Pierced Ears

[Paige]

We were at the mall and I said I'd like to get my ear peirced. My wife said if that's what I wanted to go ahead. The girl doing the piercing asked which ear and I said both. She looked at my wife and she said "He's 60, he can do what he wants". I did and when anyone asked I say "Because I wanted to, that's why".

I love it and wear studs all the time and small hoops sometimes and when I'm dressed I wear all kinds.

Go for it - - You'll love it!!!

[Jeanie-Marie]

I got mine pierced the first time last October on my birthday-one in each ear. I liked it so well in November added another an inch higher up.
I work with a large crew in a major distrubution center, no bad coments,and several good ones. I wear studs at work,any color I feel like at the time. Just go get it done--you"be glade you did. Few notice and less care. Just think of all the long dangly-femmy ear-rings you get to choose from. Jeanie-Marie

[Beauty]

Hi,

Someone on the CDDF forum posted a link to a page about makeup things and it had a section about Pierced Ears.

This is the path I can see myself taking.

Beauty

Stealth Ear Piercing

Love the idea of pierced ears, but your work or social situation makes it difficult to leave the starter studs in for the necessary 4 weeks? Here is a possible solution. Since this involves an invasive procedure (i.e., poking holes in your body with metal objects), I assume no responsibility for any results, infections, pain, trauma, rotting body parts, hysteria, tax increases, loss of ability to play a musical instrument, or anything else.  (There, my lawyer is smiling now.) I DO NOT recommend piercing your ears at home. Go to a pro, and pay the $10, or don't do this at all. Systemic infections an inch from your brain - think about that while you save the $10 by trying to pierce yourself at home.

Personally, I recommend going to a professional, trained body piercer to get your ears pierced. They have the skills and training to do a good job, and your chances of infection are lessened. They also hurt a lot less. I have several parts of my body pierced, and found that the first time, when I went to a mall place to get my ears pierced, they hurt the worst. Your body your choice.

Go to a store that sells earrings, and ask them for a box of "pierced ear protectors." Mine came in a small blue box, under the brand name "E'arrs." There were 10 of the protectors in the box. They are a clear plastic sleeve designed to slip over the posts of  pierced style earrings. They are very small - approximately 1/4" long, with a small flared base.

Make sure you get two other things before you get pierced. A bottle of 50 zinc tablets, 50 milligram dosage, and a 4 ounce bottle of benzalkonium chloride solution, USP, 1:1000 dilution, for a disinfectant. The disinfectant should be available at the site that you get pierced. If they do not have it available, or have not heard of it, LEAVE, and go somewhere else. The use of a disinfectant twice a day on the piercing site is mandatory to prevent infection. 

Another medical note - DO NOT use Betadine, or any other iodine-based product on your ear piercing. Introduction of iodine into the ear canal may cause deafness and other auditory problems. 

Whew - getting scared? Sound complicated? Good - you are punching holes in your body, and the issue deserves respect.

After the piercer pokes those little studs in your ears, they need to stay at least 48 hours. Clean them frequently and well with the benzalkonium chloride solution, rotating the studs several times. If you get them pierced Friday afternoon, Monday morning you may start the "Stealth" process. 

This is the trick - take the backs off the studs. Slide the clear plastic protectors onto the posts from the back. Then carefully pull the studs out from the front. This will leave the clear, nearly invisible, plastic protectors in place to keep the holes open. That is it! They are nearly invisible. I have found that people have to look for them to see them. If you have not had pierced ears previously, people won't really be looking for them, will they?

You may wish to slide the studs back into the clear protectors at night, so that they don't get dislodged while you sleep.

Take one zinc tablet a day. This helps speed the healing process. I would keep the posts in for 3-4 weeks, and then go back to the place you were pierced to have them checked. If they get red and infected, keep cleaning them with the disinfectant, and consult a medical professional. As I said before, if you get infected, it is your responsibility. Please follow all guidelines your piercer tells you. Dealer prep, taxes, title and license fees are not included. Your mileage may vary.

[DonnaT]

Thanks Beauty.

I've read where others have used clear fishing line to keep the holes open. I reckon 20 or 30 lb test monofiliment line would work. And a little clearasil to cover the hole.

But I like the idea of the plastic post covers.

[Cami]

I'm still pondering the whole piercing thing, but I think I will have it done for my next big outting (if I every get around to it). I really don't think it's an issue anymore like it used to be. I like the fishing line idea though. sounds like it would work great.

[Marcy]

Mine have been pierced on and off since highschool. Luckily I am on the old side of the generation that it is no big deal for guys to have both ears pierced. Most of my peers do. It has been a way for guys to seperate themselves from the dominant culture here. I have always been on the punk side of things anyway.
Sometimes I wear them to work, a lot more lately. The ones i have in now are a twist in sort of tribal/punk inspired small spiral hoop. The others I where in daily boy mood look like a cuved barbell.
I think I am going to get a more unusual ear piercing this weekend.
I think piercing is adicting.

[Anne]

I may be able to do this - my SO & youngest daughter had theirs done 2-3 months ago and the oldest daughter will probably follow. On every occasion I have said I will get mine done too and the girls have asked several times since if I was serious. Would cause a stir at work but it would die away pretty fast I think.

Anne

PS I would really want some tiny, nonblatant studs to start, have not seen such as starters as most customers (young girls) WANT to show off their new purchase.

[Beauty]

Hi Anne,

Same here. I'm REALLY thinking about doing it too. I'm much closer to doing it than i was last year. It just the work thing, but the rest should be easy. The range of ear ring types soars after you have that done.

Beauty

[Beauty]

All done.



DonnaT!

[DonnaT]

Cool!

[SilverLady(SO)]

Congratulations, Gracie!!! I just *knew* that you would eventually get your ears pierced! Woo Hoo!!!

Now you have to start buying some pierced earrings - - and you'll quickly find out that you *never* have the 'perfect' pair to match your outfits!!



- SL

[Alana]

For anyone contemplating getting their ears pierced, I say, "go for it"! There are some very plain starter studs that probably won't get much comment regardless of the social or work situation.

I got both ears pierced at a Walmart about 9 months ago. I got some prettly plain starters- silver balls, about 3 mm. Plus there were some other small not very showy studs. Just take a look at the starter selection at the piercing station.

I wore my starters all the time during the healing period and got some comments, but not near the razzing I thought I might get. When asked why, I just told them it "was a midlife crisis," although "because I wanted to" would work just as well. Most people, if they noticed, didn't say anything.

Since they healed, I've been wearing various studs to work: small black enamel ones, various small to medium, clear or colored crystals; and various sized silver balls. Just buy a $5.00 card of various earrings at Walmart. Still get occasional comments, but most are either positive or neutral. To and from work, I usually wear small dangles. When dressed, I go to larger dangles or hoops. Just having fun.

There are numerous styles of earrings for pierced ears. However, if piercing is just not an option, you can get little doo-dads that convert pierced earrings to a clip-on. Beore getting my ears pierced, I got some of them at a Claire's shop in the local mall. However, I much prefer the piercings.

Just go for it, girls!

Alana

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

Congrats Gracie!

I got mine pierced this spring and so far no one's said anything.

[Paulie]

That is so great!

Someday I'll get up the courage to have both of mine pierced. I would so love to be able to wear some nice hoops.

Right now, tho... really wouldn't work out with my job.

[Lydia]

Hi Paulie,

I like hoops too, and wear big ones a lot. Clip ons. Work very well and comfortable. Adjustable. Try www.cliptomania.com

Lydia