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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

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    Claw-set Opal Threaded End in Titanium from People’s Jewelry

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    Textured Paper Clip Chain in Gold from Hialeah

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    A series of flattened, elongated links form a dynamic solid gold chain.  Size refers to the thickest post these will fit. Each end of the chain is ...

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  • Natural Obsidian Spike Charm in 14k White Gold from Hialeah
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    Natural Obsidian Spike Charm in Gold from Hialeah

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  • Bezel-set Tiny Charm with Chain in 14k White Gold with Diamond from Modern Mood
    Bezel-set Tiny Charm with Chain in Gold from Modern Mood in assorted materials
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    Bezel-set Tiny Charm with Chain in Gold from Modern Mood

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    A 2mm genuine stone embraced by an open-back bezel setting suspended from a lively strand of cable chain. Measures approximately 10mm long includin...

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  • Pyramid Disk Press-fit End in 14k Yellow Gold 3mm from Modern Mood side profile
    Pyramid Disk Press-fit End in 14k Yellow Gold 3mm from Modern Mood
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    Pyramid Disk Press-fit End in Gold from Modern Mood

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    A high-polished disk enhanced by a riveting surface texture of miniature spikes. Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorative e...

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  • Leia Press-fit End in 14k White Gold with Moonstone & Diamond from Modern Mood
    Leia Press-fit End in Gold from Modern Mood in assorted materials
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    Leia Press-fit End in Gold from Modern Mood

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    A prominent 2.5mm prong-set genuine stone accompanied by a lively trio of complimentary stones. Measures approximately 3mm by 4mm.Press-fit jewelry...

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  • Cry Baby Charm in 14k Yellow Gold with Clear CZ from Ember Body Jewelry
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    Cry Baby Charm in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A trio of 3mm round-cut gemstones cascade from a scintillating flat cable chain for added movement and shine. Measures approximately 20mm long incl...

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  • Good Times Press-fit End in 14k White Gold with Clear CZ from Ember Body Jewelry
    Good Times Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry in assorted materials
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    Good Times Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A pair of 1.5mm gemstones rest on either side of a luminous, retro-inspired column. Measures 2mm by 5.5mm.Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate...

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  • Lumen Press-fit End in 14k White Gold with Clear CZ from Ember Body Jewelry
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    Lumen Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A winding bar embellished with three 1.5mm prong-set stones. Measures 2.5mm by 10.5mm.Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorat...

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    Nova Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry in assorted materials
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    Nova Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A sandblasted dome cradled within an elegant twisted border. Measures approximately 4mm.Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decor...

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  • Tonic Press-fit End in 14k Yellow Gold with Blue Tourmaline from Ember Body Jewelry close-up detail
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    Tonic Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A pair of 2mm reverse-set genuine stones cradled within textured half bezel settings. A fluid design that embodies sophistication. Measures approxi...

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  • Solace Press-fit End in 14k Rose Gold from Ember Body Jewelry
    Solace Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry in assorted materials
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    Solace Press-fit End in Gold from Ember Body Jewelry

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    A trio of high-polished petals form a dynamic fan that draws the eye. Measures 3.5mm by 6mm.Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the d...

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    Spirals from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    Mesmerizing and classic. 6g measures approximately 1” across. 0g measures approximately 1 ½” across. 00g measures approximately 1 ½” across. 7/16”...

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    $22.00 - $52.00
    $22.00 - $52.00
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  • Flutter Press-fit End in 14k White Gold from Tawapa
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    Flutter Press-fit End in Gold from Tawapa

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    Tiny gold beads sprout forth from a recessed, textured disk in this charming design reminiscent of a dandelion. Measures 2.5mm across.Press-fit jew...

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  • Demi Arc from Tawapa in 8g Horn
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    Demi Arc from Tawapa

    Tawapa

    Stacked, curved bands form a simple yet dynamic design. 10g measures just over 1” in total length.

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