Q&A for How to Get an Ear Piercing Without Freaking Out

If you don't mind shots, ear piercing will be nothing. You can do it! It will sting a little and be really warm, but it only lasts a minute.

Try not to think about it too much and as recommended, have someone with you so you can squeeze their hand, or carry an item that you can interact with.

To prep a little bit, pinch your ears with your nails a few days before. That will give you an idea on how it will feel. Once you find a place that you (and your parents) are comfortable with, have the piercer walk you through the process without showing you the needles. Most piercers have you breathe in then as you breathe out they put the needle through.

Yes. For most people, shots are more painful than getting their ears pierced.

Try to concentrate on something else - bring a device that you can play on, and don't look at any of the needles and equipment. Just distract yourself with something else at the moment. Besides, the piercer will be holding your ear tightly, it's very unlikely anything will go wrong.

It's okay if you cry! Most people do. Know some tricks to think about something else. Tell yourself it won't hurt, and it won't be that much pain. You can also pinch your leg, and your brain will think of that instead of the pain.

It really depends on your pain tolerance. Most people describe getting pierced as getting a quick pinch.

If you're 18, you don't need a parent's permission to get a piercing. If you still live at home, you should weigh how negatively a piercing could affect your living situation.

No. I got mine re-pierced and it actually hurts less. Just remember to keep your earrings in for about a year before not wearing them for a long period of time.

The sharpest pain will last only during the actual piercing. You can just squeeze someone's hand while it's being done. Afterwards, your ears will just sting a little for a few days or weeks. As long as you follow the instructions given to you, it will not get infected.

Big shops and chain stores are legally bound to follow regulations, so don't worry about that. Often, they will clean the needle right in front of you.

A piercing gun really doesn't hurt. You feel a little sting, but it's worth it in the end.

The farther up your ear you pierce, the more pain that comes with it. If you're talking about getting your ears repierced after the holes closed up, that should actually hurt a little less than it did the first time.

Generally not, but it's not really painful enough to need numbing. It's just a quick pinch.

No, it's never too late to get a piercing. It hurts for a moment, and a lot less than you'll expect.

It will close naturally after a while if you don't leave the piercing in your ear.

Yes. The pain is the same, but every person has a different pain tolerance in each part of their body.

It won't! It's just like with adults: don't worry, you will make it through it and come out with pierced ears!

Go to a professional piercer that uses a needle instead of a gun. There is no sound involved with the needle and it is actually much less painful and healthier for your ears. The professional should also hold your ear steady with their hand or a clamp so even if you jump, your ear will stay steady.

Kind of, but it's much quicker than an injection. Though it might sting a bit afterwards.

A piercing done with a needle will not make a loud noise. The piercer will warn you before they do anything to your ear, so it won't be sudden. The only time you might hear a noise when getting your ears pierced is if your piercer uses a gun to pierce your ears. If a piercer does use a gun, you should probably find a better place to get your piercing done, preferring one that cares about hygiene.

With a piercing gun, it's all in one go, and it is better for places in your ears which don't have bones. With a needle, you can have it done on any part of your ear, but you have to go through the process of getting the needle in and getting it out. With the gun, the pain is over much more quickly.

It can feel about the same. But when you get your ears pierced, you get very pretty earrings! Plus, your earlobe doesn't have as many nerves in it as the places you normally get shots, so it won't be as painful.

It all depends on where you go. They used a gun on my sister when she was 7. You can ask them beforehand if you want.

Speak with a calm voice and explain clearly why you want it. Be wiling to take no for an answer. If you're not old enough to get a piercing for yourself, you just have to accept that your parents have control over that decision. If they do say no, don't whine about it. That only shows them that you're not mature enough to handle a piercing.

You'll have to wear your starter earrings first, to make sure you don't get an infection, because those earrings are made out of hypo-allergenic material. After a couple months, you should be able to change your earrings.

Everybody says that it just feels like a prick and it's warm. You'll go through a lot worse pain in your life, and the piercing will look good and be so pretty!

A gun is more intense, but quicker. A needle is less intense, but longer and slower.

It only takes a few seconds. Your ears will sting for a few minutes afterward, but it's nothing too horrible.

It depends whether or not you want to use a gun or needle. If you want to use a gun you could go to somewhere like Claire’s. If you want to use a needle, you should go to a tattoo shop, as they use needles for piercings there.