Getting your ears pierced: cost, pain and choosing a piercer

Would you like to get your ears pierced but worry it might hurt? Do you need advice on choosing a piercer? Are you wondering how much ear piercing costs?

At Solstice Bijoux, we have worked with ear piercing jewellery for several years. And we probably have the answers to your questions!

Ear piercing is quick, although the level of pain varies. Professional piercers generally use a needle. In the French studio context described here, expect to pay between 20 and 70 euros, depending on the placement and the studio.

In this article, you'll discover:

• How to choose your piercer
• Tips to prepare for your ear piercing
• Advice on looking after your piercing
• How much each type of piercing costs

You'll understand what happens during an ear piercing appointment and how to prepare for it. 

Let's explore it together!

How does ear piercing work?

Piercing is the process of making an opening in a part of the body, in this case the ears, to insert jewellery. Ear piercing remains popular in France. But what happens when you get your ears pierced?

The ear piercing procedure

You should be well on the day of your appointment. If you have a health concern, ongoing treatment or a known sensitivity to products that may be used during piercing, check with a healthcare professional before booking.

The ear piercing procedure is straightforward:

• You sit down, or sometimes lie down
• The piercer disinfects the skin where the piercing will be placed
• They mark the planned position with a pen
• They pierce the ear with a needle and insert the jewellery
• The opening is generally 1.2 mm in diameter
• The piercer cleans your new ear piercing and moves on to any others
• They give you aftercare instructions and let you leave if everything has gone well

The opening and initial piercing jewellery are approximately 1.2 mm in diameter. A stud or hoop is generally used, depending on the placement. The initial jewellery must not fit too tightly, to allow room for healing and help reduce the risk of infection. Our catalogue jewellery is intended for healed piercings, not initial piercing or healing. 

Does it hurt? 

Ear piercing pain is temporary and varies from person to person and by placement. You may initially feel a sharp pain that soon eases into a mild, dull ache lasting a few hours. Your ear may remain tender, red and swollen for a few more days.

Pain varies depending on the person, the placement and the circumstances of the appointment. A painless piercing cannot be guaranteed, and no universal pain score can be assigned to each placement (see the IASP definition of pain).

Daith and rook piercings can be more painful, while some people find lobe, helix and tragus piercings less painful.

When a piercer passes a needle through your lobe or cartilage, it creates an opening in the tissue, in a way comparable to a scalpel. A needle allows a controlled piercing, whereas a piercing gun forces jewellery through the tissue and can cause trauma. A gun may cause more pain than a needle and carries additional risks. 

How should you prepare for a piercing?

Preparing for your ear piercing may help you manage discomfort, but cannot guarantee a painless experience. What you eat and drink beforehand, and how you feel mentally, can make a difference.

First, we recommend arriving well hydrated and taking care of the basics beforehand.

Also make sure you eat a substantial meal 1 or 2 hours before getting your ear pierced so you do not arrive on an empty stomach.

Finally, prepare yourself mentally, especially if you tend to feel stressed. If you're anxious, we suggest taking someone with you, breathing from your diaphragm, listening to music and focusing on positive thoughts. Your state of mind can make a difference.

If you're particularly worried about ear piercing pain, start with a lobe piercing, then consider a helix piercing, so you can discover how it feels for you and take things gradually.

Where should you get your ears pierced?

Where you get your ears pierced is one of the most important decisions. Choosing a skilled professional helps reduce the risk of complications and gives you better guidance before and after the appointment. So where should you go?

At a jewellery shop: piercing with a gun 

In recent years, piercing with an automatic device at jewellery shops such as Histoire d'Or, Claire's or Cleor has become popular. It can seem affordable and convenient, but it is not the option we recommend for ear piercing.

Ear piercing with a gun uses a forceful mechanical action that can be rough on the tissue, especially cartilage. It can also be less precise when targeting the desired placement. By forcing jewellery through the skin and cartilage, a gun may cause more pain than a needle or cannula.

As well as being less precise, ear piercing at a jewellery shop may mean being pierced by someone without specialist piercing training and with jewellery that is not ideal for the placement.

