerns is a certified and experienced piercer.
Certified piercers must participate in an internship program for at least a year and undergo regular blood tests—you don't want to get infected, right? When you get your belly button, lip or ear pierced, make sure you get it done by a professional!
Conversation with parents and consent to piercing
Talk to your parents if necessary. You may need to get your parents' consent before piercing any part of your body they are familiar with. You must be at least 18 years old to get a piercing without parental consent.
So, you've made your decision! Now we can talk about the features and nuances of localizations.
One day I woke up and wanted to change my appearance. And I said, “Okay, what are you going to do about it?” I said, “I'm going to lose 30 pounds, I'm going to get a little liposuction, and I'm going to get a Monroe piercing, and I'm going to cut my hair. I’m going to go completely wild.”
Sisi Peniston
Varieties
The main method in the classic version is earlobe piercing. It is used by both women and men. This technique is ideal even for little ones, and for boys there is a piercing in one ear. Often a double or triple puncture is performed, but no more due to cartilage interference.
The current trend is using a pistol. The technique has proven positive due to its speed and lack of pain. The products look great:
- Carnations.
- Hoops.
- Labrets.
The method also gained wide popularity among the stronger sex. The selection of men's earrings is truly huge.
How long does it take for ears to heal after a piercing?
The rate of tissue healing varies greatly between adults and children. We will look at how much tissue regeneration occurs after piercing in young people after 17:
| Type | Time (weeks) |
| Earlobe | 2–4 |
| Helix | 8–10 |
| Anti-helix, upper helix | 6–8 |
| Daith | Up to 12 |
| Industrial | 8–10 |
| Tragus, tragus, antitragus | 6–12 |
At the same time, if you remove the earring, the ear will heal much faster. For example, an unsuccessful lobe piercing will be invisible 2 months after removing the jewelry, and a cartilage piercing will be invisible after 3 months.
Piercing at the top of the ear
Follows after the classic one. Divided into 2 types of puncture:
- Helix - cartilage in the curl of the shell. It is not performed with a gun, it is absolutely not sensitive due to the lack of nerve endings in the cartilage tissue. The jewelry is selected before piercing because its diameter cannot be changed later due to the fact that the holes in the cartilage do not stretch.
- Forward Helix - antihelix of the auricle. If there is space, it is possible to make several piercings for different jewelry to be worn at the same time. The procedure, performed only with a needle, does not cause pain at all.
Industrial
Extreme type with double puncture at the upper edge of the cartilage. The holes are connected by a so-called rod. Occurs in men and women. The session is performed without a gun due to fear of infection.
Tragus
Not available to all clients due to the different anatomical structure of the auricle. Requires enormous professionalism of the master to prevent unwanted consequences.
Antitragus
On the contrary, the tragus is slightly higher than the earlobe. The operation is considered easy because it is performed in a convenient area. Not accessible to everyone due to lack of space.
Days
In the outer ear above the entrance to the auditory canal. The puncture is performed vertically. Earrings are selected in the form of a circular ring or clinker. Almost never used in Russia. The disadvantage is the inability to listen to music through headphones.
Snug
In other words, the antihelix is in the vertical direction of the middle of the antihelix cartilage. It is done under local anesthesia due to pain.
Conch
It is pierced inside the ear near the auditory opening. Manipulation is dangerous due to the risk of damage to blood vessels and nerves. A symmetrical ending is known on both ears. Suggests a labreta or voluminous hoop.
Arm or rook piercing
Angled piercing in the crease at the top of the ear. Hoop earrings look harmonious. It heals up to six months. Most suitable for men, it requires careful care after surgery.
Orbital
Attractive piercing with two piercings between the lobe and helix. They are connected by an earring - a horseshoe or a twister.
Tunnels
Refers to the earliest method, similar to the classical one. Stretching takes years, the lobe stretches up to 3 mm per month. When scalping, an incision is made to the desired tunnel size.
