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Ear Piercing FAQ

Ear Piercing FAQ Drawing of an ear with each piercing area labeled

How soon can I change my jewelry?

The initial jewelry should be left in for the duration of the healing period, but you can change your jewelry as soon as it is healed. For earlobes, this means six to eight weeks; for cartilage, six to twelve months, minimum.

How soon can I leave the piercing empty?

For most, earlobe piercings tend to stay open (even without jewelry) after a year or more (but this is no hard, fast rule), while cartilage piercings can take considerably longer. A good rule of thumb: if you want to keep your piercing, keep something in it.

I saw a picture online of an ear with multiple cartilage piercings. Can I get that?

Looking through images in our galleries or other places online is a great way to get ideas, but ears can vary greatly from person-to-person, so something that works well online (or on your friend) may not work for you.

If there is a piercing configuration that appeals to you, bring in the picture and talk to one of our piercers. Even if you’re not suited for what you’re asking about, they can recommend something that will work for your particular ear.

I want to get cartilage piercings on both ears. Can I do them at the same time?

Due to the difficulty with healing, you will need to wait until all piercings on one ear a fully healed before we will do any new cartilage piercings on the other ear. Healing can take six months to a year, and you need one ear to sleep on, use to talk on the phone, etc. We can do multiple cartilage piercings on the same ear in the same sitting, but we will not do cartilage piercings in both ears at the same time.

I want to get my child’s ears pierced by you. Can you do it?

Yes! While Philadelphia regulations previously prohibited us from piercing clients under 16 years old, a new interpretation of the rules means we can now offer earlobe piercing services for minors who are 8 years or older. For more information, head to our Appointment page and ID Info & Policies.

Can I go swimming?

It is best to avoid swimming for the full duration of the healing period, however, with ear piercings, an easy solution is simply to keep your head out of the water. The risk to your piercing depends on where you’re swimming: saltwater and chlorine may be okay for your piercing, however, other bacteria in the water may be problematic; the water on a beach in the tropics is not the same at the water at the Jersey Shore; and you can never be sure how balanced the chemical levels are in anyone else’s pool—or what else may be in the water. Definitely avoid hot tubs, quarries, or lakes, as here the water quality is even more questionable. At a minimum, plan to avoid swimming for at least three months, and if you do swim during the healing process, the most important thing to do is to make sure that you clean your piercing afterward.

Do I need to turn my earrings while they’re healing?

No. There is the opinion still held by some that if you do not rotate your jewelry occasionally during healing that your skin will adhere to or “grow into” the post. This is not true. With implant-grade titanium and steel jewelry (and even glass) the surface is non-porous and will not adhere to skin. This is not to say that you won’t have some scabbing and dried lymph that adheres to your jewelry during healing. Just keep with your regular cleaning regimen and this will wash away naturally. As for twisting the jewelry: just leave it alone. If you’re not cleaning your piercing, keep your hands off it.

Why don’t you use piercing guns?

We’ve all seen the storefronts and kiosks advertising free ear piercings with the purchase of jewelry. You may think, “What’s wrong with a deal like that?” The problem is not in the price but the procedure, as these types of establishments use piercing guns.

So what’s wrong with ear piercing guns? While we won’t go into all the reasons you shouldn’t get pierced with a gun—the Association of Professional Piercers already has—here are the main ones:

  • Piercing guns cannot be effectively sterilized, and there are documented cases of disease transmission from piercing guns. (Download this Journal of the American Medical Association article.) Additionally, operators working at piercing kiosks are not trained in bloodborne pathogens or disease transmission. Ignorance of aseptic technique and a lack of basic knowledge further increase the risk.
  • Gun studs do not accommodate for the different thicknesses of ears and earlobes, and the studs can easily become embedded. Additionally, piercing studs are not usually made from implant-grade materials, and as a result, reactions to the jewelry are not uncommon, especially for those with a sensitivity to nickel.
  • Getting your ear cartilage pierced with a gun can be especially dangerous and carries a risk of permanent damage.

Here’s why you may want to consider us instead of your local mall:

  • We use single-use, disposable piercing needles and aseptic technique—the same as your dentist. Jewelry is sterilized prior to insertion, and any other implements used (forceps, etc.) are sterilized as well.
  • We use jewelry at a length selected specifically for you, made of material proven to be safe for the body. The posts we use for initial ear piercings are either implant-certified titanium (Ti6Al4VELI) that is ASTM F-136 compliant or ISO 5832-3 compliant, or implant-grade steel that is ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant, and are considered safe for initial piercings by the Association of Professional Piercers.
  • Everyone on our staff is certified with bloodborne pathogens training by the National Safety Council, and all of our piercers meet—and exceed—training required for business membership in the Association of Professional Piercers.

Getting pierced with a gun is considerably cheaper, but you get what you pay for.

How long until I can start stretching?

You will want to wait until your piercings are healed before you begin stretching. For earlobes this is after about eight weeks; for ear cartilage, this means waiting until they are fully healed, which can be anywhere from six months to a year. For more information about stretching, check out the Stretching FAQ on our site.

If you already know you want to go big, it’s easier to get your ears pierced larger to begin with. (This is especially true of ear cartilage piercings, as they can be difficult to stretch.) To find out about different options for large-gauge piercings, come in and talk to one of our piercers in person.

