How to Do Self-Piercing

People have been piercing different parts of their bodies for centuries. Some do so because of cultural traditions, while others just have a love of decorating their body. The most common area for body piercing is the earlobes. Most girls at one time or the other have pierced their ears, sometimes multiple times. Here's how to pierce your ears yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Alcohol
• Sewing needle
• 2 clothes pins
• Earrings
• Tissue
• Lighter

1. Place a clothes pin on both earlobes. This is done so that the earlobes will become somewhat numb and to cut down the amount of pain you might feel. The clothes pins need to stay on for at least 10 minutes.

2. Using the lighter, heat the sewing needle to sterilize it. Pour a small amount of alcohol in a container and place the earrings in it. Set aside.

3. Pour some alcohol on a tissue. Take off one of the clothes pins and wipe the earlobe off with the tissue. The lobe will probably be very red and a little numb.

4. Place the needle directly on the area of skin you want to pierce. Hold onto the bottom of the lobe and push the needle all the way through the lobe. You might feel a slight sting when this happens. You might also hear the needle pushing through the lobe; this is where you just grin and bear it.

5. Pull the needle all the way through and immediately insert the earring. Place the back of the earring on, snugly but not too tightly. Do the same for the other ear.

6. Twist your earrings every now and then. This will keep the holes from scabbing over too much. Apply either peroxide or alcohol to your piercing twice a day to clean the holes. Do not take the earrings out to clean them; they need to stay in for a week.

Tips & Warnings

• You might feel more comfortable with hook earrings instead of regular post earrings, but either will work. These step-by-step instructions will work on wherever you want to place your piercing.
• The pierced area will probably become red and slightly swelled for a day or two. A little discomfort is also to be expected. If a fever develops or the swelling increases dramatically, contact your doctor.

[megan420]

on 11/12/2008 ---ent infections and they are less likely to close up.

[megan420]

on 11/12/2008 WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG.

I'm sorry but i've been doing piercings for 6 years now and im not a professional.
but i am smart about it...

i am totally for ppl wanting to pierce themselves and i dont trust anyone BUT myself to do my piercings. i have 20 all done by me. my ears have 5 holes each in them.

and one thing i have learned is a LIGHTER is NOT a tool used to sterilize...

it is a tool used for lighting things on fire...

like cigarettes.

i rub mine down in a disinfecting lubricant like anti bacterial lotion and/ or rubbing alchohol.

safety pins and sewing needles are okay to use... but just keep in mind that they are made from recycled aluminum cans.

its gnarly... when u research it.

i try not to use pins anymore and i suggest to others to just buy the hollow needles you can get them at walgreens or any pharmacy!!
using hollow needles can help prev