Second lobe piercing

[SirSidneyRuffDiamond]

So at the grand old age of 53 I have decided to get a second piercing in each of my ear lobes. Any advice on how to chose a piercer? I know I want to avoid guns, which all the local beauty salons seem to favour. But then again I'm a bit worried about going to a tattoo and piercing place - the one's I have seen all look a bit scary. What sort of questions should I be asking and what type/metal earrings are best initially?

Any recommendations particularly near Marlow?

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I’d most definitely recommend a tattoo place that has a piercer (not all
do). They’ll use. Needle and have attention to detail.

Call in to discuss first, then book if you’re happy. I have had two set of lobe piercings this way.

I just had some new piercings and I just went to our local tattoo parlour. They were lovely. It can be a little intimidating if it's somewhere you are not used to but I'm sure they'll find they're really friendly. I had 3rd and 4ths and a conch piercing all on one ear at the same time! The 3rd and 4ths have healed so fast compared to the piercing I had as a child using a gun.

Google for tattoo / piercers in your area. DO NOT go somewhere that use a gun. Titanium is industry standard for initial piercings afaik. You should be able to find Google reviews / Facebook reviews to help you narrow down who to book in with. A lot of pro piercers have Instagram accounts too so you can see their previous work.

i LOVE my seconds, after four weeks I’m now going for either thirds or a helix piercing . So many beautiful jewellery options around these days!

I've been looking online and found a fairly local tattoo and piercing studio which has active Facebook and Instagram accounts and good reviews as far as I can see. I've messaged them and will wait to see what their contact is like before making a visit. Bit nervous to be honest.

Give them a call op. I go to my local tattoo place. Piercer is covered in metal and tattoos but the loveliest woman! Is kind and checks you're ok, happy with placement. All very hygienic. But yes call and ask to speak to the piercer - tell them you're nervous and their response should tell you about them :-)

100% agree about the needle. I do recognise your hesitancy to go to a tattoo place, I’m the same even though objectively I know it’s fine and everyone will be lovely.

Could you go to London? there are a few places that will pierce with a needle but sell themselves more as the “curated ear” service. Maria Tash is probably the he best known, Astrid and Miyu is the (slightly) more affordable option. Both are run as concessions in department stores but neither cheap.

I know a few tattoo artists who are covered head to toe with tattoos and piercings and without exception they are all absolutely lovely. Please don't be put off, they'll put you at ease. I would trust the hygiene of a proper tattoo/piercing studio far more than a beauty salon or hairdressers or god forbid Claire's Accessories as well.

Ah, ignore my other post then, finding somewhere good and local is better, I was just putting the alternative out there.
Dont be nervous about the piercing, I’d be more worried about the addiction… I started 2022 with two piercings and now I’m up to seven, my most recent being my Daith.

I had mine done a couple of years ago at 39. I went to a tattoo place but unfortunately chose a bar type of stud and couldn't get it out so had to go back there to have it removed. It's fine now but was a shame i couldn't use the earring as I paid extra for that one. I would recommend a tattooist though

I agree that the piercers/ tattooists are in general absolutely lovely!

I would caution against Maria Tash . it’s horribly expensive and the stylists aren’t pro piercers so you can end up with unsuitable earrings for healing piercings. Just go to the local place that uses simple titanium studs then once it’s fully healed you can switch out for the fancy pants earrings

They messaged me straight back with the following info:

Earlobe piercings are £30 for 1 or £40 for 2 which includes the jewellery.

We pierce with titanium labrets with a choice of a plain or jewelled ball.

Does this sound a bit cheap?

Oh also my dd had her ears pierced at Superdrug and one of the holes healed around it so I took her to the tattooist and they were so friendly and helpful I wished I'd gone there in the first place!

No that’s on a par with what I paid. Sounds perfect tbh!

Labret are ideal. Butterfly backs are no longer recommended as they harbour infection. labret are trickier to get in / out but you’ll be able to pop back and have the piercer replace the earrings once your 8 weeks healing is up.

Sounds about right. I think we paid similar for my daughter's.

I took my DD (11) to Astrid and Miyu after a lot of research, she was pierced with a needle by a tattoooed bloke who was lovely. However she found one side extremely painful and it never seemed to heal. After the 6-8 weeks we took them out and they immediately closed up! She’s really put off and I don’t know what we did wrong!

Go to Maria Tash inside Liberty (London)

Dont let any piercer use a gun.
Dont get rubbish quality pieces to put in.
Follow the cleaning instructions.
Get them put slightly higher than your first piercing.

Go to a reputable piercing studio or tattoo studio with a dedicated piercer. You’re right to avoid guns, and looking on Facebook/Insta for good reviews is a good idea.

I would look for someone who uses body safe metals such as implant grade Titanium, or gold if you want to splash out. All of my piercings are titanium mostly Industrial Strength brand but I am wanting to get them all replaced with gold.

Snoopsnoggysnog some piercings just never seem to take. I had one that wasn’t painful at all but after around 9 months I took it out to change and the hole just closed right up in front of my eyes. It was never even painful or anything. Another piercing I’ve had nothing but trouble with it swelling on and off, I think it’s in a bad place and catches on everything.

I've taken my dd to a tattoo place for her piercings, they have been brilliant and really professional. You'll be in and out in 5 minutes

Did you take an earring out and immediately replace with another? Leaving a hole empty for any length of time can mean it closes on some people.

also 6 weeks is early, the pro piercer I use says 8 minimum

I’m 53 and had my second set of lobe piercings last week!

I chose a piercer at a local tattoo studio. Went through a health questionnaire which took a few minutes and had them done with a needle. Was given an aftercare leaflet and solution and went on my way!

Had my second lobe piercing on my 59th birthday last summer. Went to a tattoo place, paid £30 including the jewellery. Great service, hygienic, almost painless. In and out in 15 mins, no appointment needed.

I changed mine at 6 weeks, no issues.

I know it is undeniable that guns cause more damage than needles, but I had my first set with a gun because it was the 90s, and my second set done 10-15 years ago by a proper piercer with a needle. The second set don't seem to fully line up (like the hole in the front part of my ear isn't in the same place as the hole in the back) and it takes a fair bit of jiggling to get an earring in. Also, my needle holes are far more sensitive than my gun holes, and have healed hard, so I can feel them with no earring in. I can wear whatever I like for as long as I like in my gun holes, but anything other than titanium is unbearable in my needle holes after 3hrs.

Admittedly I was younger when I got my first set done, and I'm pretty sure my mum told me I had to wait 6 months not 6 week, but I don't think it is really as simple as avoid a gun and pick a reputable piercer. Some piercings just don't take right.