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Original poster

Tell me about getting ears pierced as an adult?

21 replies

GlitteringJasper · 28/02/2015 18:30

I'm mid 30's but don't have pierced ears.

Have always fancied a really nice pair of small diamond studs.

I'm worried it'll hurt! . Does it?

Can you wear nice earrings straight away or do you have to wear special studs? That's the way it used to be I think when my peers were getting their ears pierced years ago.

OP posts:

Cocolepew · 28/02/2015 18:34

It hurts fleetingly, you can usually pick your earrings but they need to stsy in for a few weeks.
The anti gun, anti claires posts will appear soon
Ive had all my piercings did with a gun and have had no problems.

lucjam · 28/02/2015 18:37

I had mine re done in December. Been years and years since I had worn earring so the holes were closed up.

It does sting a bit but only a few mins at most. I had them done with a gun, didn't know there was an anti gun brigade. Not had any issues at all. I can change them in a few days so need to go and buy some earrings. Do it you'll be fine!

ExitStageLeft · 28/02/2015 18:38

It feels like you might imagine it to - a like a staple. It's so quick it's over before you've even thought about it. Afterwards it stings and they are hot but nothing bad.

Make sure they are level!

EdithWeston · 28/02/2015 18:39

If you go for needle, you can choose studs you like the look of (ask piercer for advice on size and which metals are suitable - and iof going for good, make sure it is good and not plated).

I was looking in a local jeweller the other day (DD will be getting hers done this summer), they pierce by gun, and the range of studs for their gun included ones that looked like diamond studs.

Check how experienced your piercer is. Claire's can be fine or foul.

DigApony · 28/02/2015 18:39

I had mine done by force, held down when I was five, twice. But my dh had the top of his ear pierced in Claire's the other week with a simple stainless steel stud. There did seem to be quite a choice so I don't see why you couldn't phone the place you are going to get them done and see if you could bring your own earring?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/02/2015 22:17

I had mine done at a Regis salon last year, after they'd been healed up for at least a decade. I'm a complete coward, and it hardly hurt at all. I chose tiny fake diamond studs. I think I could change them after about eight weeks iirc.

purplepenguin86 · 03/03/2015 01:11

I had mine done about 4 years ago I think - I had been worried a) about the pain, and b) that I would be too squeamish to change them before that. I went to an actual piercer, which I would recommend, as they really know what they are doing, and it reduces the chance of having any problems with them. It didn't really hurt - bit of a sting like when you have an injection, and they felt hot for a while after, but it was no biggie, and I don't have a high pain threshold! You have to keep the studs in for about 6 - 8 weeks. Bathe them in hot sea salt water a couple of times a day - not the weird solution stuff that some places tell you to use, and don't twist them like some places tell you to - all that does is slow down the healing.

elfofftheshelf · 03/03/2015 08:23

I had mine done about 5 or 6 years ago. Had them done at Metalmorphasis in Selfridges (London). It's gone now, but I am sure there are other reputable places. They used a gun, the pain was fleeting and no worse than a bikini wax.

I was able to choose from a selection of studs, and as I knew I would need to keep them in for 6 weeks, I went for a white gold pair with tiny (chips) diamonds. I think the whole thing cost about £70.

I was told to bathe them in saline solution and to avoid twisting them. I had no problems at all.

specialsubject · 03/03/2015 11:36

does 16 count as an adult? Long time ago but by my choice, and with a gun. Yes, it bloody hurts, but not for long. I also discovered that my ears are not level so there was much thought about where to put the piercings...

not sure what up to date care advice is but I had to wear plain studs for some time. In fact I usually still wear plain studs.

they remain my only piercings, never had any trouble.

SirVixofVixHall · 03/03/2015 11:43

Following with interest. I have pierced ears, done when I was 16 (It hurt like hell btw) But one seems to have closed up, due to not wearing any earrings with small children. I can get the stud in partially, but then it hurts and starts to bleed. Will they be able to re-pierce through the same hole? I don't fancy having two holes there.

SirVixofVixHall · 03/03/2015 11:47

Just tried to get studs in again and now both holes seem closed, can only get the studs part of the way through.

goodasitgets · 03/03/2015 13:34

Go to a piercer. Mine did that and they repierced the same holes

MaybeDoctor · 03/03/2015 15:36

Can you sleep with studs in?

SirVixofVixHall · 03/03/2015 16:33

Thanks good. Will try and find one. I take it places like Claire's would not be the thing then? I should find a proper piercer? Oh and did it hurt more or less than the first time

SirVixofVixHall · 03/03/2015 16:35

I always found sleeping with studs in very uncomfortable. When I was a child everyone had their ears pierced with a needle and sleepers put in, so called because they are comfortable to sleep in. But by the time I had mine done at 16, the staple-type guns had arrived so I had studs, and they did annoy me. i was so glad when I didn't have to sleep with them in.

goodasitgets · 03/03/2015 18:54

Proper one. And no, as they will only be going through half a hole as such! Find a good piercer and it takes seconds

TheCowThatLaughs · 03/03/2015 19:05

I've had mine pierced with gun and needle (several times on different occasions). I don't think either method hurts much really, but would say the needle hurts less. The gun is more like a very strong pinch and the needle hardly hurt at all, but not much in it really.

andthenthereweretwo · 03/03/2015 21:07

Had old closed up holes re-pierced by needle in a local tattoo/piercing studio. Hurt for 10 seconds then completely fine. Changed my earrings after 1 week to sterling silver studs and they are fine. £10per ear.

MehsMum · 03/03/2015 21:26

I had mine done at about 20, with a gun. Really quick, didn't hurt nearly as much as I had expected, healed up fine.

Honestly, OP, it's no big deal. Get nice studs put in when you get your ears pierced, as they have to stay in for something like 4-6 weeks. After that you can wear what you like.

needmorespace · 03/03/2015 22:02

harrods will pierce with 18k gold studs for £50 - my dtr had hers done there a couple of years ago. She is very squeamish and she was fine with it.

Dancergirl · 03/03/2015 22:33

Also watching with interest.

I have pierced ears but want to have them redone as on one side the hole has stretched a bit over time so drop earrings don't look right.

When I was in Camden a few years ago I went into Cold Steel for a chat and they said no problem, they would reposition the new hole above the old one.

But I'm scared! I'm such a wuss and really squeamish. I know a needle is the better method but I don't know if I can face it. I can't even have an injection without a hoo-hah.

Maybe I'd be better off with the gun...?

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