WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE 
YOU GET YOUR EARS PIERCED

By: Brooke Helton

Published: July 3, 2025 

It’s no secret– we’re huge ear piercing fans here at Cords Club.  And we’re definitely not alone. In fact, ear piercings are the most common type of piercing in the U.S.. Whether you like a little sparkle, a bold pop of color, or anything in between, the right earrings are the perfect cherry on top of your everyday style.

 

Thinking about a new piercing (or two)? You’re in the right place! Here’s what you’ll learn:

How to choose a piercer and piercing method

Insights on piercing pain and piercing locations

Tips to help you prepare for your piercing appointment

What to expect for healing timelines— plus how to help your piercing heal smoothly

We can’t wait to share the piercing essentials so you can feel confident, prepared, and excited for your next piercing. Let's get started!

7 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET YOUR EARS PIERCED

1. CHOOSE YOUR PIERCER WISELY

Your ears deserve an expert—someone who knows their craft like a diamond knows how to sparkle. Start by looking for a piercer licensed in your city or state. 

For extra peace of mind, seek out someone with a next-level certification, like one from the Association of Professional Piercers (AAP). The AAP holds its members to high standards, so you can feel confident that you’re in skilled, trusted hands.


Beyond their credentials, a great piercer helps you make choices that are right for you. They’ll answer your questions, prioritize your comfort, and create a safe, supportive experience from start to finish. Trust your gut, and don’t hesitate to talk to a few different piercers to find the right fit.

2. AVOID PIERCING GUNS

The tool your piercer uses plays a huge role in your piercing experience, the health of your piercing, and your healing process. 

Many piercers use a piercing gun, while others use a hollow needle. We strongly recommend the needle. Here’s why:

 

Piercing guns use blunt force to shove jewelry through your tissue (ouch). That impact can crush or tear the skin instead of making a clean opening and increases your risk of bruising, ragged tissue at the piercing site, and overall tissue damage and scarring. 

A hollow needle, on the other hand, creates a precise channel that’s cleaner, safer, and way easier on your body. Since the hollow needle doesn’t crush the tissue, it minimizes bruising and scarring, so your ears can recover faster.

 

Plus, piercing guns are tough to clean, so getting pierced with a reusable piercing gun could put you in contact with other people’s blood. (Gross!) Hollow needles are much easier to sterilize, and an expert piercer will keep their sterilized needles sealed in individual packages. Much more hygienic!

3. PIERCING LOCATIONS: WHY SOME PIERCINGS HURT LESS THAN OTHERS

A new piercing (and the cute jewelry that comes with it) is definitely worth celebrating. The pain of actually getting the piercing– not so much.  But don’t worry! Since piercing with a hollow needle is quick, the pain is kept to a bare minimum. Expect a sharp pinch followed by a dull throbbing. It’s over before you know it!
 

Different parts of your ear can hurt less, too.  The earlobe has fewer nerve endings than the upper ear, and fewer nerve endings means less pain– a win for sure! This makes the lobe a great site for first-time ear piercings, so keep that in mind as you consider your options. 

A new piercing (and the cute jewelry that comes with it) is definitely worth celebrating. The pain of actually getting the piercing– not so much.  But don’t worry! Since piercing with a hollow needle is quick, the pain is kept to a bare minimum. Expect a sharp pinch followed by a dull throbbing. It’s over before you know it!
 

Different parts of your ear can hurt less, too.  The earlobe has fewer nerve endings than the upper ear, and fewer nerve endings means less pain– a win for sure! This makes the lobe a great site for first-time ear piercings, so keep that in mind as you consider your options. 

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4. HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR PIERCING 

Now that you know how to choose the right piercer and what to expect from the experience, let’s make sure you walk into your appointment like a pro: calm, prepped, and ready to shine.

Talk things through with your piercer.

You should feel totally at ease asking about pain, aftercare, jewelry-whatever's on your mind. Look for someone AAP-certified, with a clean studio and a vibe that makes you feel like you're in good hands (and good company).

Take time to get specific about your piercing location.

Whether you're thinking lobe, helix, or something more adventurous, it helps to go in with a clear idea of what you want. That way, when it's time to collaborate with your piercer on final placement, you'll feel confident and ready to make the call.

Skip the ibuprofen.

Preventative pain meds may seem like a good idea, but ibuprofen-based medications can actually increase your risk of bleeding. If you want to take pain medication before your piercing appointment, stick to acetaminophen.

Know what's normal - and what's not.

Some redness and swelling right after piercing is totally expected, but it should ease up within a few days. If things are still puffy, red, or starting to ooze weeks later, it's time to check in with a doctor.

5. HEALING TIME

If you’re thinking about an ear piercing, you’d probably love to know– how long will my piercing need to heal?  While you may have heard that ear piercings take six weeks to heal, healing times actually vary quite a bit. 

A big factor that affects healing times is your piercing location.  The AAP says lobe piercings tend to heal within six to eight weeks, while piercings in the upper ear cartilage can take six months to a year to fully heal. But everyone’s ears are different. So, it’s best to check in with your piercer for a more personalized timeline. 

