Ear Piercing Guide

Creating your perfect EarPrint can be a great way to show off your personality.
But whether you’re getting pierced for the first time or the third, you may have
some questions about the ear piercing process. Our ear piercing guide goes into detail
on the types of ear piercings you can get done at Claire’s, the aftercare process,
and even common questions earring lovers have asked.

Today, there are many different types of ear piercings to choose from, starting with the
Traditional Lobe to the fashion-forward Auricle. Below we’ll go over all the different types
of piercings and how long they take to heal. This will help you to see the different styles and determine the perfect EarPrint layout to express yourself.

Auricle

Cartilage

Multi Lobe

Spider Bite

Traditional

Trilogy

This piercing is located on the section between your earlobe and your upper flat cartilage on the outer curve of your ear. Because it is a cartilage piercing, depending on individual pain tolerances, some may find it to be a little more uncomfortable compared to lobe piercings and may take eight to 12 weeks to fully heal.

This piercing is located at the top flat section of your ear, near the natural curve. Similarly to all piercings, discomfort levels depend on the individual, and some may find it slightly more painful compared to other piercings. It can take eight to 12 weeks to fully heal. Like all piercings we offer, it heals best when you follow the instructions given to you by your ear piercing specialist.

A multi-lobe piercing is exactly what it sounds like, two or more piercings in the lobe. It can take three to six weeks to fully heal depending on the aftercare selected and provided you follow the aftercare instructions your piercing specialist gives you.

A spider-bite piercing is any two piercings close together. They can be on either ear but are most often done on the cartilage. They can take eight to 12 weeks to fully heal as long as you follow the aftercare instructions.

This is our most popular piercing option and goes by many names like lobe piercing or single lobe piercing. It’s a classic piercing that stands the test of time. Depending on the choice of aftercare lotion and if you follow your aftercare routine to the letter, this piercing takes about three to six weeks to heal.

Similar to a multi-lobe piercing, the trilogy is three lobe piercings placed near each other in a triangle shape. Mix and match earrings for the ultimate self-expression. They can take three to six weeks to heal depending on the aftercare solution selected.

When you're feeling ready for a brand-new ear piercing from Claire’s, make sure to look at our assortment of earrings. If you're looking for a bit of sparkle or pretty metals, you might like our diamond stud earrings or our options in 14K white and yellow gold earrings. If you want a more affordable option, glance over our 24K gold-plated stud earrings. Claire’s offers beautiful options in 14K white gold birthstones to add a little color to your new ear additions. Those wanting durable studs will love our options in titanium. Another great option is the premium C LUXE by Claire’s pieces, which are a stylish addition to any look, while adding a touch of class to your everyday EarPrint.

If you’re considering a piercing, you may be wondering about the main differences between piercing instruments and needles.

Piercing needles are hollow with a sharp tip. Needles are designed to pierce through the ear to create an opening and are versatile enough to be used for both body and ear piercings. As the earring is not attached to the needle, it will have to be inserted into the fresh piercing afterwards. The person piercing the ear would need to use their hands to complete the piercing so it should be noted that it is not a contactless process.

Piercing instruments are a little different. They are much easier to use and don’t require needles. Our piercing instruments use a single-use sterile cartridge and avoid any direct contact with your ear. They allow for greater control and precision during piercing, making them a great option for anyone getting their ears pierced for the first or fourth time! Also, the piercing and earring insertion is done in the same step, allowing for a quicker piercing process. The instrument automatically loads the butterfly back, and the jewelry can be worn post-healing period. The jewelry is pre-loaded, ensuring a sanitary process from the initial step. Here at Claire’s, your health and safety are important, which is why we strictly use piercing instruments with single-use cartridges. In fact, in a proprietary survey, 78% of those surveyed have had their ears pierced with a piercing instrument for a sanitary experience.

If you’re getting a second piercing or multiple piercings all at once for your first time, the spacing between piercings depends on the individual, as well as the spacing necessary for the earring backs to fit comfortably. Your Piercing Specialist will discuss the earring placement with you before starting the piercings and they’ll recommend what they think the best placement is for each unique EarPrint.

