[RosieLouise]

Hello, I got the top of my right ear pierced last week and I'm really worried that its not going to heel properly ! I've had it done woth a gun and also had a silver stud in it and now I've read that that's the worst thing to do when you get it done! Helppp! I would appreciate your response, thanks xx

[nauticalstar420]

First of all, don't panic! Everything will be okay with the proper care. :)

For future reference, don't get pierced with a gun. They are unsterile, they can cause your cartilage to shatter, and the "piercers" who use them are undertrained. I myself have been pierced with a gun and had no problems, but even though I had no problems I will never use that method for piercing again. They can potentially cause some problems.

Another example of how undertrained these people are is, you should have been pierced with an earring with a surgical steel post, not silver. Silver has a high rate of allergic reactions, where surgical steel does not.

As far as it not healing properly, what makes you think it won't? Do you have any symptoms at all, or are you just worried?

To ensure that it heals properly, clean it once a day, not any more than that. Cartilage piercings take a while to heal, and the more you clean them, the more you prolong that healing time. Every time you clean it, the piercing has to start the healing process all over again. Keep cleaning to a minimum. If you are using salt water or H2Ocean, keep that to a minimum as well. Salt is very drying to the piercing and the skin around it, and if overused can cause severe irritation. I personally do not use or recommend salt water at all, but of course, to each his own.

Don't change the jewelry for at least 6-8 weeks. This amount of time gives the piercing a chance to stabilize, so when you change the jewelry, the chance of irritation is lowered. Don't play with it, and before you clean it, wash your hands. Dirty hands spread bacteria.

When you change it, make sure the earring has a surgical steel, or hypoallergenic gold post. This reduces the risk for an allergic reaction.

Good luck! :)

[RosieLouise]

Thanx :) Yeh my mum had hers done a few years ago and after 6 months it never healed, so i am a bit worried, but thanx for the advice :)

[nauticalstar420]

You're welcome! Just make sure you take care of it really well and it will heal up just fine. :)