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Original poster

Ear piercing

25 replies

Gr8 · 03/04/2023 23:23

Hi all,
Read lots of negative comments on Claire’s ear piercing. I just wonder what’s the difference between Claire’s and Superdrug?

I have been thinking of have dd ear pierced there but need advice from you please.
Also can she go swimming day after ear pierced?

Thank you.

OP posts:

Mycathatesmecuddling · 03/04/2023 23:27

I wouldn't take her swimming the day after ear piercing, it's an open wound, you need at least a few days ideally a couple of weeks or so

I couldn't comment on claires vs super drug because I would always go to a reputable piercer who uses a needle

cornflakegeneration · 03/04/2023 23:34

No difference - both terrible

knowsmorethansnow · 04/04/2023 00:04

Both are horrible, don't get it done with a gun. It takes longer to heal and causes more damage.

Original poster

Gr8 · 04/04/2023 00:39

Thank you.
DD has swimming lessons so I am thinking a right time. Maybe the day after her lesson or before Christmas break.

OP posts:

GrimDamnFanjo · 04/04/2023 01:06

Won't she need 6 weeks for healing?
I wouldn't go anywhere other than a trained and certified piercer.

Trollsinmyeggbox · 04/04/2023 07:46

There is no difference. They're both bare minimum 'trained', poorly performed, using below par equipment and generally awful.

Stravawindow · 04/04/2023 11:59

They use guns to pierce and they aren't properly trained. You need a proper piercing person that does it with a needle not a gun.

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 04/04/2023 12:13

You have to wait 6 weeks to swim after piercing, DDs got infected after 5 weeks and 6 days (with a gun)

Spent christmas/boxing days flitting between urgent care/A&E due to the spread of infection and swelling. Was advised only ever get pierced with a needle, once healed she did, was fine (she was 11) and all was well.

I had to show a lot of mine and her ID to the piercing studio before they would do it though, wish Claires et al had the same restrictions

SerafinasGoose · 04/04/2023 12:39

Piercing guns should be banned outright. I can't understand why they haven't been. They sell their 'hygiene' practices - and I use that term loosely - on the basis that 'only the stud touches the ear'. That's true, but there's still a likelihood of cross-contamination given they are made of plastic and can't be autoclaved to the high temperatures needed to sterilize them.

Then there's the problem that although these studs have sharpened ends they're still a thick, blunt object that causes trauma to the flesh. This is the reason they can't use them on cartilage piercings - the cartilage would be at risk of collapsing. Those wide, dinner-plate backs can also trap all kinds of gunk behind them, whereas a ring or even barbell wouldn't, allowing easy cleaning and less likelihood of keloids or infection.

Far safer to use a reputable piercer with needles (just as quick as a gun and less of a blunt force) and a ring or barbell for healing purposes. And swimming pools are a bacterial soup - anyone with open wounds should be avoiding then until they've healed.

Original poster

Gr8 · 04/04/2023 16:26

Thank you for such detailed reply. I will definitely reconsider when and where to have it done. 🙂

OP posts:

Original poster

Gr8 · 04/04/2023 16:27

Apparently Superdrug claimed that they don’t use gun hence here’s my question. Thanks.

OP posts:

QueenofLouisiana · 04/04/2023 16:36

Superdrug don’t use a spring loaded gun, that is true. However, they still use a plastic implement to push the earring through the leave- so still using the shape but broad earrings.

A tattoo parlour/ piercing parlour use a totally different system. They’ll have a lot of experience and are usually excellent on aftercare. I have 5 ear piercings, 3 of which are piercing parlour ones, all great. I’ve had 3 additional piercings which I’ve had to let heal over- all done by guns, not in piercing parlours.

QueenofLouisiana · 04/04/2023 16:37

Shape= sharp. Sorry!

Trollsinmyeggbox · 04/04/2023 19:13

Gr8 · 04/04/2023 16:27

Apparently Superdrug claimed that they don’t use gun hence here’s my question. Thanks.

They'll refer to it as their "system", it's just the inside mechanism of what is normally shaped as a 'piercing' gun. Hard avoid.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 04/04/2023 20:12

Don't go to Superdrug. My dd did and against my better judgement I allowed her. Well I took her there as she was 9. She had considered it for 2 years then decided today is the day and didn't want to wait. The piercing part was fine. I asked the lady to show me her certificates but hair got wrapped around the earring. Not their fault but I had to take her to a tattoo place as when I put the earring back in after removing the hair it was too tight and sunk in. Thankfully it got sorted but it's only just healing now a year later. I feel the tattoo place would have had better aftercare. I had mine done at Claire's though aged 25 and they were fine.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 04/04/2023 20:13

And they said not to go swimming for 24 hours after

Xrays · 04/04/2023 20:18

How old is your dd? I would wait until she’s old enough to have it done at a proper piercing studio with a needle.

HipposHaveNipples · 04/04/2023 20:18

Search 'piercing gun stuck' on YouTube if you want to see what can happen. I have had seven ear piercings done with a gun, including a cartilage piercing, and they all healed perfectly. I was lucky; knowing what I know now, I would never ever be pierced with a gun again and I certainly wouldn't let any child of mine be pierced with one either. Please take her to a proper piercing shop that will do it with a needle.

Original poster

Gr8 · 04/04/2023 22:25

Thank you. I am glad I asked help here. So many of you helped not only me but many other mums.

OP posts:

Isabelle70 · 04/04/2023 22:27

Guns should be banned. My first and second piercing were both done with a gun back in the day and in both ears they were uneven and not placed properly. It always annoyed me as one side they were really close and the other side they were just lower down on the lobe. 30 odd years later and I had a piercing done with a needle in each ear to make the piercings equal and level. The old holes are still there but get hidden under my earrings.
No pain, no infection just now perfectly placed piercings.

Meowmunro · 04/04/2023 22:29

My daughter went to Claire’s around a month ago to get her ears pierced. They got really badly infected within a couple of days and I had to get antibiotic cream to help which took around a week. Her ears are lovely now. The staff advised waiting only a couple of days for swimming, we waited 3 weeks and they are fine.

OrlandointheWilderness · 04/04/2023 22:42

My DD went to a proper piercer. She did the job beautifully, all very good and healed really well.

leccybill · 17/06/2023 08:03

Can I ask - DD wants hers done but we're on hol until 1 Aug. How long does the healing/aftercare take? Do you have to wait 6 weeks before removing them?

OrlandointheWilderness · 17/06/2023 08:50

I've just had mine done, I waited 9 weeks to remove them. They say 6-8 and mine did feel ready after that though but I wanted to be very sure!

leccybill · 17/06/2023 09:19

I guess she'll be wearing plasters for school in Sept then!

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