Ear piercing methods vary in safety and popularity

March 17, 2009 • written by Cassie Crosby

Hands on his ears, senior Sergio Reyes runs his fingers across his small gauges and his industrial bar.
“I had to choose between an industrial or an eyebrow piercing,” Reyes said. “The bar looked really cool, so I went with that.”

Although Moreau seems to have strict rules for piercings not located on the ears, students are beginning to push those limits. A few students have pierced up to a half a dozen holes on one ear. Sometimes the earrings are studs, sometimes they’re hoops or gauges, but the earring holes all started the same way: with a sharp instrument.

Among the many methods to pierce ears, two are the most popular: the at-home method of a sewing needle, or the piercing guns used in jewelry shops in malls across the nation.

The self-technique is difficult to completely sterilize, and can lead to infections or uneven piercings.
“I did all my piercings myself,” said senior Tom Wrona. “I have two, and even though I missed a few times, they’ve never gotten infected.”

Wrona went on to say he got the piercings he has – one gauge on each of his lobes – because they were easy to self-pierce. Piercing his own lip proved to be a problem, so Wrona has decided to wait and get it done professionally. Even piercings on ears can be dangerous when done alone, so body piercings are definitely best left to professionals.

Junior Lauren McCaffrey has eleven piercings in total, and she has a story for each of them.

“I pierced three of them myself,” she said, motioning towards her ears and pulling back her hair to offer a better view. “I got a few at Zebra, and Blackwing. But actually, the only ones that ever got infected were the ones from Claire’s. I don’t really trust them.”

For those who have not undergone the procedure, the piercing gun looks scary, but it is a relatively safe device. Infections can still result if the gun is used too hastily, but generally choosing this method is a good choice.

A third, lesser-known alternative are hollow needles, used mostly for body piercings in specialty shops. Most people find the hollow needle is by far preferable to heavy metal guns. These needles have the lowest risk of infection, and are actually almost painless when used correctly.

Reyes had some problems, even with the hollow needles.

“My industrial was pierced a little thinly,” said Reyes, “and it was ripped at Junior Prom. I had to wear a band-aid for at least a few weeks.”

Be warned: getting pierced comes with precautionary tales and risks, however small the hole may be. Infections and keloids (growths over the piercing site) are common, but can be easily avoided if the new holes are cared for properly. At the very least, actually use the solution the store provides. Try not to change the earring for about a month, and hands off! Your fingers may cause germs to wreak havoc on the new holes in your head.

The trend of ear piercings doesn’t seem to be abating anytime soon, but for those new to piercing, make sure to take care. Your ears are sensitive, and making holes in your body isn’t really a light matter.

Filed Under Health
Tagged:  

 Email This Story        Print This Story