For these reasons, we recommend a professional piercing studio rather than an automatic device.

At a professional piercer: piercing with a needle 

To help reduce the risk of piercing infections and other complications, choose an experienced piercer. An experienced professional is familiar with ear piercing and can reassure you and offer helpful advice. They perform these procedures regularly and use their experience to aim for accurate, balanced placements.

Professional piercers in the French context described here are expected to follow careful hygiene practices and to use clean, sterilised equipment and single-use instruments where appropriate.

Another advantage of visiting a professional is that their piercing equipment is suited to the procedure. Piercers generally choose jewellery lengths and thicknesses to suit your anatomy and the piercing you want. They can also select the appropriate tools for the placement.

How do you choose a piercer?

Choosing a trained professional piercer is essential to minimise the risk of complications. Avoid jewellery shops and amateur piercers who offer to pierce your ear at home for free to “practise”.

Finding the right studio can still take a little research, so take the time to compare hygiene, experience and how clearly the piercer answers your questions.

To choose a good piercer, start by reading customer reviews and feedback. Choose an experienced piercer who follows strict hygiene standards, and check any relevant national registration requirements where you live. A more sought-after professional may charge more, but protecting your ear's health is essential!

How much does an ear piercing cost?

Although prices vary by city, the piercer's popularity and the placement, in France you might allow an indicative budget of 30 to 70 euros for an ear piercing.

Ear piercing prices at jewellery shops

Ear piercing at a jewellery shop can be very affordable. In the French context described here, you may sometimes see prices of around 20 euros for both lobes, compared with around 50 euros at a piercing studio.

Unfortunately, choosing a piercing on price alone can be a poor decision. Jewellery shop staff may use an automatic device rather than a needle, which can be more traumatic for the ear and offers less specialist support before and after the appointment.

Prices at a professional piercer

A trained professional piercer will generally charge more for ear piercing. Read reviews and consider the balance between price and quality before choosing. Here is an indicative French-studio price guide by placement:

• Lobe:  30 euros each, 50 euros for 2, with a lower price per piercing for additional openings
• Cartilage: 30 to 60 euros (except for the daith, which often costs 50 to 100 euros)

Reduced prices or promotions may be available, particularly for students or for several piercings booked together.

Why do prices vary between studios?

When you get your ears pierced, the price may include the jewellery, the piercing procedure and some aftercare advice or follow-up. However, many external factors affect the total. Check what your chosen studio includes.

First, the piercer is a professional with experience of piercing ears and other parts of the body. Their training helps them work steadily, aim for balanced placements and assess anatomy, including sensitive structures. They also follow strict hygiene standards.

Next, the equipment matters: the sterilised, single-use needles used by piercers naturally cost more to use than a reusable gun. Needles are generally considered a safer approach. The initial jewellery, whether steel, titanium or gold, can also affect the final price.

Finally, the studio's location and popularity play a part. Studios in large cities or busy streets generally charge higher prices. A well-known, skilled and experienced piercer will also generally charge more.

Which parts of the ear can be pierced?

If you're unfamiliar with the different ear piercing placements, this guide can help. For this overview, the ear is divided into 4 main areas: the lobe at the bottom, the outer and upper ear, the centre and the ear canal.

The upper cartilage: helix, anti-helix, rook and flat

There are 4 upper cartilage piercing placements described here: helix, anti-helix, flat and rook.

• A helix piercing sits on the outer rim of the cartilage. Often described as relatively manageable in terms of pain, it is very popular. Once healed, we like styling it with several hoops or small studs with sparkling stones
• The rook is the small fold of cartilage at the base of the helix, above the daith. This distinctive cartilage piercing is less common and can be quite painful. Once healed, it is often styled with a hoop or curved barbell
• A flat piercing sits on the flat area of the ear below the helix. Less common, it gives you a smooth area to style once healed
• The forward helix sits near the front of the upper ear. Subtle and stylish, it can take patience and careful aftercare while it settles

The inner ear: daith and conch

Within the visible inner area of the ear, near the ear canal, the daith and conch can be pierced.

