Get an Ear Piercing Without Freaking Out
Want to get your ears pierced, but you're too scared? It may seem scary, but in fact getting your ears pierced is perfectly safe and not that painful. Knowing what to expect, thoroughly researching and planning your piercing, and coming up with ways to help yourself relax throughout the piercing will help you approach it calmly and reasonably. You'll find that you get through it safely and happily, and you'll wonder why you were so nervous to begin with!
Contents
Steps
Knowing What to Expect
- Think about why you want to get your ears pierced. Are you doing it to fit in at school? Do you want to be able to wear that gorgeous pair of earrings you just got for your birthday? Do you just really like the way pierced ears look? Thinking about your motives will help put the piercing itself in perspective, and remind you that the benefits of having your ears pierced will outweigh the pain of actually doing it.
- Consider the alternatives to pierced ears. Know that you can wear clip-on earrings or use converters to wear pierced earrings, if you want to wear earrings without the pain of the piercing.
- If you're nervous about getting your ears pierced, seriously consider these options. Try wearing clip on earrings for a few days to see if you like them. You might decide that you don't need to get your ears pierced at all, saving you a lot of stress and pain.
- Do your research. Investigate the health and safety hazards of piercing your ears. Consider any allergies to different types of metals you might have, as that will affect what earrings you can safely wear. Learn about how to take care of your ears after piercing them, including how long to keep your earrings in and how to clean your ears. Make sure you're comfortable with the risks of piercing your ears, and be confident that you'll be able to take care of them after they're pierced.
- Knowing about the risks is the first step towards overcoming them. Think about ways to mitigate any risks you learn about, and come up with a plan to keep your ears clean and safe.
- Choose a safe and reputable place to get your ears pierced. Make an appointment at a shop approved by the Association of Professional Piercers. Consider reviews and ratings, prices, and store hours before making your appointment.
- If you're worried about your safety, don't go to a shop such as Claire's that uses a piercing gun. The only way to sterilize piercing equipment is through the use of an autoclave, which would ruin a plastic gun. Choose a place that properly sanitizes their equipment, and be sure to use only high-quality jewelry.
- Understand the legal aspects of the piercing. You'll be asked to sign a waiver. If you're worried about the legal side and about what your rights will be if anything goes wrong, take time to read the waiver through. Ask them about anything that looks confusing, or if you have any questions. Make sure you understand the waiver and are okay with everything it says before signing it.
- Decide where you want the piercings. When you get your ears pierced, the piercer will mark a dot on each ear. Be absolutely sure it's in the right place. Take the time to look at your ears in the mirror. Consider them from different angles, and get your friend's and the piercer's input. Think about what they will look like with earrings on, and be totally comfortable with the placement of the dots before they make the piercings.
- Understand how the piercing will work. They will bring you into a cubicle and have you sit down in a chair and they will get their materials out. If any of the materials look intimidating or scary, ask the piercer about them. Make sure you understand what each tool is used for and how it works. You can also ask about their cleaning and sterilization process. Become comfortable with the tools before proceeding.
- Prepare for life after the piercing. Know that your ears might actively hurt for a little while directly afterwards, but remember that it will stop soon. Ask your piercer for written information about caring for your ears. Make sure you're comfortable with your pierced ears and know how to take care of them.
Strategies for Not Freaking Out
- Talk to your piercer. When you go into the piercing studio, let them know you're a little nervous. Have them walk you through the process, explain what they're doing and why, and answer any questions or worries you might have. They might offer you a comfortable chair or a glass of water. Chances are most of the people getting piercings are a little nervous, so they'll know exactly how to make you feel better.
- Prepare yourself for the piercing. Know that it's probably going to hurt a little, and be ready to deal with it. Bring a friend for moral support, and bring painkillers for afterwards if you think you'll need them. Think about how you best deal with stress and pain. Do you like to squeeze a stress ball? Does gossiping with a friend or playing Angry Birds help take your mind off the pain? Plan ahead and bring anything you think might help you deal with the potentially stressful situation.
- Hold your friend's hand. When you get nervous, having your friend there to comfort you is invaluable. Squeeze your friend's hand when you need to, and talk to your friend to take your mind off the piercing.
- Focus on something else to take your mind off the piercing. Read a book or magazine. Gossip with your friend, or get to know your piercer a little. Chat about your weekend plans, what's going on in school, that great movie you just saw -- talk about anything but the piercing. Thinking about other things will help you calm down enough to get through the piercing.
- Take deep breaths. Focus on your breathing to physically calm down and force yourself to relax. Breathing deeply slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure, mimicking the state your body is in when it really is relaxed. Doing breathing exercises, or just focusing on breathing deeply, will help you calm down your body, which will make the stress of the piercing much easier to deal with.
- Stay positive. Focus on the best part of getting your ears pierced -- think about how you'll look with your new earrings! When it comes to the actual piercing, don't think about the pain or the stress. Instead, tell yourself that you can do it, you will get through it. If you do this enough, you'll find that it becomes true.
- Friends are great for this. Ask your friend to help you stay positive and to periodically remind you how great having your pierced ears will be.
- Joke about the piercing. Your friend can help you approach the piercing with a sense of humor. Laughing is a key way to reduce stress and calm you down, so whether you're laughing about the piercing itself or about an unrelated story your friend tells you, it will help you relax. Joking about the piercing will make it seem less daunting, which will help you approach it more calmly and easily.
- Get the piercing over with quickly. Ask the piercer if they can pierce both of your ears at the same time so that you can get it over with faster. Know that it will be over soon, and the pain will be over.
- Celebrate your newly pierced ears. Thank the piercer and give your friend a high five. Pay, making sure to tip your piercer, thank him/her again, and leave. Congratulations, you made it! Enjoy your newly pierced ears.
Tips
- Know that you will be okay. It may hurt, but not very much, and not for very long, and all the pain will be worth it.
- Bring a supportive friend, preferably one who has piercings.
- Do your research before getting your ears pierced.
- If in the end you decide you don't want them pierced, it's fine.
- Get it done with a gun It goes by quicker. You should bring a stuffed animal with you. Get earrings that you will look good in until you can change your earrings.
- Close your eyes or look away when they are doing it or the piercer can count to 3 - 5 out loud so you know when they are piercing your ears.
- If you are scared and you are a child getting them done (like me) bring your favorite teddy to comfort you!
- Bring a friend. It is less stressful when you have a friend by your side supporting you. Plus, freaking out in front of your peers is embarrassing, so you're less likely to do so.
- If you are a child, bring your parents. You can ask if you can bring one of your stuffed animals with you to hold on to but if you are too worried you don't have to put yourself in a situation that you don't want to do.
- If possible, go with a friend who has had their ears pierced by that person so you know you can trust them.
- Don't worry. RELAX!
Warnings
- There is always a risk for infection when piercing, so do your research and take precautions to keep yourself safe.
- If you're prone to getting infections or have gotten an infection in the past ask your doctor if getting your ears pierced will put you at risk for getting another infection.
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