How to pierce with a needle
If medical services of this kind are not suitable, then ear piercing can be performed at home. To do this, you can purchase a special Studex gun, which is used in salons, or buy a catheter of a suitable size at the nearest pharmacy.
Catheters
As a standard, they come in 6, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 mm. Naturally, the size of the hole must correspond to the diameter of the decoration.
Piercing punches
Specialized piercing stores also sell professional needles. They are made from an alloy of steel and titanium. Like catheters, they are classified by size (1; 1.1; 1.2, etc.).
Drawing of types of ear piercings
How to perform ear cartilage puncture at home:
- A place is marked on the ear. To do this, you can use a regular alcohol-based felt-tip pen;
- It is very important to thoroughly clean your hands and ears. For disinfection purposes, you can use Chlorhexidine or pure alcohol. If you don’t have either one or the other at hand, then use vodka or other strong alcohol (more than 40%);
Ear piercing at home - The hole is made on the outside of the cartilage so that its location can be seen. The auricle is stretched and manipulation is performed. Blood may appear at the site of the hole - don’t worry, everything is normal, in the cartilage, like in other parts of the body, there are small vessels and capillaries. You just touched one of them;
- While the needle is in the ear, you need to insert an earring in its place. We recommend using a nail - it is easiest to install in a fresh hole. The hole is washed with “Chlorhexidine”, “Miramistin” or alcohol, the needle begins to be carefully pulled out of it, and the earring, on the contrary, is inserted;
Miramistin - To make the stud fit inside the puncture easier, you can apply any regenerating ointment to its tip.
The technique may vary depending on the type chosen, but in general, the system is the same. At first, ichor will appear around the earring - it must be washed off with Chlorhexidine all the time. Do not use peroxide under any circumstances, otherwise you will delay the healing process for many months.
Chlorhexidine
Earrings
The stores have a huge selection of different materials, so buying the ones you like is not difficult. The safest ones are made of gold, medical steel and titanium. They promote rapid healing without complications. Accessories are selected taking into account personal preferences and financial capabilities. For these purposes they serve:
- Barbell.
- Ring.
- Banana.
- Labret.
- Circular.
- Cry.
Less common: stud earrings, broaches, chandeliers and tassels.
Range
Freak Boutique offers high-quality and stylish earrings for ear cartilage piercing - made of steel, titanium, brass, with or without stones.
- Ring made of surgical steel with a minimalist cross - without unnecessary decoration or stones. The material is safe for humans, does not cause irritation, and is not subject to corrosion. Ring thickness – 1.6 mm.
Surgical or jewelry steel is popular in jewelry making because it is quite durable, hypoallergenic, relatively inexpensive, and hygienic. The surface has no pores, so harmful microbes can only be on the surface, and it can be easily disinfected. The necessary properties of the alloy are given by its components - nickel, molybdenum, chromium.
- Ring with a diameter of 8 mm made of black surgical steel with a flat insert. Easy to secure using a release mechanism.
- Ring with a release mechanism made of surgical steel. Thin – thickness 1.2 mm, diameter – 8 mm. The main feature is the presence of an insert with white opal. The stone shimmers with blue and pink highlights.
A similar option is a ring with an amethyst. On the miniature insert is a light purple stone. The diameter is slightly larger than the previous version - 1 cm.
- Titanium ring 1.2 mm thick for ear cartilage. The highlight is a rounded insert with an opal of a rich, bright blue color.
Titanium is considered the metal of the future, due to its properties, it is more often used for jewelry because it is: relatively inexpensive, durable, looks beautiful, lightweight, hypoallergenic.
- Ring made of surgical steel with a ball-shaped insert. Anodized metal gets an unusual look - the surface is multi-colored, iridescent. The diameter of the product is 1.1 cm.
A similar option - without a ball insert, a regular smooth titanium ring.
- Clicker ring made of high quality 925 sterling silver, expandable type. Recommended for the nose, but also suitable for the ear.
