Stylish Ways to Wear Heavy Earrings (Without Hurting Your Ears)

Co-authored by Nicole Wegman

Last Updated: June 5, 2023 References

Big, beautiful, statement earrings add a lot of style to an outfit, but boy, can they make your earlobes ache. If you aren’t willing to skip out on this trend, there are several ways to keep heavy earrings from pulling on your delicate earlobes and causing discomfort. It’s totally possible to enjoy wearing heavy earrings without sacrificing comfort and safety.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Redistributing the Earring's Weight

Download Article

1
Attach a lobe patch to the back of your ear to balance the earring’s weight. Find these at big box stores or online by searching “ear lobe support patches.” Put the sticky patch on the back of your ear, covering the pierced hole. Then, put in your earring, pushing it through the patch and securing the earring-back in place. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- This product keeps the weight of the earring from pulling on your earlobe. You’ll be more comfortable throughout the day, and your lobes will be less likely to get stretched out.
- You can also use these patches if your earlobes are stretched out already.
2
Use a piece of surgical tape to hold the back of your earring in place. Cut off a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of surgical tape and roll it so that the sticky side is on the outside. Place the tape behind your ear, making sure the pierced hole is completely covered. Put your earring in, piercing the surgical tape with its back. Secure the earring-back in place. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Surgical tape is safe to use on skin and will hold your earring up so it doesn’t pull on your lobe.
- This look works best if you’ll be wearing your hair down. Otherwise, the tape might be visible from behind.
Advertisement
3
Turn earrings into clip-ons to keep them from stretching your piercings. The weight of the earring will still be there, but it won’t pull on the actual piercing itself. Heavy earrings will be much more comfortable to wear, as long as you don’t mind a slight pinch on your lobe. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can buy clip-on earring converters online, at some big box stores, or at craft stores.
- Generally, you’ll use a small pair of pliers to remove your earring from its current post. Then, attach the earring to a small hook on the clip-on piece. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Use a bobby pin and thread to hook the weight of the earring to your hair. Cut off a 4–5 in (10–13 cm) piece of thread and loop it through a bobby pin, so the ends are at even lengths. Knot the string 2 inches (5.1 cm) down from the bobby pin and trim off the excess thread below the knot. Put your earring in and hook the string around the back of the earring. Place the bobby pin in your hair high enough that the weight of the earring is no longer pulling on your earlobe, then secure the earring-back in place. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For the most unobtrusive arrangement, use thread that matches your hair color.
- You may have to readjust the bobby pins several times to get the earring to look like it’s hanging naturally.
- This is a great DIY option that allows you to wear heavy earrings without buying a new product.
5
Add an earring support chain to help alleviate the weight on your earlobe. An earring support chain is a decorative device you connect to your earring and then clip into your hair to redistribute a heavy earring’s weight. An earring support chain is functional while also adding some extra panache to your outfit. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- These work especially for special events, like weddings, where the fancier your ensemble, the better.
- Buy earring support chains online or at a jewelry store.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Dealing with Discomfort

Download Article

1
Wear heavy earrings for short periods of time to prevent too much pain. The longer you wear your earrings, the more they’ll pull on your earlobes. How much time is too much is going to be up to you and your personal preferences. Just keep in mind as you’re planning your outfit for the day that you might want to only wear heavy earrings for a few hours at a time. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Consider keeping heavy earring just for special events rather than every-day wear.
2
Remove your earrings if you’re doing something that may pull on them. For example, taking off your top could potentially snag and pull on an earring. Or, exercising while wearing big earrings is likely to cause them to pull harder on your earlobes. Young children might try to pull on big earrings. Just be mindful of your situation and take out your earrings if you’re doing something that might jostle them around. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you’re on the go, consider keeping a small pouch or baggie with you to remove your earrings and keep them safe whenever you need to.
3
Take your earrings out before bed to keep them from stretching your earlobes. As you toss and turn, your earrings could get caught on a pillowcase or just put unneeded pressure on your piercing. Take a moment to remove them and put them away before going to sleep. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Plus, your earrings' backs could uncomfortably press into your skin and disturb your sleep.
4
Apply numbing cream to your earlobes to help manage discomfort. Numbing cream, like over-the-counter lidocaine, might help alleviate soreness so that you feel more comfortable. Always read the instructions and follow them carefully. ^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- You can buy numbing creams at your local drugstore.
- Don’t use a numbing cream if you have an open sore on your ear.
5
Switch to lightweight statement earrings so your ears are less likely to hurt. If you love the look of heavy earrings but hate how they feel, look for big earrings made from hollow wood or lightweight materials. You’ll get the look you want without sacrificing on comfort. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- It helps if you can shop in person for earrings so you can touch them and feel how much they weight.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about getting a filler injection in your earlobes. This can help firm up your lobes so they handle the weight of earrings better. ^{[12]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
There is a small surgical procedure called otopIasty that you can have done if your lobes are really loose or torn. Talk to your doctor if you think this might be right for you. ^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If your earlobe is red and swollen and you’ve developed a fever, give your doctor a call. It’s possible your earlobe is infected. ^{[14]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

Log in

Stylish Ways to Wear Heavy Earrings (Without Hurting Your Ears)

Steps

Redistributing the Earring's Weight

Dealing with Discomfort

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories