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Tag: ear piercings

  • Helix piercings are having a moment – here’s what you need to know

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    When you are cleaning, it’s important to stick to saline solution. Your piercer should supply you with a saline spray to take home (the pro piercers we spoke to all recommended NeilMed, which you can get on Amazon). The salt helps pull out excess discharge while increasing blood circulation. You’ll want to avoid rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or ointments, as they can dry out and further irritate your piercing, which will extend the total healing time.

    Beizsley adds that its important to dry the ear after applying your saline solution, by gently dabbing it with a piece of dry, non-woven gauze or kitchen paper. “A new wound that is warm and moist is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” she explains. “You can even dry off your piercing with a warm hairdryer, but make sure the piercing is clean, as you could drive bacteria further into the wound. A Dyson is the most hygienic option, if you happen to have one.”

    How do you sleep with a helix piercing?

    “Standing up!” jokes Lamb. “I’m joking, of course. I generally ask my clients to use a travel pillow, the ones you wear on flights around your neck. But when caring for your ear, put your ear in the centre of the hole, instead.” He also asks clients to wash the pillow beforehand, as it’s hard to keep things sanitary while traveling. “You could also try sleeping on your other side, or on your back, but that can be a hard habit to get into.”

    The best travel pillows for long haul flights so you can *actually* sleep well on planes

    What should I do about an infected helix piercing?

    “Some people confuse irritation with infection. While some irritation is common, with the right aftercare, there shouldn’t be much infection,” says Freed. “It’s totally normal to experience slight bleeding, ‘crusties’ (dead skin cells), swelling, tenderness, itching, bruising, or soreness. These symptoms will typically only last a few weeks.” But if you experience any symptoms outside of these, Freed recommends checking in with your doctor.

    Bond stresses that “as long as you follow good after care – no sleeping on it, change your pillowcase regularly, no swimming for the first month after the piercing and keeping it dry after cleaning – you shouldn’t have many issues.” You should also resist the temptation to change your jewellery before your piercing is fully healed.

    What happens if your body rejects it?

    “Most people can have some sort of helix piercing,” adds Beizsley, “but a forward helix is very anatomy dependent. If a person hasn’t got a big enough area there to pierce, it could migrate and grow out of the cartilage.” Lamb adds that it’s rare for a helix piercing to reject, but that the most common irritants are accidentally knocking, sleeping on it, or prolonged pressure, such as riding helmets.

    What’s the average cost?

    Prices vary depending on the piercer you use and the jewellery you purchase. For example, Astrid & Miyu charge a flat rate service fee of £20 per 20-minute appointment, which includes a maximum of three piercings. Their jewellery ranges from £35-£55 each (for titanium piercing jewellery) and £100-£195 each (for solid gold piercing jewellery). You’ll find cheaper services than that, but investing in the right piercing jewellery will limit your chances of irritation and infection. See below for the different metals options, which are more of an indication of the final cost.

    What metal is best for a helix piercing?

    It’s important to be pierced with a hypoallergenic metal to avoid the risk of infection or complications while your new piercing is healing. More expensive, yes, but less likely to cause issues. Bond recommends solid 14k gold, adding that metals such as sterling silver, gold plate and 9k gold should only be worn once the piercing is fully healed. Medical-grade titanium is also a good option and the metal of choice for Beizsley. As always, our professional piercers recommend needle piercings (no guns!), using a labret bar with no butterfly backs, until healed.

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    Michella Ore, Dominic Cadogan

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  • Planning another ear piercing? These are the 13 spots to consider for some new sparkle

    Planning another ear piercing? These are the 13 spots to consider for some new sparkle

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    Leading the charge is Maria Tash, who has created an empire out of intricate and unexpected piercings (and a celeb following that includes the likes of Rihanna, Blake Lively and Zoe Kravitz). Plus brands like Laura Bond, Astrid & Miyu, Tada & Toy, Dinny Hall, Orelia, Matilde Jewellery and Missoma all offer dinky studs, cuffs, hoops and huggies to embellish each piercing beautifully.

    So, how many piercings is too many? We say there’s no such thing as too many – so long as you go with someone reputable and experienced to decorate your ears.

    Before we dive into the trends, though, the key to getting and maintaining a beautiful curated ear is, of course, piercing aftercare. “Most people don’t take great care of their piercings until there is a problem – then they care a lot,” says Laura Bond, founder of Laura Bond Jewellery.