The labret is made of titanium – a durable, hypoallergenic metal. Suitable for punctures at different points of the ear cartilage. The main highlight is the decoration with opal stone (turquoise, pink, lilac-white, blue-green). The fixation labret is equipped with an internal thread.
Labrets made of jewelry or surgical steel without stones are an excellent option as a first piece of jewelry. Several size options available.
Circulars are often used for both the septum and the ears. This horseshoe model is made of surgical steel, in black color. At the ends there are cones-spikes.
Industrial bars are one of the most spectacular decorations, especially for punk and cyberpunk styles. A wide selection of bar inserts are available, which serve as decoration: with symbols, with stone inserts, with a chain. There are also removable barbell decorations.
Healing time
Several factors influence:
- Localization.
- Number of simultaneous punctures.
- Season.
- Features of care.
- The state of immunity and the absence of diseases of the endocrine system.
- Master's qualification.
Needle puncture holes are safer than gun wounds. The epidermal tissues tighten from 3 months to six months. The wound must be properly monitored to avoid infection.
Care instructions
The specialist’s recommendations will help prevent infection from entering the wound. You need to adhere to the following tips:
- Rinse in the morning and evening with an antiseptic composition on a cotton swab - miramistine or chlorhexidine.
- Leaving a crust at the puncture site.
- Do not pull or turn the jewelry until the hole is fully tightened.
At the slightest deviation from the norm, you should immediately consult a specialist.
If your ear hurts or festeres after a piercing
After ear piercing there can be different consequences. Immediately after the piercing, swelling will begin. There is no need to remove it - with normal healing it will go away the next day. If this does not happen, and the ear is completely swollen, then suppuration of the lobes or cartilage begins.
Ear piercing inflammation
Tips on what to do if your ear festers:
- The piercing site must be thoroughly treated with an antiseptic. Miramistin is ideal;
- To prevent lumps from forming at the ear piercing site in the future, you need to lightly knead the tissue every day. If numerous granulomas have already appeared, only professional treatment will help;
- It is strictly forbidden to sleep on the side of the punctures. This contributes to poor circulation;
- If a lump has formed there that hurts or itches, it’s a granuloma. It is a “skin bag” containing pus inside. The most important thing is to remove the purulent fluid. Ichthyol ointment, onion gruel, aloe leaves will help with this;
Ear inflammation after piercing - Any of the selected products is applied as a compress to the affected area for several hours. After 2–3 hours, remove the compress and replace it with a new one. After the second time, you need to rinse the hole with hydrogen peroxide; in most cases, this is enough for the pus to begin to come out;
- If the ball is too large, then it is optimal to squeeze out the pus manually. To do this, take a cotton pad and moisten it generously with any available antiseptic. Just below the puncture site, begin to apply light pressure on the lump. Pus will come out of the hole. As soon as this happens, press a little harder. To finally get rid of the granuloma, apply a compress with ichthyol ointment to the piercing site.
In addition, even despite proper care and careful handling of the puncture, the body may begin to reject the earring. During the process, the temperature may rise, the ear will become very sore, and pus may even be discharged. You can try installing an earring made of noble metal or a ring (this will make it easier to wash). If this does not help, you will have to remove the jewelry.
Expenses
The price is not fixed, it depends on a number of circumstances - the place of manipulation, the reputation of the master, the type of piercing. Any Russian can afford an inexpensive operation.
The “photo” section on the website presents all kinds of piercing samples, where you can choose the idea you like. One should proceed from the localization and compatibility of different techniques. It is safest to go to large medical centers or beauty salons, where specialists will tell you about all the nuances and help you make the right decision.
System 75 for ear piercing
If you don’t want to bother with catheters or needles, we recommend purchasing a special system for piercing from the company Stadex - System-75. It is often used in beauty salons for simple piercings of the nose, ear and lip. If you need equipment for more complex piercings, such as septum or tongue, then it is better to choose a professional set of tools.
In addition to the System 75, Caflon Clinic devices are actively used by home piercers.