6. KEEP YOUR EARRINGS IN (YOUR EARS WILL THANK YOU)

We know you’re excited to try out cute new earring styles—but hang tight. The AAP recommends keeping your starter earrings in for the entire healing period. Taking them out too soon can expose your piercing to bacteria or even cause it to close. Stay patient and wait to experiment with new styles after your piercing has fully healed. It's worth the wait!

Even after healing, some piercings—especially in cartilage—can start to shrink or close within minutes. So when it’s time to swap earrings, move quickly, and avoid leaving your piercing empty for long. That said, if you love a good sparkle, we doubt you’ll forget to pop something in.

7. CHOOSE THE RIGHT EARRINGS

The earrings you choose for your new piercing make a big impact. Your starter studs aren’t just about looking cute—they need to pull their weight to set you up for smooth, effortless healing.

 

Steer clear of nickel-based metals, which can trigger allergies and send you back to square one. Instead, start with hypoallergenic materials like implant-grade titanium or surgical-grade stainless steel. Your happy ears will thank you.

 

Clasp style matters, too. Traditional “butterfly” backs can trap dirt, bacteria, and fluid against your skin (no thanks), and they’re not exactly sleep-friendly. Flat-back studs are a game-changer: easier to clean, way comfier, and designed for all-day (and all-night) wear.

GO GET THAT PIERCING: 
CORDS CLUB IS HERE WITH EARRINGS YOU'LL LOVE 

Now that you’ve got everything you need to feel confident, calm, and totally prepared— from choosing the right piercer to healing smart and picking earrings that support the process— you’re ready to go get that piercing. And we couldn’t be more excited for you!

 

When you’re healed and ready to swap in something stylish (and seriously comfy), Cords Club has you covered. Our flat-back studs are made with hypoallergenic metals, which means they don't just look incredible-- they feel incredible, too.
 We can't wait to help you find your perfect pair. 

Happy piercing! 

 

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rated by thousands of customers

FLAT BACK STUDS

Cute, comfortable, and safe for sensitive ears.

All-DayComfort

Safe for Sensitive Skin

365-Day Warranty

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Frequently Asked Questions

I have really sensitive ears. What are your pieces made of?

My team and I have sensitive ears, too! Our goal is to provide high quality, affordable, hypoallergenic options for our sensitive-eared girlies. All materials are listed in each product's item description. We use stainless steel, surgical steel, and implant grade titanium in our earrings. These materials are rust and tarnish proof and won't turn your skin green. 

 

If your ears are extra extra sensitive, I recommend giving our flat back earrings a try! They're made of surgical grade materials. Less than 1% of the population is allergic to true implant grade titanium, which makes it the best metal for sensitive skin. 

To learn more about why implant grade titanium is awesome, read this peer-reviewed article: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/12/2/214
 

Note that our gold titanium flat back studs do have an 18K Gold PVD plating. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. 
 

Is your jewelry waterproof?

Oh yeah! 99% of our earrings are waterproof. Unless otherwise stated (we have a few hand painted statement earrings), you're getting jewelry that you can get wet.

Do you offer discounts?

We are priced very fairly when you look at other brands with our same caliber of quality! We do have a monthly discount and an extra special yearly birthday discount for members of our Cords Club (it's free!). 

Do you have a loyalty rewards program?

We do! Earn rewards for such tasks as referring friends to Cords Club, making a purchase, following us on social media, and more! Find out more about our rewards program here.
 

Did you have rewards points with the old Indiecords site? Fear not! Reach out to hello@cordsclub.com with the details.

References

Aftercare. (n.d.). Association of Professional Piercers.https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/

 

Angel, E., Berry, S., Chavarria, E., Dinius, D., Frueh, R., Johnson, J., Kesler, C. D., King, P., Martin, M., Mcdiarmid, C., Misako, A., Pecorino, M., Skellie, B., Suarez, D., Szumski, B., Weber, J., & Williams, B. (2013). Procedure Manual (2013 Edition). https://safepiercing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/APP_Procedures_2013_A_Web.pdf

 

Clinic, C. (2024, September 5). What to Expect When Getting Your Ears Pierced. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-expect-when-getting-your-ears-pierced 

 

Markel, K., Silverberg, N., Pelletier, J., Watsky, K., & Jacob, S. (2019). Art of prevention: A piercing article about nickel. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 6(3), 203–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.03.001https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647519300115?

 

Picking your Piercer. (n.d.-a). Association of Professional Piercers. https://safepiercing.org/picking-your-piercer/https://safepiercing.org/picking-your-piercer/

 

Statista. (2019, December 20). Pierced body parts of Americans in 2017, by gender. https://www.statista.com/statistics/722656/pierced-body-parts-of-americans-by-gender/

Author

Brooke Helton is a freelance writer who loves covering the intersection between health and style. You can find her work in places like Forbes Health, Business Insider, mindbodygreen, Everyday Health, Market Watch, HelpGuide, and more. When she's not writing about herself in the third person, you can find Brooke catching up on her Kindle backlog or getting lost in the Appalachian countryside.

 

You can find her online here:

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancehealthandwellnesswriter/

https://www.forbes.com/health/author/brooke-helton/

https://www.businessinsider.com/author/brooke-helton

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