Our first ear piercing guide is full of the essential information you need to know before getting your maiden stud or hoop. Although the prospect can be exciting it's natural to have a few questions. Our guide is here to make you feel ready before your piercing appointment. We also share tips to help you look after your new piercings so you can enjoy adorning them with all sorts of beautiful jewellery well into the future.

Table of Contents:

• Choosing Your First Ear Piercing
• Types of Piercing
• Do Ear Piercings Hurt?
• Where Can I Get My Ears Pierced?
• How Much Does an Ear Piercing Cost?
• What to Expect at Your First Ear Piercing Appointment
• How to Prepare for Your First Ear Piercing
• How Long Does it Take for An Ear Piercing to Heal?
• How to Care for Your First Ear Piercing
• Types of Earrings for Your First Piercing

Choosing Your First Ear Piercing

When choosing your first ear piercing, there are a few things to consider.

• Think about the placement on the ear. Most people opt for a lower lobe piercing as their first, however there are no rules stopping you from starting with a cartilage piercing for an edgy and unique look.
• Another consideration is which metal is best for a first ear piercing. Choosing solid gold earrings for your first piercing is ideal as this metal is considered hypoallergenic which lessens your chances of having issues during the healing process. Not to mention, solid gold jewellery is utterly captivating and can transition with you from day to night.
• You should also make sure to go to a piercing studio where they use single use, fully sterilised needles rather than a piercing gun. Ear piercings done with a needle are thought to generally be more sanitary and heal better.

Types of Ear Piercing

There are many different types of ear piercing. A popular place for people to get their first ear piercing is through the fleshy lower lobe at the bottom of their ear. Other options include the conch in the middle of the ear and the helix in the upper cartilage of the ear. Ear piercings should only be done by a professional piercer using sterilised equipment and high-quality jewellery.

Do Ear Piercings Hurt?

Ear piercings are generally considered to cause a low level of pain. They are technically wounds, so it is likely that you will feel at least a slight discomfort whilst the procedure is occurring. The least painful piercings you can get are in the ear lobe. Piercings in the cartilage may be a little more painful due to the thickness of the ear. Overall, the amount a piercing hurts will depend on your pain tolerance. You can get an idea of how much your first ear piercing will hurt by pinching your lobe or cartilage.

Where Can I Get My Ears Pierced?

You can get your ears pierced with Monica Vinader in one of our luxury piercing studios. Simply book your ear piercing appointment online. Not only are our studios a comfortable and clean environment to get your ears pierced in, but our piercing experts will make sure you have a pleasant experience. We have piercing studios in both the US and the UK. Visit us in one of our multiple London locations including Mayfair, Canary Wharf and Covent Garden or find us in our New York Soho store.

If you choose to get your first ear piercings done with Monica Vinader, we will go the extra mile to make this special occasion memorable. If your child is under 16, you can book a 'First Piercing Appointment' and you'll receive a goody bag and photo memento to take away in celebration of this milestone moment.

How Much Does an Ear Piercing Cost?

In the UK the average cost of an ear piercing ranges between £15 and £40. In the US, an ear piercing typically costs between $20 and $55.

At Monica Vinader, our ear piercing sessions cost £20/$25. This price covers up to 3 piercings per person. You will also have our exclusive collection of piercing jewellery to choose from. Each earring is charged individually and is a separate cost from the piercing appointment price.

What to Expect at Your First Ear Piercing Appointment

If you're wondering what to expect at your appointment, our first ear piercing guide is here to help. You can expect the procedure to follow these steps:

1. Firstly, you will choose your piercing jewellery. This could either be a stud or a small hoop earring depending on the piercing you are receiving.
2. Next, our expert piercer will clean the ear with an antiseptic solution. This is done to help prevent infection.
3. Then the piercer will use a sterile needle to make a tiny hole through your chosen position in the ear.
4. Once the hole is made, the piercer will insert an earring through the hole.

Just like that, the procedure is over and your first piercing is done. After the initial ear piercing, it is important to follow the proper aftercare to help your ear heal properly and without complication. More on that later!

How to Prepare for Your First Ear Piercing

An ear piercing guide would be incomplete without sharing advice on how to prepare before your appointment. Here are a few things you should make sure to do in the lead up to your first ear piercing:

Eat and hydrate

Eat a light meal and drink plenty of water before your piercing. This can help stabilise your blood sugars which in turn can help you avoid feelings of dizziness or nausea following your piercing.