Double forward helix piercings by Kellan
Triple forward helix piercings by John
Tragus piercing by Andru
Industrial piercing by John
Antitragus piercing by Andru
Earlobe piercings by John
Double forward helix piercings by Robert
Double tragus piercings by Andru
Outer helix piercing by Andru
Double forward helix piercings by Kellan
Outer helix piercing by John
Outer helix piercings by Zach
Conch piercing by John
Outer helix and conch piercings by Andru
Earlobe piercing by John
Conch piercing by John

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Zach Fitzgerald
Amelia Hancock
Ursula Thomson
Charlie Borelli
Hal Marie
Khyla Corbin
Cicada Silva
Jessica Rae
Maddie Akers
Ariana Flores
James Weber

Book a Piercing in Philadelphia

Book an Appointment to schedule a time to visit our studio. Check out Before Coming In for information on our new protocol for studio visits.

Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Retail space and piercing rooms are accessible.

Book Appointment

Jewelry for Earlobe Piercings

  • Monarch Hoop Earrings from Tawapa detail
    Monarch Hoop Earrings from Tawapa in silver plated brass
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    Monarch Hoop Earrings from Tawapa

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    A tapered mandala mimics the wings of a butterfly with artfully placed pockets of negative space and subtly showcases Tawapa’s logo at its center. ...

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  • Shofar Weights from Tawapa in brass
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    Shofar Weights from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    Sleek 6g horns of polished brass spiral forward, revealing a contrasting matte interior. Each piece measures approximately 1 1/4" long and weighs 9...

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    $140.00
    $140.00 - $140.00
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  • Scorpion Weights from Tawapa white brass detail
    Scorpion Weights from Tawapa in white brass
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    Scorpion Weights from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    A gleaming segmented scorpion designed to dangle gracefully from the lobe by its coiled 4g tail. Each piece measures approximately 2 1/2" long and ...

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    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
  • Heart Chain Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry detail
    Heart Chain Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry in white brass
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    Heart Chain Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Interlocking hearts cascade from a single hinged link. The perfect combination of tough and sweet. Each piece measures approximately 2 1/4” long an...

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    $180.00 - $180.00
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    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
  • Stabby Joe Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry in white brass
    Stabby Joe Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry in various materials
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    Stabby Joe Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Bold barbed wire hoops take an edgy approach to a classic design. Each piece measures approximately 2” long and weighs 28 grams. Clasp measures 8g.

    $180.00 - $180.00
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    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
  • Hammered Chainlink Clicker Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry in yellow brass
    Hammered Chainlink Clicker Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry in various materials
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    Hammered Chainlink Clicker Weights from Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Symmetry Body Jewelry

    Subtly detailed chains ending in spherical charms form a gentle point below a hammered hoop. A hinged clicker mechanism makes for easy insertion an...

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    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
    $180.00 - $180.00
    $180.00
  • Chained Hammered Clicker Cuffs from Symmetry Body Jewelry in yellow gold plated brass
    Chained Hammered Clicker Cuffs from Symmetry Body Jewelry in various materials
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    Chained Hammered Clicker Cuffs from Symmetry Body Jewelry

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    Variegated lengths of rolo chain dangle from a classic hinged cuff with a smooth inner wearable surface and luminous hammered finish. Small cuffs m...

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  • Bezel Spear Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in clear cz short
    Bezel Spear Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in various sizes
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    $40.00 - $50.00
    $40.00 - $50.00
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    Bezel Spear Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    A length of box chain connects a 3mm bezel-set stone to a high-polish 4mm spike charm below, all made of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V E...

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    $40.00 - $50.00
    $40.00 - $50.00
    $40.00 - $50.00
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  • Double Bezel Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal size comparison
    Double Bezel Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in various sizes
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    Double Bezel Dangle Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    A 3mm bezel-set stone charm suspended by a length of cable chain from a 4mm bezel-set stone, all made of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V E...

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    $45.00 - $50.00
    $45.00 - $50.00
    $45.00 - $50.00
    $45.00
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    X Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    A flat high-polished “x” made of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI). Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorative en...

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    $20.00 - $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
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  • Chevron Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in high polish size comparison
    Chevron Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in various sizes
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    Chevron Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    A subtly faceted chevron design made of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI). Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decora...

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    $20.00 - $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
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  • Spline Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal high polish size comparison
    Spline Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in various sizes
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    Spline Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    Radial facets of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI) elevate a classic disk. Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decora...

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    $20.00 - $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
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  • Lightning Bolt Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal in high polish
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    Lightning Bolt Press-fit End in Titanium from NeoMetal

    NeoMetal

    A low profile lightning bolt made of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI). Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorativ...

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    $20.00 - $20.00
    $20.00
    $20.00 - $20.00
    $20.00
  • Chain Link Clicker in Titanium from Tawapa in gold bonded titanium
    Chain Link Clicker in Titanium from Tawapa in various materials
    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00

    Chain Link Clicker in Titanium from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    A design both classic and tough featuring interlocking links of rigid cable chain. The single-snap hinged closure allows for easy opening and closi...

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    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00 - $130.00
    $125.00
  • Moon Press-fit End in Titanium from Tawapa in high polish
    Moon Press-fit End in Titanium from Tawapa in a group
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    Moon Press-fit End in Titanium from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    Graduating sizes of implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) beads taper outward in the shape of a crescent moon. Measures approximately 5mm across. Pre...

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    $50.00 - $50.00
    $50.00
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