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If you love the look of pierced ears, or are tired of having to wear a limited selection of clip-on earrings, you are probably considering getting your ears pierced. It is best to get this done by a professional. However, if you are very careful and take a few precautions, you can learn how to pierce your own ears successfully.
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Introduction
Do you long to bedeck your ears with silver hoops, golden fringes or glittering gemstones? Piercing your ears will allow you to don a full range of jewelry beyond the world of clip-ons. Truly, it is best to have your piercing done by a professional to minimize infection and get more perfect results. If this is not an option for you, however, it is fairly simple to do it yourself. If you are careful and practice good hygiene, you will be able to safely pierce your own ears. -
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Step 1: Assemble Materials
- You will need the following items:
- Ice (optional).
- Flame from a candle or lighter.
- Rubbing alcohol or iodine.
- Piercing needle or safety pin.
- A Marker.
- Earrings (studs are recommended).
(Creative Commons photo by Anna Carol)
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Step 3: Pierce
- Use ice to numb earlobes if desired.
- Use the marker to dot the area on your ears that you want to pierce.
- Place head of needle or pin on the dots you marked, and push smoothly through your ear.
- Leave in for five minutes or so.
- Carefully remove the needle or pin, and insert an earring.
- Clean the ear with alcohol.
- Repeat with other ear.
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Step 4: Maintenance
- You will need to keep the original earrings in for four to six weeks before removing. Otherwise, the holes may close up. Clean your ears with alcohol at least once a day to avoid infection, and turn the earrings occasionally to prevent skin from growing over them. Now enjoy your newly pierced ears!
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Conclusion
- While it is always optimal to go to a professional, it is possible to pierce your own ears at home. Sterilization is key, for if you don't keep your ears clean you are likely to develop a nasty, painful infection. Just be careful and follow the steps outlined above, and you may soon be able to wear your choice of beautiful earrings.

