How to Choose the Right Jewelry After Getting Your Ears Pierced

• Pick earrings made of hypoallergenic materials (platinum, titanium, 14k gold) to minimize your risk of reactions and infections.
• Opt for small ring or hoop earrings, as they’re easier to clean and heal faster than other earring types.
• Choose stud earrings for a simpler look, but make sure to clean them thoroughly at least once a day to avoid infection.

Choosing the Right Earrings

Opt for hypoallergenic earrings made of platinum, titanium, and 14k gold. Nickel and cobalt allergies are common, so avoid these metals when you first get your ears pierced. Ask the piercer to help you pick out earrings to get the right metal. Typically, platinum, titanium, and 14K gold cause the least issues for sensitive ears. Alternatively, surgical stainless steel earrings are typically your best bet for new piercings, as this metal is the least likely to cause an allergic reaction. Talk to your doctor to determine if you have metal allergies.

Pick small ring or hoop earrings for easy cleaning and healing. Small hoops and rings are the ideal type of starter jewelry for lobe piercings and are typically easier to clean because they don't have earring backs that block your fresh piercing. Since slight swelling may occur after you get your ears pierced, these earrings won’t put any pressure on your healing piercing like studs sometimes can. There are 2 common types of rings/hoops: Ball closure rings are squeezed around a ball to stay in place. The ball has a tiny indent on each side for the ends of the ring to fit into. The pressure of the ring keeps the ball in place. Spring closure earrings are hoops or rings that open and close with a spring that snaps in and out of place. Open the spring to place the earring on your ear, and once the earring is on, close the spring. Get hoops or rings that are snug on your earlobe, as you won't want your piercing to move too much.

Choose studs for your ear piercings to avoid snagging. Studs are the most popular earrings for new piercings because they are small and cute. Many prefer studs because they don't get in the way and go with everything. Studs are fairly easy to clean but tend to get infected more easily than hoops because they have earring backs that can be tricky to clean. If you choose studs, take extra care when cleaning your piercings. Most commercial stores that offer piercings (like Claire's or Icing) use specialty studs when piercing ears. These studs usually have a sharp, pointed tip to make a clean piercing and a “safety” clutch backing. If you go to a store to get your ears pierced, pick an earring that doesn't catch on clothes. Avoid overly large studs, as this makes the piercing harder to clean.

Pick earrings that you like the look of. Earrings can’t be changed in freshly pierced ears for at least 6 weeks. So, make sure you like the pair you choose before you get your ears pierced. Picking a pair of simple hoops or studs in a solid color is ideal, as they'll go with everything. Get lightweight earrings when you first get your ears pierced. Heavy earrings could damage your new piercings, take longer to heal, and cause pain. EXPERT TIP Ylva Bosemark Ylva Bosemark Jewelry Maker & Entrepreneur Ylva Bosemark is a high school entrepreneur and the founder of White Dune Studio, a small company that specializes in laser cut jewelry. As a young adult herself, she is passionate about inspiring other young adults to turn their passions into business ventures. Ylva Bosemark Ylva Bosemark Jewelry Maker & Entrepreneur Consider buying from an independent jewelry designer. Ylva Bosemark, a teenage entrepreneur and jewelry designer, says: "It's important to try to understand where the jewelry comes from and how it was made. If you're supporting a local business or an artist who makes jewelry and has a story, I think that's important to consider when you're choosing what you're wearing."

Taking Care of Your Piercing

Make sure the earrings are sterilized before putting them in your ears. All professional piercing locations should properly sterilize earrings and piercing equipment, and most new earrings will come in sterilized packaging. If you bring your earrings to the piercer, soak them in rubbing alcohol to sterilize them.

Clean your piercings regularly. It’s important to clean new piercings at least once a day using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and a cotton swab or cotton ball. After each cleaning, turn the earrings one full rotation to avoid any scabs or infection. Make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap prior to cleaning your ears. Some experts recommend cleaning your new piercings with salt water or saline solution. This is a more natural method but can be just as effective. Your piercer may give you an after-care solution or product to clean your ears with.

Leave the piercings in for at least 6 weeks. Do not take your earrings out for a minimum of 6 weeks for lobe piercings and 12 weeks for cartilage piercings. If you take your earrings out, your piercing holes are likely to close or possibly get infected. For the first 6 months after your piercing, try to leave earrings in at all times. Fresh piercings can close very quickly, so it's best to leave in your earrings to allow your piercings to heal completely.

Watch for signs of infection. Piercings are prone to infections if not properly cleaned, so take extreme care when cleaning your piercings. If you notice signs of infection, visit your doctor. Signs of an infected piercing include: Tenderness around that piercing after the first 48 hours. Swelling around the piercing more than 48 hours after a new piercing. Bleeding from your piercing. Pus or discharge coming from the piercing. Being unable to rotate your earrings when cleaning them. Fever, especially in children. If you have a fever, it's important to get to a hospital right away, as you may have a serious infection.

Going to a Professional Piercer

Go to a professional piercing studio for the best advice. Always opt to get your piercings done at a reputable, high-quality piercing studio. Often, piercing shops are combined with tattoo shops, but don't let that scare you. The piercers in these shops are properly licensed and have a great deal of experience. Also, the sterilization process at these shops is much more strict than at other piercing locations. These piercers give piercings with sterilized needles and usually use small rings/hoops. Even if a young child wants to get their ears pierced, you can take them to a piercing shop. These shops usually have a jewelry selection for you to choose from. They can help you choose the right earrings if you're unsure of what to get. Do research on your chosen location for peace of mind. Do a quick online search of the location, look up reviews, or visit the studio before making an appointment.

Consider getting your ears pierced at a medical clinic. Medical Ear Piercing clinics are ideal for parents to take their children to get their young children’s ears pierced. The staff at these clinics are professionally trained. The piercing is also done in a completely sterile environment, making it an optimal location. Find a clinic near you by searching “medical ear piercing clinics near me” online. You must book an appointment to get your ears pierced at one of these clinics. Sometimes, doctor's offices and walk-in clinics can also do piercings, so ask your primary care doctor if they know of any locations during your next visit.

Visit ear-piercing stores, such as Icing or Claire's. These stores are often found in malls and shopping centers, usually offer free piercings with purchase, and have a huge variety of earrings to choose from. Most of the jewelry in stores like these tends to be of lower quality, so always use caution and ensure that you clean and watch your piercing closely. These stores do piercings with piercing guns and usually pierce with studs.