• The daith is the fold of cartilage just above the ear canal. Subtle and stylish, a healed daith piercing suits a hoop with or without sparkling stones
• The conch is the hollow area of the outer ear below the helix. Very popular but potentially quite painful, a conch piercing can be described as inner or outer. Once healed, consider double or triple hoops here

The middle of the ear: tragus,  snug and anti-tragus

The tragus, snug and anti-tragus are the 3 main piercing placements in the middle of the ear.

• The tragus is the rounded or triangular flap of cartilage just in front of the ear canal. Close to the cheek, a tragus piercing adds a personal touch and a little glamour. Once healed, it suits a small moon, star, sparkling stone or ball stud
• A snug piercing sits in the cartilage ridge beside the conch and is usually considered a more demanding placement
• The anti-tragus is a curved fold of cartilage near the lobe, opposite the tragus. You'll need patience with this piercing and careful placement advice from your piercer

The lower and upper lobe

The lobe is the soft part at the bottom of the ear. It is often chosen as a first piercing and usually feels less intense than cartilage. Once healed, this part of the ear gives you room to express your creativity with large earrings or more subtle jewellery, and it can accommodate several piercings.

Which ear piercing should you choose?

Choosing a piercing is personal. It depends on your taste, pain tolerance, previous experience of ear piercing and lifestyle. 

If you've never had your ears pierced, you could start gradually with one or more lobe piercings to get used to the sensations and aftercare. Later, you might consider a helix or tragus piercing, both popular choices, although pain and healing vary. You can then explore more unusual or adventurous placements.

Aftercare and healing advice

Looking after your ear piercing involves preparing beforehand and following specific aftercare advice. Appropriate care supports healing and helps limit the risk of infection.

How do you help an ear piercing heal?

Some ear piercings settle more quickly than others, and cartilage piercings can be more demanding. Follow hygiene guidance from the moment your ear is pierced to help reduce problems.

Wash your hands before aftercare, then gently clean with a sterile 0.9 % saline solution intended for wounds. Do not rotate the jewellery, and dry without rubbing; see the APP aftercare recommendations. 

You should also follow hygiene precautions after getting your ear pierced. Keep the routine simple and avoid anything that puts pressure on the area:

• Do not touch your initial piercing jewellery
• Take extra care with sport if the piercing could be knocked or snagged
• Do not go swimming
• Try not to sleep directly on the piercing
• Maintain healthy habits around food, stress and sleep
• Leave the choice of initial jewellery to your professional piercer. Our catalogue is for healed piercings
• Protect the piercing from snagging and knocks

Risks and complications

Without appropriate care, complications can occur, including infection, irritation, unwanted scarring and rejection.

An infection can delay healing. If you think your piercing may be infected, seek prompt medical advice and do not remove the jewellery unless a doctor tells you to.

A bump near a piercing can have several causes, including a hypertrophic scar or a keloid. Have it examined if it persists or grows: see the AAD dermatologists' advice.

How long should you keep your initial piercing earrings in?

We advise against changing your earrings immediately after piercing. The wound is still fresh and the channel can close or become irritated. Wait until a professional says the piercing is ready.

Visit your piercer to find out whether your piercing jewellery can be changed. They can fit your new jewellery and offer further advice. Sometimes a piercer may change the jewellery earlier for fit or comfort, but only after assessing the piercing. That does not mean it is fully healed or ready for our catalogue jewellery.

At what age can you get your ears pierced?

If you're under age or have young children, it's natural to wonder whether it's too early for ear piercing.

Children: check local rules and studio policy

If you're booking for a child, age limits depend on the studio and on the rules that apply where you live. A responsible studio will also want the child to agree to the piercing and stay calm enough for the appointment.

Some studios will not pierce very young children. If you decide to go ahead, choose a professional piercer who can explain the appointment clearly and carry it out carefully.

Under-18s: check consent rules where you live

If you're under 18, or your child is under 18, consent and accompaniment rules depend on location and on the studio's policy. Check the rules that apply where you live before booking.

---

You may also like these articles...