How to Pierce an Ear

There are many different types of body piercings, with the most common being ear piercings. Before piercing other people's ears, you must make sure that you sterilize the equipment and clean your work area before allowing the person to sit down for the procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• Piercing gun or needle
• Rubber gloves
• Alcohol pad
• Surgical pen
• 2 earring studs with clasps

Instructions

1. Clean the work area with bleach or another disinfectant. Leave enough room to place the piercing gun or needle and other supplies.

2. Sterilize the equipment in hot water or a bleach solution. Allow the equipment to air dry. You can also use disposable tools that can be thrown out after every piercing.

3. Wash your hands with a germicidal soap before touching the person's ears. Wear disposable rubber gloves to do the piercings.

4. Wipe the front and back of the earlobes with an alcohol pad or a swab. Mark with a surgical pen the center of the right earlobe, then repeat for the left earlobe. Make sure that the marks are even on both ears so that the person doesn't end up with one earring lower than the other.

5. Follow the piercing gun manufacturer's instructions to insert the earring stud and clasp. Position the gun where you've marked the right earlobe, then quickly clamp down on it to pierce. Repeat the step to pierce the left ear.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid piercing someone's ears if she has a skin condition, such as eczema. People with such conditions, or even other health problems such as diabetes, tend to have weakened immune systems which would increase the chances of a skin infection from an ear piercing.