Ear piercing opinions

[BowlofWhales]

Heyyy peeps! So I'm thinking of maybe getting my ear lobes pierced for the first time (I'm a guy) and I was just wondering what you people think of guys with pierced ears. Also if you've had your ears pierced I was just wondering how much you think it will cost at a tattoo parlor because I've heard bad things about Claire's/ Icing/ etc, but I don't have much money (will have to wait a little while). Can I post a pic and you can judge if I would look good/ bad/ horrible/ monstrous/ repulsive? :) Thanks and have a good one

EDIT: How do I post a pic? Does it need to be online to link it or something?

[SethfromMI]

well I pierced mine :). as far as cost, it really depends on place, location, etc. it should not be too bad though. and if you decide to post a pic, I will try to give you my opinion

[Jim1]

I think guys can look good with earrings, one or both ears, but avoid the big gaudy jewels and the fat large
gauge hoops and the stretching. I don't care for cartilage piercings either.

Also I think the dangers of Claires, Walmart, etc. are overstated. Whether you get infected is
probably more a matter of how well you take care of your ears, not of how the piercing is done.

[JamesSuperBoy]

Why not lots do - maybe best if you can ask others where they got thiers done and I guess places and web sites show prices maybe a sign or something.

[Magenta]

I think it's perfectly fine on guys.

As for pricing, you're paying for the jewelry, not the piercing itself (although the method does come into the price slightly). So when I got my ears pierced the first time, it was somewhere around $45, I think, and they were real gold studs. However, it was done at one of those places that used a piercing guns.

My nose piercing was around $90 but it was closer to $60 for the piercing and the rest was some other stuff I got at the same time.

Also I think the dangers of Claires, Walmart, etc. are overstated. Whether you get infected is
probably more a matter of how well you take care of your ears, not of how the piercing is done.

If you get it done, go some place that uses a needle. You don't risk infection nearly as much. A needle pierces straight through the cartilage whereas the gun is more like forcing a sharp object through very roughly. There are Youtube demonstrations of the difference. Basically, the guns that are used at Claire's and other stores with a reputation for poor piercings, rip apart the skin in such a way that makes it more difficult to heal and more prone to infection. So even if it's pricier, a parlour that uses a needle is worth the cost. Healing should not actually require much care at all so it very much has to do with the method rather than the aftercare (but that is still important).

Not to mention they're generally more sanitary.

[Ouija]

If you get it done, go some place that uses a needle. You don't risk infection nearly as much. A needle pierces straight through the cartilage whereas the gun is more like forcing a sharp object through very roughly. There are Youtube demonstrations of the difference. Basically, the guns that are used at Claire's and other stores with a reputation for poor piercings, rip apart the skin in such a way that makes it more difficult to heal and more prone to infection. So even if it's pricier, a parlour that uses a needle is worth the cost. Healing should not actually require much care at all so it very much has to do with the method rather than the aftercare (but that is still important).

Not to mention they're generally more sanitary.


This exactly!! I made the mistake of going to mall kiosks more than once and you'd probably be surprised how many of the workers aren't even qualified. I personally felt a lot better about getting my piercings at a parlour because they know what they're doing and will send you off with all the information you need. They also called in to check if I was having problems, which made it more than worth it. Given it's not something you can typically just shell out money from your pocket for, but if you want it done correctly then that would be the best way to go.

[Magenta]

This exactly!! I made the mistake of going to mall kiosks more than once and you'd probably be surprised how many of the workers aren't even qualified. I personally felt a lot better about getting my piercings at a parlour because they know what they're doing and will send you off with all the information you need. They also called in to check if I was having problems, which made it more than worth it. Given it's not something you can typically just shell out money from your pocket for, but if you want it done correctly then that would be the best way to go.

I know people who have worked at Claire's and they'll let just about any employee handle the piercings. It's terrible.

Most parlours will also offer free follow-ups where someone will check to make sure everything is healing properly if you do have concerns.

[Danny Phantom]

I've pierced both mine and gauged them for $20.

[Babiole]

I've got a stud on my left ear. My long hair covers it most of the time anyway so not many people notice.

[tasminsmith]

I think as long as its not a stretcher ear piercings look cute on guys

[Bull]

Several guys at my very conservative school have ear piercings, me included. A few have other body part piercings as well. All are in good taste and look good. Go for it and just be sure to keep piercings clean and use good quality jewelry. Don't go all exotic in the beginning.

[Karkat]

Ear piercings look nice on guys. I personally got my first two pairs done at Walmart and Claire's, but I wouldn't exactly recommend it. I've also done three myself- don't.

Going to a parlor is a good idea. You're on the right track there. You might pay $10-$20 more, but you have a much lower chance of things going wrong, and as long as they're certified, you know they'll know what they're doing. Also, you can always call ahead to find out prices, etc. Most good places will charge about $40-$60 for a pair- remember, you're paying not only for the service, but the jewelery (which needs to be quality), as well as the materials and the cost of living for your piercer- they need to eat somehow too :P

[Lottie]

I think its fine on guys too, especially just one ear...