Avoid alcohol and blood thinners

Although you may be tempted to take painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen before your appointment, this is strongly advised against. These substances and similar can thin your blood which may increase how much your piercing bleeds. Alcohol can have a similar effect so avoid drinking the night before.

Consider your hairstyle

Keeping your hair away from your piercing when it is new can help prevent irritation and other complications. If you have long hair, consider tying it back before the appointment. Alternatively, you could bring a hair tie or headband with you to keep your hair out of the way.

Can I Get Multiple Piercings At Once?

Yes, you can get multiple ear piercings at once. Making a curated ear with multiple piercings is a popular way to create a unique and eye catching look. If this is something you are interested in, you can book up to three piercings in one 20 minute session at Monica Vinader. We offer piercings in the following places:

• Lower lobe
• Upper lobe
• Higher lobe
• Helix
• Forward helix
• Conch
• Daith
• Tragus

You can choose to get all three in one ear or split between both.

How Long Does it Take for An Ear Piercing to Heal?

The length of time it takes for an ear piercing to heal depends on which part of the ear you have pierced.

• The lobe, which is most people's first ear piercing, usually takes between 6 to 8 weeks to heal.
• Cartilage piercings such as the conch or the helix can take between 6 to 12 months to heal.

Properly caring for your new piercing throughout the duration of this time is essential for healthy healing. If your first ear piercing is having trouble healing, you can book a follow up appointment with our expert piercers for more advice.

How to Care for Your First Ear Piercing

We know that having ear piercings goes beyond just the initial appointment. This is why our ear piercing guide also has aftercare tips to help you care for every piercing you may get. To help your piercing heal with minimal complications, here are some dos and don'ts to remember.

Piercing Aftercare Dos

Do clean your piercing with an Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution. We recommend using this twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. This is the only cleanser you need. It will help to flush out your piercing, remove any discharge, and keep it clean. You can purchase Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution from our piercing studio, or ask your local pharmacist to advise you

Do keep your original piercing jewellery in for the full duration of the healing time. Once healed, you can swap this earring out but make sure not to leave the piercing empty in the first 12 months.

Do avoid sleeping on your new piercing. Not only can laying on the piercing cause discomfort and irritation but it can also alter the angle of the piercing when it is healed. For ultimate comfort, opt for sleeper earrings that are designed to not get in the way of your slumber.

Piercing Aftercare Dont's

Don't use soap, beauty products or creams (e.g. Savlon, surgical spirits or TCP) to clean your piercing. These products can be abrasive and may slow the healing process or interfere with a proper recovery.

Don't swim in the sea or in chlorine water for 4 weeks after your piercing.

Types of Earrings for Your First Piercing

Once your first piercing is fully healed, you can swap your original jewellery out for a wide variety of different earrings. Whatever your style preferences, the options for adorning your ears are endless. From charming and timeless, to edgy and unique, discover the earrings to suit you. Some of our favourite types of earrings for a first ear piercing include:

• Hoop earrings are a must have for any jewellery box. These effortlessly versatile earrings can transition from day to night, always adding a splash of glamour to your appearance. There are many different types of hoops to choose from too. From dramatic large hoop earrings to dainty huggie hoops. You could even embellish your hoops with earring charms to customise your look and give your piercing a pop of colour.
• Named after the way they hang from the ear lobe, drop earrings are an utterly enchanting piece of jewellery. This type of earring adds a luxurious finishing touch to any outfit. For a mesmerising look, try pearl drop earrings which exude class and elegance. Or choose diamond earrings for an irresistible sparkle that is guaranteed to turn heads.
• Studs are an earring essential. They lend a simple beauty to the wearer and are perfect for everyday looks or a minimalist style. Subtle yet eye-catching, silver studs can be worn on their own or can be partnered with other earrings to create a stunning ear stack.
• For the ultimate ear party, bold climber earrings are a must. Made to wow, these earrings crawl up the ear giving the effect of multiple earrings whilst only requiring one piercing. A truly glorious piece of statement jewellery, climber earrings are ideal for making a splash at special occasions.

For even more variation, you can try styling your first ear piercing with different coloured metals. Choose from the cool tones of sterling silver, the romantic hues of rose gold or the flattering warmth of gold vermeil.

Sustainable Jewellery from Monica Vinader

At Monica Vinader, we design contemporary jewellery with sustainability at heart. Working with recycled metals and ethical stones, our necklaces, bracelets, and rings provide endless style inspiration.