For those getting pierced for the first time [The Ichi]

There are many types of piercings, and they are popular accessories for both men and women. Piercings require piercing your body. Make sure you have the right knowledge and are able to pierce your ears safely.

Here we will explain the most common ear piercings.

・Piercing holes

The hole where the earring is inserted. Piercing hole.

Piercing

The act of piercing a hole.

・Earlobes

It refers to the earlobe.

・Cartilage piercing

Piercings made in the cartilage area other than the soft earlobe.

Depending on its location, it is called the tragus, helix, triangle, antihelix, etc.

・First piercing

Piercings to be worn in the first pierced hole (details in separate chapter)

·head

earring decoration

·post

The shaft of the earring that is inserted into the piercing hole.

·catch

The part that secures the post behind the ear.

・Stud earrings

Stud-shaped earrings.

A standard piercing with a post that is perpendicular to the decorative tip. The first piercing is sometimes called a "stud piercing."

・Metal allergies

An allergic reaction to certain metals.

・Aftercare

When you get your first piercing, you will not be able to remove the first piercing for 4 to 6 weeks. The newly pierced hole is like a wound.

You should continue to wear the first piercing until the wound closes and the skin regenerates with the piercing hole.

During this period, you must act with the awareness that the wound is exposed. Specifically, you must be mindful of keeping it clean by disinfecting it every day , and avoid hair coloring and perms , as it is very dangerous for chemicals to come into contact with the wound.

Also, please note that you cannot enter saunas or hot springs .

Be careful, as some places, such as pools and gyms, have rules prohibiting jewelry. Until you get used to it, it's easy to catch your earrings on something, so you need to be careful in situations where you'll be lying down, such as at the dentist or beauty salon .

It's a good idea to prepare in advance, assuming you won't be able to go to the hair salon or the pool for six weeks after getting your ears pierced.

About first piercings

The first piercing is what you wear from the time you first get your piercing hole until the hole stabilizes (completes) .

First piercings are made of materials such as 24-karat gold or titanium, which have a low risk of causing metal allergies. Longer, thicker posts are the norm for easier disinfection and to ensure the safety of the hole. Depending on the thickness of your earlobe, it's a good idea to choose a post that's about 8mm long and 1.2mm in diameter .

Due to the above-mentioned characteristics of the material and shape, the design of first piercings is limited. It can be difficult to continue wearing first piercings without them being noticeable. If there are restrictions at school or work, try using long vacations or other holidays to ensure you can wear your first piercings for a certain period of time.

Considering that your first piercing will remain in place even when washing your hair and sleeping, we recommend a simple, rounded piercing with few bumps or protrusions.

It is best to consider safety in your daily life first and choose a design that matches your everyday fashion without looking out of place.

The first piercing can be removed once the skin has healed, which takes about 4 to 6 weeks , and once you can see that the hole is dry, you can finally remove it.

To pierce your ears

There are two ways to pierce your ears: doing it yourself using special tools, or having it done at a hospital.

① Self-piercing

If you pierce your ears yourself, you are responsible for any problems that may arise. Use clean, specialized tools, and be sure to go to the hospital if any problems arise. The advantage of self-piercing is that you don't have to worry about time like at a hospital, and it's relatively inexpensive.

[Major self-piercing tools]

Piercers, piercings

A spring is used to drive the first piercing into the earlobe. The hole is made in an instant, similar to a stapler. It is not painful, but since the post of the piercing is pierced through the ear, it may take some time for the hole to settle. Prices start from around 1,000 yen per hole, including the first piercing.

·needle

A hole is made in the ear using a needle-like blade made of medical-grade stainless steel.

They are very sharp and look like a cylindrical rod cut at an angle. They are also used for body piercings. Prices vary depending on the size, but are generally in the 500 to 2000 yen range.

Commercially available piercing tools are sterilized and made with safety in mind, so if you are self-piercing, be sure to use the dedicated tools. Piercing with sewing needles or safety pins is unsanitary and dangerous, so you should never do so.

Even if you ask a friend to open it for you, they should always use new, dedicated tools. Sharing tools is strictly prohibited as it may lead to the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as hepatitis.

② Getting it done at a hospital – How to choose a hospital

Considering safety and aftercare, it is safer to have your piercing done at a hospital. Piercings are usually performed at cosmetic surgery, dermatology, or ENT clinics .

Look for hospitals that have detailed information about piercings in hospital guides or on their websites, and contact them to check their track record.

Although it is a medical procedure, it is also a fashion item, so you should choose a hospital where you can discuss in detail the desired location, etc. You can also use whether or not they offer the option of first piercings as a guideline for choosing a hospital.

Clinics that do a lot of piercings tend to have a wide variety of first piercings available , while clinics that don't usually do piercings often only offer the traditional large gold earrings.

The procedure at a hospital usually involves a consultation followed by piercing with a medical needle. For those who are worried about the pain, local anesthesia (applied or injected) may be used. Not only is there minimal pain and bleeding, but you can also receive aftercare instructions from a doctor, so it's a safe option.

The cost varies depending on the hospital, but the standard is around 3,000 to 6,000 yen for one earlobe piercing . Even if a very cheap price is listed, the first piercing may be required separately, and even if it is expensive, the first piercing and care products may be included. Prices vary from hospital to hospital, so be sure to check carefully.

