What’s the best place to get your ears pierced?

Written By Allie Perry February 7, 2025

Why You Should Avoid Piercing Guns

The first time I got my ears pierced, I was sitting at the jewelry counter at Caldor, right next to the shoe section. Some employee sat me down, wiped my earlobes with alcohol swabs, picked up the piercing gun from behind the counter, and squeezed the trigger.  Two white-hot clicks later, my ears were pierced with those little yellow studs that were round in the front and flat on the back. Easy peasy, trigger squeezy. But the use of piercing guns can pose serious risks. 

• Blunt Force Trauma: Piercing guns force a stud through your ear with significant pressure, which can cause more tissue damage than a needle. This trauma can result in increased swelling, torn tissure, or shattered cartilage.
• Risk of Infection: Guns are impossible to sterilize properly and can harbor bacteria, increasing the likelihood of infection.
• Inaccurate Placement: Gun piercings are often done quickly, leading to imprecise placement that may result in asymmetry or discomfort.
• Increased Healing Time: The trauma from a gun piercing can prolong healing and increase the chance of complications, such as keloids or scarring.

As if those reasons weren’t enough, piercing guns frequently jam mid-piercing, requiring them to be wrestled from your ear and reloaded before starting the process again.

The Safety and Expertise of Piercing and Tattoo Parlors

Piercing and tattoo parlors operate under strict hygiene and safety regulations meant to keep you safe. Professional piercers in these establishments are trained in proper sterilization techniques, needle use, and anatomy. They follow stringent safety measures, including:

• Using single-use, sterile needles instead of piercing guns
• Wearing gloves and using disposable tools to prevent cross-contamination
• Properly disinfecting the piercing area before and after the procedure
• Evaluating your anatomy and selecting the proper hardware and technique so your piercing has the best opportunity to heal correctly.
• Offering detailed aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.

How Do I Find a Licensed Piercer?

Easy. Go to safepiercing.org and use their “Find A Piercer” function. You’ll enter your address, choose how far you’re winning to travel, and be presented with a list of qualified members of the Association of Professional Piercers.

Best Practices for a Safe and Successful Piercing

Once you’ve chosen a reputable piercer to add holes to your body, DO WHAT THEY TELL YOU regarding care and maintenance. Here are some general rules of thumb:

Don’t:

❌ Twist or rotate your jewelry; I know, lots of us were told to twist our piercings when we first got them, but this can delay healing and introduce bacteria.
❌ Submerge your piercing in pools, hot tubs, or lakes where bacteria can thrive.
❌ Change your earrings too soon; wait until your piercer confirms it’s safe.
❌ Use harsh chemicals like alcohol or ointments that can clog the piercing.
❌ Ignore signs of infection, such as excessive swelling, redness, or pus—seek professional advice if needed.

Do:

✔️ Clean your piercing with a saline solution or a sterile wound wash (avoid alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can be too harsh).
✔️ Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Touching your new piercing with dirty fingers is a recipe for infection.
✔️ Sleep on a clean pillowcase and avoid putting pressure on your new piercing.
✔️ Stick with high-quality, hypoallergenic jewelry to prevent allergic reactions. You can always opt for a style you like better once the piercing is healed.
✔️ Be patient—ear piercings can take several months to fully heal, and healing time will vary depending on the body part you pierce.

Most importantly, listen to the instructions provided by your piercer and follow them carefully.

The Best Metals for New Piercings

Choosing the right metal is crucial for reducing irritation and ensuring a successful healing process. Here are the safest options:

• Titanium: Hypoallergenic, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant, titanium is one of the best choices for new piercings.
• Implant-Grade Stainless Steel: A widely used option in professional piercings, but some people with nickel sensitivities should avoid it.
• Niobium: Another hypoallergenic option that’s safe for sensitive skin.
• Solid 14k or 18k Gold: High-quality gold is safe, but avoid gold-plated jewelry, as the coating can wear off and expose your skin to irritants.

If you remember only one thing from this article, let it be this- when it comes to ear piercings, safety should always be the priority. Tattoo and piercing parlors provide a professional, sterile environment with trained experts who use safe techniques- mall stores and kiosks don’t. And since you want your piercing to look awesome on the first try, and not all inflamed, gooey, and gross, use this information to make an informed decision on how to get an amazing-looking piercing and stay safe doing it!

And when that new piercing heals, come check out the handmade earrings I have on  allieperrydesigns.com.