Choosing a good piercer is easier than ever! Look for someone who has been certified as a Claire’s Piercing Specialist and has experience piercing the ear area you’re considering. All our associates are required to complete an extensive ear piercing training program before becoming Claire’s Piercing Specialists. Training includes a range of procedures, local policy comprehension, hygiene protocol, and demonstration of core piercing competencies. Claire’s Piercing Specialists also have annual refresher training to ensure that we are always offering our customers an easy and safe piercing experience. Your safety is our number one priority, which is why we take such extensive steps and training to ensure the specialists can offer the best experience, whether your child’s first piercing or your fourth.

Best Earrings for Initial Piercings

We have many ear piercing kits that are the perfect choice for your first ear piercing. Choosing the right kit depends on what you want your EarPrint to say and your personal style, plus what kind of piercing you’re looking for. If you have any questions or aren’t sure which kit to choose, Claire’s Piercing Specialists can help you decide! To ensure the piercing heals properly, we have our Aftercare Cleanser with each kit, and you can choose either the standard or Rapid™ 3 Week After Care Cleanser, depending on how quickly you want to start changing your earrings.

It’s important that all the ear piercing care instructions are followed for all piercings to ensure proper healing. Included in this ear piercing guide is some information on the cleaning process and how to ensure the piercing heals well.

Cleansing Process

The cleansing process is simple. To ensure proper healing, always wash your hands before touching a new piercing. Hold the front of the earring and make half turns each way, two to three times per day. Never remove the earring backs during cleaning or push it in too tight to where they are squeezing your ears uncomfortably. The notch at the end of the post will help guide you to where the backing needs to rest for proper healing. Clean the front and back of your ear three times a day with your aftercare solution on a cotton pad. We recommend keeping your new piercing free from soap, perfume, or hair and cosmetic products until fully healed. In addition, hold off on hitting the swimming pool for at least 24 hours after your new piercing. Once your piercing has healed, we recommend daily cleansing with our aftercare solution to keep your piercing as healthy and clean as possible.

The best way to avoid infection is to follow the aftercare process and ensure you’re washing your hands thoroughly before touching the pierced area. Make sure that your child doesn’t play with the new piercings, as that could lead to irritation and infection. Clean the area adequately and three times a day to ensure it heals properly. Avoid having soaps, hair products or perfumes touch the new piercing and rinse after shampooing as they could irritate the new piercing. Also, keep dry after bathing, swimming, or exercise.

The typical signs of an infection are swelling, redness, and pain in the area. If you have these symptoms 24 hours after your piercing, please seek medical advice immediately. Your piercing may have become infected and prompt medical care is required.

The different types of piercing you received will affect when you can change the piercing. Getting a new piercing is exciting, and you or your child may want to rush out and upgrade your first piercing. But before you do, know that it’s best not to change the earrings until you have completed the aftercare period. When you can change your earrings depends on the location of the piercing and the aftercare solution you choose.

If you or your child got a lobe piercing and are using our Ear Care Solution, you must wait at least six weeks until you can change the earrings. If you use our Rapid™ After Care Cleanser for lobe piercings, you can change out the earrings after three weeks.

If you or your child received a cartilage piercing and are using our Ear Care Solution, there’s a waiting period of eight to 12 weeks before changing the piercing. If you use our Rapid™ After Care Cleanser, you can change your piercing after eight weeks.

With our ear-piercing guide, whether you are looking for yourself or your child, you can feel safe knowing that we use high-quality materials and processes for our piercings. It doesn’t matter if this is your first piercing or fourth, with our single-use cartridges and strict aftercare routine, we offer a safe and sanitary piercing experience for all. Set up an appointment online for you and your child or just walk into one of our stores for a personalized piercing experience. Here at Claire's, we're pleased to have been offering safe and simple ear piercings for over 40 years. Stop in and see us today!

If you have any questions before you pop in for an ear piercing, be sure to look below at our frequently asked questions. If you still don’t see your question answered, feel free to ask your local Claire’s ear-piercing specialists. At Claire’s, we strive to provide the best piercing experience possible!