Starter earrings should be snug but not tight, with enough room for swelling; the back of the earring (like a butterfly or flatback) shouldn't press into your skin, but allow a fingernail's width of space to prevent irritation and allow healing, with flatbacks sitting flush but not digging in. If they feel too tight, causing pain or sinking in, they need to be loosened or replaced by a piercer for a longer post to accommodate swelling.
A properly fitted starter earring (post/stud) should feel snug but not painfully tight. After a fresh piercing, some tightness, numbness, and pressure are common; distinguishing normal healing sensations from problematic signs is key.
The post of the starter earrings is between 16-20 gauge or 1.2 mm to 8 mm or can be a little less than this as the new piercings are small, so they heal fast. The thicker post will require a big ear piercing which can cause infections and will require a lot of time to heal.
The "2:3 piercing rule" is a curated ear guideline suggesting that for every two piercings, you should have three units of space between them, aiming for a balanced look, often by placing two piercings on the lobe and three on the upper cartilage, or by using larger jewelry at the bottom (lobes) and smaller pieces (studs/huggies) as you go up the ear for a cascading, uncluttered aesthetic. It's a styling tip, not a strict rule, for creating harmonious ear stacks.
The "2 3 earring rule," also known as the 2:3 ratio or 3-2 piercing rule, is a guideline for curated ear piercings that balances visual appeal, suggesting two piercings in one area (like lobes) and three in another (like upper cartilage) for a harmonious look, or ensuring three units of space for every two piercings to prevent overcrowding and create flow, often pairing larger jewelry at the lobe with smaller pieces higher up. It's about creating an asymmetrical yet balanced 'ear stack' rather than mirror-image symmetry, letting one ear do the talking.
Keep earrings in for four to six weeks
Swick said. “Don't leave this responsibility entirely up to them.” It can take several months for piercings to fully heal. Once you're able to change the earrings, you'll likely need to use only post earrings for six months after the piercing to prevent the holes from closing.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 4-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, varying by person and location; nostril piercings are often a quick, sharp pinch (around 4-6/10), while septum piercings can feel intense but brief (around 6-7/10), especially if the cartilage is thick, though it's generally considered manageable and quick to heal.
Other than to clean your piercing, avoid touching it as much as possible—do NOT rotate or twist. Spray the front and back of your piercing with sterile saline solution, 2 to 3 times a day. For certain piercings, it may be easier to apply using a clean non-woven gauze saturated with saline solution.
The "earring rule" for guys typically refers to social norms or personal preferences regarding which ear to pierce. Traditionally, in some Western cultures, piercing the left ear was thought to signify heterosexuality, while the right ear was associated with homosexuality.
Choosing solid gold earrings for your first piercing is ideal as this metal is considered hypoallergenic which lessens your chances of having issues during the healing process.
Changing your earrings at the right time is key for a successful piercing experience. Be patient and allow adequate healing time before swapping jewelry – up to 6-8 weeks for earlobes and 6-12 months for cartilage. Signs your piercing is healed include no pain, normal skin, and lack of discharge.
Gauge Size
Most earlobe piercings are made with a 20G needle, as are some nose piercings. Shop our 20g flat back earrings (aka Nap Earrings). An 18G needle can be used for earlobe piercings, nose piercings, as well as some cartilage piercings (e.g. forward helix).
A piercing is rejecting when your body pushes the jewelry out, signaled by signs like the jewelry moving from its original spot, the tissue thinning and becoming see-through, the hole getting bigger, prolonged redness/irritation, or the jewelry hanging differently. Key indicators are the skin between the entrance and exit holes shrinking, the jewelry becoming more visible under the skin, and the skin looking shiny, dry, or flaky, meaning your body perceives the jewelry as a foreign object.
The 3/2 piercing rule is a guideline that helps determine a safe number of piercings for your ear's upper cartilage, specifically the helix and flat areas. The rule suggests that for every three units of unpierced cartilage, you can safely have two units of pierced cartilage. Think of it like a ratio.
What piercings reject the most? Surface piercings have the highest rejection rate. Surface piercings such as microdermals as well as eyebrow piercings and navel piercings reject the most because they are closest to the surface of the skin.
In the past, it was recommended to rotate your piercing regularly. It was said that would keep the jewelry from sticking to your skin. That's not recommended anymore. “It's better to wait until the healing process is well underway, which may be weeks to months, before purposefully spinning a piercing,” Dr.
For women, nipple piercings and some genital piercings (like the hood or labia) are often cited as the most painful due to high nerve concentration, while cartilage piercings like the rook, tragus, and anti-tragus are high on pain scales for ear cartilage. Pain is subjective, but generally, piercings with more nerve endings or thick cartilage (like nipples, genitals, or inner ear) tend to be more intense, with nipple piercings frequently topping lists for overall intensity, notes Inksane Piercing and Anchored Arts.
Safest Piercings
Along with the nostrils and belly button, the earlobes are the safest and most common body part to be pierced.
Nostril Piercings
These piercings are slightly more painful than earlobe, lip, and navel piercings. The reason for this is because the needle has to go through cartilage, which is tougher than just flesh. These piercings are often described as a brief sting and many people experience watery eyes or the need to sneeze.
Go Slow and Be Gentle
Start by gently twisting the earring back and forth instead of trying to push it straight through. The twisting motion will help gradually reopen the hole without causing too much strain on the tissue. If you feel any resistance, stop and try again later.
It's a good idea to wait until your baby is at least 6 months old and has completed the first immunization schedule.