There are some accessory shops and salons that advertise "Buy earrings and get piercings for free," but in Japan, piercing is a medical procedure.

Please be careful as this is illegal for unlicensed salespeople to do so.

Determine the location of the piercing hole

Once you have decided to get your ears pierced, decide on the location (marking).

Piercing holes are a lifelong commitment. Think carefully about the location and make sure you're happy with it. If you're getting piercings in both ears, make sure they're symmetrical when you look at your face in the mirror . Since the shape of each ear is slightly different, it helps to decide the location by looking at the relationship between the piercing hole and your nose.

The location is a matter of preference, but if you're thinking of enjoying a variety of different piercings, it's best to get your ear pierced near the center of your earlobe. During the bubble era when piercings first became popular, it was popular to pierce the earlobe right at the edge, but piercing it too close can cause your earlobe to tear. You should choose a location at least 5mm away from the edge of your ear.

The angle of the piercing hole is also important. The basic rule is to make it perpendicular to the earlobe, but if you have a pointed ear or a rounded earlobe, it may be better to angle the hole slightly so that the piercing is visible from the front. Again, check in the mirror to find the position that looks best for the piercing.

The position and angle are easier to determine if you use magnetic earrings, which clamp onto your earlobe with a magnet.

If possible, we recommend having a close friend check the location and give an objective opinion. Avoid marking with a permanent marker or other writing implement, as this can cause problems.

Piercing Problems

After getting your ears pierced, it's important to follow the instructions on the piercing equipment and your doctor's instructions, and to always keep them clean. However, even if you're careful, problems can still occur. Here are some common problems you might encounter.

・Metal allergies

Some people have a constitution that causes them to overreact to metals that easily dissolve in body fluids, such as nickel and chromium.

Unfortunately, if you have allergies that cause your skin to swell even with watches or belts, we do not recommend wearing earrings.

Even if you are not allergic to earrings, if you are still worried, you can check for allergies with a patch test beforehand . You can also avoid allergic reactions by using earrings made of metals with a low risk of allergies, such as titanium or pure gold. In this case, it is important to pay attention to the materials used not only for the posts but also for the decorative parts and backings.

・Bacterial infection

If care is not taken properly or dirt accumulates, bacteria can cause inflammation of the skin, leading to sores and pus.

Before the piercing is complete, the wound is exposed and very susceptible to bacteria, and this can happen not only immediately after the piercing, but even years later.

This is a common problem that can occur when you continue using dirty earrings or when you force a thick post into the piercing hole and damage it.

If you are feeling unwell and your immune system is weakened, you should be especially careful. It can be cured with appropriate treatment, such as disinfection and antibiotics, so go to the hospital immediately.

Buried piercings

Tightening the earring back too tightly or pulling the earring too hard can cause the earring head or back to become embedded in the skin.

In this case, surgery is required to remove the piercing, after which it may be difficult to get it re-pierced.

When tightening the earring back, if it leaves a clear mark, it means you've tightened it too much. This is especially important for people with thick earlobes.

- Piercing hole damage, skin tearing

Piercing holes that are too close to the skin's edge or that are too heavy or wide can cause the piercing to rip or tear.

Make sure to pierce the hole 5mm away from the edge of your skin, gradually increase the thickness if you want to use a thick backing, and avoid extremely heavy earrings.

Also, if you go into a sauna or participate in winter sports such as skiing while wearing piercings, you may suffer burns or frostbite.

In addition, piercing holes can also be damaged by external factors such as being pulled by small children or animals, or getting caught on a towel, so please be careful.

・Lumps in the piercing hole

The skin around the piercing hole may become hard and raised, forming a lump.

This is due to the body's attempt to expel foreign matter, and as long as it's not accompanied by swelling or pain, there's no need to worry too much. Granulation tissue, which can cause large, round lumps after cartilage piercings, may be caused by the wrong shape or weight of the piercing or by your constitution, so please consult a doctor.

Also, if you don't wear earrings for a long time, the piercing hole you've worked so hard to get will close up. Once a hole is completed, new skin will form, and when that closes, it often leaves a lump in the area. It will be difficult to get another piercing hole in that place.

- Development of keloids

Even if you get your ears pierced and take proper aftercare, the hole may not close and may swell up like a welt.

This condition is called keloid, and it seems to be often due to one's constitution. Unfortunately, people who are prone to keloids, which tend to make wounds difficult to heal and leave scars, should avoid piercings. Forcing a piercing can cause the swelling to spread, necessitating surgery. If you experience even the slightest discomfort, it is important to consult a specialist rather than self-diagnosing.

About second piercings

Once the piercing hole is complete, it's time to wear stylish earrings.

Even if the first piercing falls out, the piercing hole is still unstable. For the second piercing, it is a good idea to continue choosing stud earrings made from materials with a low risk of allergies.

Although it varies from person to person, it's safer to avoid hooks or heavy objects for about a year after getting your ears pierced. In most cases, you won't wear your first piercing again after graduating from your first piercing. We recommend having several second piercings that are safe for everyday use.

It's safe to say that no other accessory is as versatile as earrings.

Get your ears pierced safely and enjoy your new style.