Getting your ears pierced should be exciting, not stressful. At LABRET, we've answered thousands of questions from first-timers like you. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before getting your ears pierced—from safety to healing to jewelry changes. Consider this your ear piercing handbook.
Safety & Hygiene: Your Health Comes First
"How do you sterilize equipment?"
We take sterilization extremely seriously:
- Single-use needles are opened fresh for every client.
- Autoclave sterilization for all reusable tools (same medical-grade equipment hospitals use).
- Disposable gloves are changed between each procedure.
- Hospital-grade disinfectants for all surfaces.
Fun fact: Our autoclave is tested regularly with biological indicators to ensure it's working perfectly.
"Is piercing safe for children?"
Yes—with proper precautions. We pierce children ages five and up!
- We do not pierce babies as their ears are still so small and growing. If you pierce a newborn's ear in the middle of the lobe, it might migrate toward the sides or bottom by the time they are an adolescent.
- Young toddlers and babies can have trouble sitting still, and since we are using sharp needles and need the customers to sit still, for safety purposes, we will not pierce children younger than 5.
- Parent/guardian must be present with ID.
- The healing timeline is typically 1-2 weeks faster for kids.
Parent tip: Book morning appointments when children are most cooperative.
Pain & Healing: What to Expect
"How painful is it actually?"
Our clients rate it:
- Lobes: 2/10 (Like a quick pinch.)
- Helix/Flat: 4-5/10
- Conch/Tragus: 6-7/10 (These are typically thicker cartilage locations, and while it is quick, you can sometimes hear a slight pop when it's pierced.)
Pain-reducing tips:
- Eat a good meal 1-2 hours before.
- Avoid caffeine day-of.
- Use our stress balls during the procedure.
- Practice deep breathing (inhale through the nose, exhale slowly through the mouth).
Aftercare: Do's & Don'ts for Perfect Healing
The LABRET Aftercare Routine
Do:
- Clean 2-3 times daily with your NeilMed Aftercare Spray (complimentary with every piercing appointment).
- Wash your hands before touching the piercing area.
- Sleep on a clean pillowcase (or travel pillow).
- Come in for your free check-ups.
Don't:
- Twist, pull, or touch your piercing. Leave it alone and let it heal. The less you mess with it, the better.
- Use cotton swabs (fibers can get stuck).
- Pick at crusties (let them fall off naturally).
- Apply ointments or lotions, as they can trap bacteria and cause issues.
- Use alcohol swabs, as they can irritate the skin. Just keep it clean with water and the provided saline solutions.
"Can I exercise/swim?"
- Gym: Standard workouts are fine. Avoid exercises or machines that will cause your ear to come in contact with anything.
- Swimming: Try to avoid it for 2 weeks after your initial piercing. After that, make sure to spray with saline solution after you swim to prevent the growth of bacteria or chemicals.
- Headphones: Depending on your piercing location, you may need to get new headphones to listen to music, i.e., if you have a conch piercing, in-ear pods may be painful, so we suggest the larger over-ear headphones. On the flip side, if you have a helix piercing, over-ear headphones might knock your new piercing, so wear earbud style instead while you work out.
Jewelry: Everything About Your New Bling
"When can I change my jewelry?"
- First change: At your initial downsizing appointment at 6 weeks, we will downsize the post from an 8mm post to a 6mm post. At this point, you can change out the front jewelry for the remainder of your healing time.
- Lobes: After 3 months, you should be sufficiently healed and good to change your lobe jewelry.
- Cartilage: Cartilage takes longer to heal and is very quick to close up, so it is best to give these piercings six months before changing out.
- Special note: Changing the flatback jewelry can be tricky, so we suggest coming into the studio to let our professional piercers do your initial change-outs. The last thing we want is you to try to change it out, then fail to get the post back into your ear and have the piercing close up.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"My piercing is swollen/red - emergency?"
Normal:
- Mild redness for the first 3-5 days.
- Light swelling in the first 2 weeks.
- Clear/white discharge.
See Us:
- Throbbing pain after 3 days.
- Yellow/green discharge.
- Excessive swelling covering jewelry.
- Any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to send us a photo or pop into the studio to have our team of professionals take a look.
The LABRET Difference
Why our clients heal better:
- Free lifetime check-ups.
- 24/7 aftercare support via WhatsApp and Instagram (@labret.co).
- Downsizing is included after six weeks, along with periodic reminders after your piercing heals.
Want to hear what it’s really like? Read some of the customer experiences from our Hong Kong ear piercing studio to see how our approach makes a lasting impression.
