How to Pierce Your Ears at Home

Since I was in high school I've pierced my ears 17 times are home. During each of my attempts I learned more about piercing ears and eventually learned the perfect technique to get it done. For some people, getting their ears pierced with a gun is the way to go. But others are the at home type. Don't wing it if you'd like to do an at home piercing. You can cause infection and a lot of pain. Follow my steps and this wont happen.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• a large NEW safety pin
• cotton balls
• hydrogen peroxide
• a lighter
• ice cube (if you'd prefer, but not necessary)

1. If you're piercing your ear your going to want the earring or earrings that your using readily available. A few minutes prior to the piercing let the earrings soak in a small bowl of hydrogen peroxide, then let dry on a clean paper towel.

2. If you are a girl put your hair in a pony tail. If you have loose hairs that don't fit in the pony tail use head bands or hair clips to hold them back. You want the area your piercing to be clean and not have anything in the way. You'll also want to wash your hands with anti bacterial soap.

3. After the area is cleared soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and rub the area that you intend on piercing with it on both sides. If for some reason it foams, which can happen if there is a small wound, continue to rub it until the foaming stops. Let the area dry

4. If you would like your ear lobe somewhat numbed for the pier

5. After the area you intend on piercing has dried get your large safety pin. You'll use a safety pin for the piercing cause unlike a needle it's less likely to slip. Safety pins are as sharp as needles put have a more to hold on to. You don't want your hand to slip while pushing the needle threw. The reason why it's a large safety pin is for the width of the needle part. Once you pierce your ear the hold will quickly begin healing. I've found that if you start with the size of hole that a large safety pin causes that once you put the normal sized earring it, the hole will heal to a perfect size. So once you've pulled out your safety pin run a lighter over the needle part. Be careful and don't touch it after you've done this, you'll burn yourself! Let it cool for a couple seconds, don't blow on it to help it cool. After it has cooled run another hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton ball along it and let it dry.

6. If you want the area you are peircing somewhat numbed, this would be the time to pull out an ice cube and numb the area. Personally I found that making the area super cold made the piercing experience more painful. Kind of like what your hands get super cold then it hurts to use them. But I've known some people that a cold ear helps. So it's all personal preference.

7. Now you are ready to pierce. If you are piercing your cartilage hold the ear in place so it doesn't move. Make sure you pull your ear away from your head so the needle can go straight threw without touching anything. Stand in front of a mirror to do this to make sure the placement is where you want it and to make sure the safety pin is at a 90 degree angle from where you want to pierce. Take a deep breath and as you exhale push the safety pin threw. Let it sit for a moment, about 30 seconds and remove. Grab the earring you have on hand and insert it. and your done! if you are piercing the soft ear lobe part of your ear hold the ear lobe away from your head and stretch it apart. The thinner you make the area you want to pierce the easier the safety pin will go in. Again take a deep breath and as you release push the safety pin in and let in sit for a moment. Remove it and insert the earring.

Tips & Warnings

• once your piercing is done you'll need to keep it clean as it heals. Use hydrogen peroxide and thoroughly clean it once a day for about 2 months.

• Any piercing whether done at home or by a gun or professional, runs the risk of getting infected. Proper care is important. If you notice an infection or pain that last longer than a week you should take the earring out and see a doctor to make sure it's nothing serious.