Ear piercing: Different piercing techniques

October 26 2018

Ear piercing can be used to showcase creativity and style your own way. It can be painful depending on the type you choose as well as the healing process can differ, but it's worth it.

Though there are some part of the world that frowned at the thought and sight of too many or different types of ear piercing due to some certain reasons and there are some who finds nothing wrong with it and infact accepts it as part of their culture or fashion. No matter the part you belong to, there are many different types of ear piercing to choose from which suits everyone irrespective of your beliefs.

EAR PIERCING TECHNIQUES

There are many methods and techniques of ear piercing ranging from "do it yourself" methods where household items are being used to medically sterile methods where specialized equipment are used.

"Do it yourself"/ Home method involves using ice as local anesthetic, needle as a puncture instrument, alcohol as disinfectant and a semi soft object such as bar of soap, potato as a push point. A gold stud or wire earring can be directly inserted in to the fresh piercing as the initial retaining device. Due to improper sterilization, home methods are risky and unsafe.

Ear piercing instruments, also known as ear piercing guns which were originally developed for physicians to use but is now available in retail settings. It is now used in accessory stores or at home. An ear piercing done with piercing instrument is often described as a pinch feeling or being snapped by rubber band or a sharp pain. This method of piercing, especially for cartilage piercings is not recommended by many physicians and piercing professionals, as it can take longer to heal and can cause blunt force trauma to the skins. The majority of ear piercing instruments are made of plastic, meaning that they can not be truly sterilized by use of an Autoclave thereby increasing chances of infection, lead to complications and also shatter the ear cartilage.

The use of a hollow piercing needle is another alternative method which is growing in practice. The earlobe is being disinfected with alcohol and then puts a mark on the lobe with pen to check wether the position of the piercing is okay or not. The piercer then uses a clamp with a flat ends. This device will support the skin during piercing. This piercing process consists of pushing the needle through the earlobe until it gets out in the other side. Then the piercer puts the jewel in the hollow needle and pushes the needle through until the jewel enters in to the lobe. The needle is removed and properly disposed. The jewel is attached to the lobe and the piercer disinfects the lobe again.

The healing time for an earlobe piercing done with an ear piercing instrument is six to eight weeks, after which the earrings can be changed. But there is some risk of the piercing closing if the hole is left open for an extended period of time. Piercing professionals recommends wearing earrings for at least six months and sometimes a full year in the newly pierced ear. Cartilage piercing usually require more healing time than earlobe piercing.