    She recommends being proactive in your aftercare (no matter the piercing) and using a saline solution twice daily. While salt water works fine, it’s often a faff while rushing around in the morning and in the evenings after a long day, so buying a premade solution such as NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Mist does the trick. In addition, never twist or fiddle with your piercings as this causes irritation and can increase the risk of rejection, which is never something you want.

    Now, onto the fun part — the inspiration! For those who can’t quite wrap their heads around the idea of a curated ear, we’ve got the ultimate guide to every single different positioning of your piercings. Plus, we dive into the price and the pain factor so you can start planning for your next piercing straight away…

    Should I get an ear piercing?

    As cool, dainty or provocative ear piercings can be, before you decide what type of piercing to get, you should consider if you should get one at all. You should always make an informed decision when choosing to get one, so here are a few things you should consider before deciding on which piercing to go for:

    Although there is no specific age requirement for getting your ears pierced, some experts recommend waiting until a child is at least six months old before piercing their ears for the first time. This is because the earlobes are still developing, and the skin is more delicate in younger children. Additionally, some piercers may have their age restrictions, so make sure to check with the piercing studio beforehand.

    It is essential to consider your personal health before getting ears pierced. If you have any medical conditions or are on any medications, you should consult a doctor before any piercing. Also, if you have any allergies, especially to metal, you may need to use hypoallergenic jewellery to avoid allergic reactions.

    Getting ear piercings can be relatively affordable, usually well under £100 – but the prices rack up depending on the jewellery you go for.

    Getting your ears pierced in different areas of your ear will have different pain factors. Although the sharp pain usually only lasts mere moments, you should take into consideration your pain threshold and your tolerance to needles. Of course, all piercings come with a small risk of complication, which is also worth considering.

    Ear piercings require maintenance, and it’s essential to clean the piercing site regularly to prevent infections. If you don’t feel quite ready to commit to the aftercare routine, you might want to hold off on getting any piercings.

    Your lifestyle – i.e. day-to-day – may also determine if you should get your ears pierced. For instance, if you’re involved in sports or any physical activity, you may have to remove the ear piercings temporarily, which could affect the healing process. Additionally, some workplaces may have policies against wearing ear piercings, (for example if you work with food or children) so you may have to remove them before going to work.

    7. External factors + personal preference:

    Some people may also take into consideration whether their guardians or school may have an issue with piercings. However, ultimately, the decision to get your ears pierced should be based on personal preference (as long as you’re a consenting adult of course). If you’re interested in getting your ears pierced and understand the risks and aftercare requirements, then we say go ahead.

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    Elle Turner, Tori Crowther, Sheilla Mamona

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  • Industrial piercings are back in a big way

    Industrial piercings are back in a big way

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    Just when you thought there weren’t any more piercings to learn about, the industrial piercing circles back round. Popular in the nineties, now celebrities including Kylie Jenner, Miley Cyrus and Ashley Tisdale have been spotted with the barbell or ‘scaffold’ piercing through their ears. Two piercings in one, if you’ve been considering doubling up, here’s everything you need to know about the helix focused adornment.

    Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

    What is an industrial piercing?

    Also known as a ‘scaffold’ piercing because of the bar that goes through your ear and the fact that you’re essentially ‘constructing’ a piercing, an industrial piercing is “typically two piercings through the helix and forward helix connected by one ling bar that joins them together,” says Jess Sellars, piercer and owner of The Luna Collective.

    How painful is an industrial piercing?

    It’s going through cartilage which is always going to be more painful than the fleshy part of the ear such as the lobe, plus you’re having two piercings instead of one so don’t expect it to be pleasant. But it is totally manageable and over in a flash. You might have to sleep on the other side of your face for a while though.

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    What sort of ears can’t get industrial piercings?

    If you have smaller ears or don’t have a prominent ridge, it could be trickier to get an industrial piercing and Jess admits that “many people do not have the right anatomy for this piercing.” From her experience, “the most common reason is that the flat of the ear is too curved, which means if the bar was to sit across it, it would end up indenting and causing a lot of problems,” she says. “Another reason is that the outer rims of the ears can be too thin, so it is more likely to grow out. However there are many piercers that bend bars, use other constructive pieces or simply design something to flow down the flat of the ear.”

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    Becci Vallis

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  • Tragus piercings are all the rage – here’s everything you need to know

    Tragus piercings are all the rage – here’s everything you need to know

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    If you experience any prolonged pain, swelling, or signs of infection, do not hesitate to consult your piercer or a healthcare professional promptly.

    What can go wrong with a tragus piercing?

    While it’s not worth losing sleep over the risks if you’re dead-set on a tragus piercing (especially if you use a reputable piercer and following the aftercare guidelines), there are always possible risks to keep in mind. “Some people have a very small tragus, which makes it impossible to pierce,” says Hristova. “Be advised that a piercer has the right to decline your request and not pierce the tragus if they feel that it isn’t safe for you.” Other risks to be mindful of when having any piercing done include:

    • Inflammation and infection: Good aftercare is key. Avoid using makeup in the area, touching with dirty hands, or wearing earphones that might irritate the piercing while it heals. If you have any concerns or suspect an infection, speak to your piercer or seek medical advice.
    • Hypertrophic scarring: Fairly common in cartilage piercings due to excess collagen being produced at the site of the piercing, but should gradually improve.
    • keloid scarring: An abnormal, raised scar that can spread beyond the original wound. Check for any keloid history in your family before getting a piercing as it’s thought to be genetic.
    • Piercing rejection: Usually only an issue with surface piercings, where only the skin is pierced rather than the earring sitting right through the cartilage.

    Can I wear Airpods with a tragus piercing?

    During the healing process (which for a tragus can take between 6-12 months), Airpods should be avoided as they can irritate the piercing and lead to infection. “Tragus piercings may not be practical for people who use in-ear headsets or apparatus regularly for work,” adds Collins.

    Can I sleep on a tragus piercing?

    You will want to avoid sleeping on the tragus piercing for the first three to four months, while it heals. Side sleepers should consider getting a special pillow that has a cut-out section for your ear.

    What materials are best for tragus piercings?

    Below are the metals considered safe for piercing jewellery:

    • Implant-grade titanium: strong and biocompatible, it doesn’t contain nickel, which some people can be sensitive to.
    • Implant-grade stainless steel: Still considered a safe option, but is likely to contain some nickel, which can cause sensitivity in some people.
    • Gold and platinum: Safe and hypoallergenic. Spend more on solid gold rather than gold plating if you can, which can flake off and cause infection.

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    Cassie Powney, Sheilla Mamona

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  • Here is everything you need to know about getting your first daith piercing

    Here is everything you need to know about getting your first daith piercing

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    The theory suggests that the piercing affects a branch of your vagus nerve, which runs from your brain down into your body. According to Web MD, the constant pressure of the earring on this one spot is supposed to work sort of like acupuncture to block pain receptors in your body. Since acupuncture is sometimes used as a migraine treatment, and therapy may include your therapist pressing on a tiny spot on your ear near the place where daith piercings are done, then logically, the daith piercing would do the same.

    However, there’s no way to be sure that your piercing is made on that exact spot. Some people suggest this theory to be more placebo, but many people who have them seem to have got daith’s claim that it has helped them.

    Is daith or tragus better for migraines?

    Since all evidence around migraines being cured with piercing are anecdotal, it’s hard to say. However, according to Healthline, “some people believe that tragus piercings could work in the same way to help relieve migraine pain.”

    Is it hard to sleep with a daith piercing?

    Some people have reported that sleeping directly on your daith piercing can be a little painful, so it’s best to not apply pressure on it. It’s also important to remember that new piercing shouldn’t be pressured until fully healed, so most people can sleep on a daith piercing within a couple of months. Ara says: “We don’t recommend sleeping on cartilage piercings, so a travel pillow can be handy.”

    Do daith piercings get infected easily?

    All piercings, including the daith are constantly exposed to bacteria from your hair, hats, phone, accessories, other piercing and more. This means they are consistently in risk of infection. Healthline experts say: “There’s also less blood flowing to this part of the ear, which can prolong the healing process. A typical daith piercing can take anywhere from four to 12 months to heal, and you’re more likely to experience infection during this time.” However, keeping up with cleanliness and keeping any trauma away from the piercing will reduce the risk of infection.

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    Can your body reject a daith piercing?

    Our bodies have a special way of combating infections, and it does so by detecting foreign materials, entities and bodies. When we pierce our ears, there is a foreign object piercing through the skin, so the antibodies can decide to reject it, especially if they are pierced too shallow. When a piercing begins to reject, you will notice that the amount of skin that is holding the jewellery in is starts to become thiner and tighter than before, around or above the jewellery, and the piercing noticeably starts migrating and moving away from your body.

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    Sheilla Mamona

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