To have an upper ear piercing?

[Gryffindor]

Even though I work in a stuffy workplace and have a responsible job?!

Somehow (after a stressful day) I've found myself sitting in a Claires piercing chair!

Also, going on holiday tomorrow. Will swimming be OK?

Talk about reliving youth!

Golden I don't think it's hatred of Claire's exactly, but just that piercing guns can lead to problems - the studs are often not long enough for cartiledge piercings, the blunt trauma can cause problems or delay healing in comparison with a using a hollow needle, the gun itself isn't sterilised between piercings which has a theoretical risk of cross infection.

Added to that the fact that Claire's are happy to pierce the ears of babies - not everyone has a problem with that,but many do....

I had my upper ear done 20 years ago with a gun and it took ages to heal. It only stopped swelling up and getting yucky when I swapped the stud for a ring about 2 years in.

Unfortunately I lost the ring about 4 months ago and it has now healed over. At some point I'll get it redone but with a needle this time.

I've had mine done decades and I don't get the work thing, I've my nose done longtime too and nobody bats an eyelid.

I third the put a ring in though, as soon as you're able, it doesn't catch on hair as much.

By far the most painful thing I've ever had done though, be prepared to persevere, and do the no touching/salt water thing lots!

I has my upper ear done 1 2, erm no 28 years ago with a gun on a whim, I was swimming later the same day, it healed fine and I still have the hole even though I haven't worn an earring in it for about 15 years.

Work is fine, as in nobody would say anything negative and there certainly isn't a uniform.

But I am in quite a senior position and often go to very important meetings (involving government, CEOs etc) and I just thought it might make me look a bit out of place.

Whatever - love me, love my brand new and impulsive diamond stud!

YANBU, I got mine done in a Claire's too and it's just fiiine 5 years on. I don't often wear an earring in that hole though as it does look a bit unprofessional sometimes.

My dad said he was writing me out of his will when he saw it.

GoldenGytha Claire's use piercing guns, which are designed - badly - for lobe piercings. They basically staple a not-very-sharp ear stud through your ear.

This is not the best way of going about things, as the guns can be quite mucky - you can't autoclave them. There's an (admittedly low) risk of transmitting blood-borne disease.

Also, the studs used are too blunt. They cause crush damage to the tissue. Not a huge problem, usually, on soft lobe tissue, but can cause all manner of swelling & tissue lumps on cartilage.

Oh, & because the studs are too blunt, & the guns malfunction, the studs sometimes get stuck halfway. & have to be forced through, or yanked out. Messy.

& all of this is in the hands of a teenager who trained on a teddy before being let loose on anyone old enough to hold their head up, basically.

www.safepiercing.org/piercing/faq/#guns

I'm off for a nice helix piercing to add to the collection tomorrow. I'll be going to a very capable local blade piercer for it; I won't tell you what she says about Claire's!

The impulsive diamond sounds fab, though Gryffindor.

Yanbu to get it gunned. Needle every time.
I don't think upper ear piercings have much of a stigma anymore