How to Pierce Ears with a Sewing Needle

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This guide instructs you thoroughly on how to pierce your ears with a thick sewing needle. What is really recommended is that you go to a professional piercer and get it done there. This method can also be used to pierce your cartilage. Please be careful and if you suspect you have an infection, go to your doctor immediately!

Steps

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    The least recommended place is the washroom as microbes from the toilet and sink faucet are contaminated. If you'd like to do your piercings there, wipe off countertops, sink faucets, toilet; in general, clean your washroom as many bacteria and viruses usually cause infection.
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    Doing so will kill most bacteria on your hands. Dry your hands with a CLEAN paper towel and use your hand sanitizer to kill off 99.99% of the germs. You want to prevent any infections before piercing.
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    Sanitize again with an open flame for about 5 seconds then wipe off the residue. Sanitize one more time with the Isopropyl Alcohol and Hand sanitizer mixed in a clean container and leave it for about a minute. Do the same step with your earrings.
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    Take out the earrings and needle from the alcohol solution and wipe them clean with a paper towel and cover with a paper towel.
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    Use the hand sanitizer.
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    Add your numbing gel on your ears and wait for about a minute
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    Mark the place where you want to pierce your ears. Make sure the guides are even so when you pierce your ear, the holes will be even and perpendicular on both sides.
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    You do not want to pierce to the back of your head, you want to pierce it at a 45 degree angle, to the back of your neck.
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    The longer you push, the more your ear will hurt even if you use numbing gel. Numbing gel only numbs the first layer of skin.
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    Once you pierce your ears, follow through with the earring or take your needle out and put the jewellery in as quick as possible.
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    DO NOT USE PEROXIDE! Peroxide dries out the skin and will not let the pierced area heal.
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    Enjoy your new piercing!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Will it hurt when I take a shower?
    Community Answer
    No, it shouldn't hurt to shower.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I'm about to use this method for my cartilage. Any recommendations?
    Community Answer
    Don't. If you have a Sally's around you, they have cartilage-piercing kits that don't cost much.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 68
  • Question
    What can I do if I pierced my cartilage with a needle, but the hole isn't big enough for a piercing?
    Community Answer
    You can always poke it again with a bigger needle to make the hole bigger, but that could be very painful and damage your ear more. I would allow your ear to heal before attempting piercing it again.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Sewing needle
      • Nickel-Free earrings
      • Isopropyl alcohol at a 70% volume
      • Medical grade hand sanitizer (Purell is great)
      • Toxic-free marker (Do not use red or orange, use blue or green instead.)
      • Lighter or match
      • Pan with boiling water
      • Paper towels
      • Clean bathroom
      • Anti-bacterial soap
      • Numbing gel that is okay for the skin

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