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Hey I'm Meghan. Hi I'm Holland. We're here with About.com, and today we're going to show
you how to do at-home ear piercing with a piercing needle.
Ear piercing doesn't require many supplies and is relatively easy to do. However, it
is easier if a friend helps you.
What You'll Need for Ear Piercing
Piercing needle Ice
Piece of cork a stud
Cotton balls
To sanitize everything, you will also need soap and rubbing alcohol. Make sure the needle
you will be using is unused and in sterile packaging. If the needle becomes unsterile,
it can be partially sanitized again by holding it over an open flame and then wiping it down
with rubbing alcohol. Also, make sure to clean the stud you'll be using by soaking it in
a small bowl of rubbing alcohol.
Before Piercing, Make Sure Hands are Washed
To start, the hands of the piercer and the ear being pierced must be washed.
Numb Skin with Ice
Place ice on the area to be pierced for 30-40 seconds, to numb the skin; this will make
the piercing easier for everyone. When done, wipe the ear with rubbing alcohol.
Then, figure out exactly where the hole will be made, making sure to align the hole with
a piercing in the other ear if necessary.
Just to be clear, ear piercing involves putting a needle through an ear, so there will be
blood. If the person being pierced has any blood clotting issues or blood born diseases
the piercing should be done by a professional.
Now you are ready to pierce an ear.
Place Cork Behind Ear
Place the piece of cork behind the ear to be pierced in order to give the needle something
to push against, and stick the needle through the ear.
Once through, wiggle the needle to open up the hole and leave it at an angle in the ear.
Insert Ear Stud
Place the stud through the hollow end of the piercing needle and pull the needle out the
other side.
Lobe piercings don't usually have a lot of blood, but with cartilage piercings their
can be some. Wipe away any blood present using one of the cotton balls doused in rubbing
alcohol.
New piercings are to be left in the ear 4-6 weeks (9 weeks for cartilage) and must be
properly cleaned everyday and taken care of throughout the process.
Thanks for watching. For more information, please see About.com.