Ear Piercing Guide

Earrings are a great accessory, but the process of getting new piercings can be intimidating, and there may be
some questions. In our ear piercing guide, find all the information you’ll need on the different types of
ear piercings, the entire process including aftercare, and some common questions earring lovers have asked.

Types of Ear Piercings

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 in this ultimate ear-piercing guide.

Auricle

Cartilage

Multi Lobe

Spider Bite

Traditional

Trilogy

Auricle

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.

Cartilage

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.

Multi Lobe

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.

Spider Bite

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.

Traditional

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.

Trilogy

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.

Piercing Options

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 are the stainless-steel Claire’s Exclusive options, which are a stylish addition to any look.

Piercing Instruments vs. Needles

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. Here at Claire’s, your health and safety are important, which is why we strictly use piercing instruments with single-use cartridges.

How Much Space Goes Between Multiple Piercings?

If you’re getting a second piercing or multiple piercings, the spacing between piercings depends on the individual. The priority is ensuring there is space for the safety backs. You can always ask your Piercing Specialist for their advice on earring placement, and they’ll help recommend the best placement for you during your appointment.

What to Look for in a Good Ear Piercing Specialist

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 Certified 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.

Best Earrings for Initial Piercings

We have many ear piercing kits perfect for initial piercings. Choosing the right kit depends on your needs, and if you have any questions, Claire’s Piercing Specialists will help you choose! To ensure the piercing heals properly, each kit comes with our Rapid™ 3 Week After Care Cleanser or our standard Ear Care Solution.

Ear Piercing Care

It’s important that all the ear piercing care instructions are followed for all piercings. 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. The notch at the end of the post will help guide the customer 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. Keep your new piercing free from soap, perfume, or hair and cosmetic products until fully healed. We also suggest that you avoid swimming for 24 hours after your new piercing. That’s it! Following these instructions will help keep yours or your child’s piercings healing well.

How Do You Avoid Infection?

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.

If you experience any swelling, redness or find the piercing painful after 24 hours, please seek medical advice immediately.

When Can I Change My 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.

Claire’s Ear-Piercing Guide

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!

Frequently Asked Piercing Questions

Our ear-piercing process is simple and easy. Claire’s Piercing Specialists will first have a consultation with you. They will walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have. Then, our piercing specialists will help you select your earrings, position your piercing, sanitize the equipment, and then use our single-use sterile cartridges that require no needles. Finally, your piercing specialist will coach you on aftercare and sanitize all piercing equipment again after the piercing is completed.