Basic Ear Lobes
Earlobes are by far the most common piercing in the world and one of the oldest forms of body modification. Historically, pierced ears (at least in Western society) have been considered a feminine adornment—with the exception of the occasional sailor. More recently, pierced ears for men started to become fashionable with hippies and gay men in the 60s, punks and artists in the 70s, and musicians and actors in the 80s. By the 90s and the new millennium, they became commonplace in the culture (or counterculture) for both men and women.
The process of how earlobes are pierced has evolved just as much as who wears earrings has. In the not-so-distant past, ear piercing was commonly done at home with ice and a sewing needle. Ear piercing guns were later developed (originally for use by doctors), but soon they found their way into retail stores and piercing kiosks at malls across America. While the majority of those with ear piercings in the U.S. have had them done with a piercing gun, this is arguably not the best method to use. It is generally agreed by body art professionals that the cleanest, quickest, and safest way to pierce ears is the same way we perform all of our piercings: with a sterile, single-use, disposable needle and aseptic technique.
While the jewelry choices that can be worn after healing are almost infinite, jewelry choices for initial piercings are a little more limited. We will usually suggest an 18 gauge or 16 gauge press-fit barbell. These have a wide variety of “fronts,” from plain silver balls to faceted stones and even gold with diamonds. If you are planning on stretching later, earlobes can initially be pierced as large as 8 gauge—or, in some cases, even larger—using single-flared glass plugs. Come in and talk to one of our piercers about larger-gauge piercing options.
Earlobe piercings usually take six to eight weeks to heal. After that time, jewelry may be changed, but they should not be left empty at all during the first year, as there is still some risk that the piercing may close. During the first few months, you will want to clean them once a day. (For more information, check our aftercare.) And as with any fresh piercing, you will want to keep dirty hands, hair, hair products, telephones, and other people’s mouths away from the area. Lastly, earlobe piercings are extremely easy to stretch, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for jewelry. Check our stretching section for more information.
Starting at / $135
Minimum Age: | 14 | |||||
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Service Fee: | $60 | |||||
Starter Jewelry: | $75 | |||||
Heal Time: | 8 weeks | |||||
Downsize Time: | 6 Weeks | |||||
Typical Jewelry Gauge: | 18g | |||||
Paing Level: | THIS IS THE PAIN LEVEL | |||||
Starting Total: | $135 |
- Jewelry Options: Initial jewelry for basic lobe piercings is usually an 18 gauge or 16 gauge press-fit barbell. You can choose from a wide variety of fronts, including plain silver balls, faceted stones, and gold with diamonds.
- Healing Time: The initial healing period for a basic lobe piercing is typically 8 to 10 weeks.
- Procedure: Basic lobe piercings are performed with a sterile, single-use, disposable needle and aseptic technique, ensuring the cleanest, quickest, and safest process.
Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth healing process and to prevent complications. Here are some key tips:
- Clean Regularly: Gently clean the piercing once a day with a saline solution or a piercing aftercare product recommended by your piercer.
- Avoid Irritants: Keep the area free from makeup, hair products, and other potential irritants. Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands.
- Be Mindful: Avoid touching or playing with the jewelry to reduce the risk of infection and irritation.
- For detailed aftercare instructions, please click HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Common Concerns:
- Swelling: Swelling is usually minimal but can be managed with ice and ibuprofen if needed.
- Jewelry Changes: After the initial healing period, you can change your jewelry, but avoid leaving the piercing empty for the first year to prevent it from closing.
- Stretching: Earlobe piercings are easy to stretch, opening up many options for larger gauge jewelry. For more information on stretching, visit our stretching section.
- Does it hurt?:
- The pain level for earlobe piercings is relatively low, usually described as a quick pinch. Pain tolerance varies from person to person, but most people find the procedure to be very manageable.
- How Soon Can I Change My Jewelry?:
- The initial jewelry should be left in for at least 8 weeks to ensure proper healing. However, downsizing or changing jewelry may be possible at around 6 weeks, depending on how well the piercing is healing. Always consult with your piercer before making any changes to your jewelry to avoid complications.
- Will it scar if/when I take it out?:
- This depends on how your body heals. Most people will experience minimal scarring if they decide to remove the jewelry after the piercing has fully healed.
- Can I stretch my earlobe piercings?:
- Yes, earlobe piercings are very easy to stretch, allowing for larger gauge jewelry. If you're interested in stretching, come in and talk to one of our piercers about safe and effective stretching techniques
We also offe a Large Gauge Lobe Piercing to give you a head start, go HERE. for more information..
- Yes, earlobe piercings are very easy to stretch, allowing for larger gauge jewelry. If you're interested in stretching, come in and talk to one of our piercers about safe and effective stretching techniques