Trends come and go, but ear piercings have always stayed popular. And while plenty of people worry about the discomfort, almost everyone agrees on one thing: it can be uncomfortable. You may also be asking yourself which piercing is the most painful, and where ear piercing pain really sits on that scale.
Let us talk about the kind of pain you can expect when you get your ears pierced for the first time.
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Does an Ear Piercing Really Hurt?
Let us be honest: getting your ears pierced is going to hurt. There is no way around it. Having your earlobe pierced with a needle does hurt.
Some people will tell you it only stings a little, while others might say it really hurts. But nobody will tell you that getting your ears pierced does not hurt at all.
How Intense Is the Pain?
The pain shows up in two forms:
- The pain while the piercing is being done, which is usually short.
- The duller ache that follows during the healing process.
To give you an idea, lobe piercings are considered the least painful compared with other types of piercings.
People often say that lobe piercings are far less painful than cartilage piercings.
What to Expect at the Piercer
- Every shop is a little different, but first you get to meet your piercer and choose the earrings you want. This is easily the best part of the process.
- After that, you sit down, get comfortable, and the piercer marks the spots where you want your piercings.
- You can check the marks in a mirror to make sure you are happy with the placement.
- Then it is time for the piercing. This is the more nerve-racking moment, but you can relax. Millions of people (probably billions) have been through exactly what you are going through, and it all turns out fine.
Take a look at our Surgical Steel Helix Ring for a simple, discreet cartilage look.
Once the procedure is over, you will get an explanation of how to care for your piercing, and a chance to ask any questions you might have.
New piercing? Keep it clean from day one with our step-by-step guide on how to disinfect a piercing.
How Long Will the Pain Last?
As we mentioned, the sharp pain that comes with the piercing itself fades very quickly, in a matter of seconds. That sharp pain disappears fast and is replaced by a much duller ache.
The dull ache is often described as a throbbing sensation. It lasts a few hours and usually goes away before you even notice. Either way, you will stop thinking about it after a while.
Once the piercing is done, the pain may fade but can be replaced by general tenderness in the pierced areas. You will really only notice it if something bumps your ears.
You do need to do your best to care for your new piercing, because if you are not careful it is fairly easy to get an infection. An infection often comes with pain, and depending on how quickly you treat it, you could be looking at an extra week or two of discomfort. Clean your piercing regularly and try not to touch the area with dirty fingers.
What Factors Can Influence the Pain?
Your experience will be more or less painful depending on a range of factors.
Some of these factors are up to you:
- What is your personal pain tolerance?
- What are you expecting from the experience?
- Are you bracing for a lot of pain, or are you feeling confident?
Other factors matter too. For example, whether you choose a more experienced professional or not shows in the technique and gentleness of their work.
Piercings also hurt more or less depending on the area you want. A lobe piercing, in theory, will hurt less than tragus piercing pain.
The condition of your skin, how rested you are, and even your alcohol or drug use can all affect how much pain you feel during your piercing. Finally, a numbing cream can be used before the procedure to help take the edge off.
How to Cope With the Pain
Here is some good news: there are plenty of ways to prepare for and manage the pain. For example:
- Let your mind wander by thinking about pleasant things. It is a great tactic for minimizing the pain you feel.
- To do that, listen to music or talk to a friend or family member.
- Try to think positively. Remember that millions of people have done this before you.
- Being scared can make the pain feel worse. So read up on the process in advance and picture the final result.
- Control your breathing during your appointment and make sure you have eaten something before you go. That will keep you from feeling lightheaded.
Conclusion
While all piercings hurt, ear piercings are generally among the least painful types, especially lobe piercings. You will certainly feel something when your lobes are pierced, but there is really nothing to be afraid of.
Choosing an experienced piercer will help you feel relaxed and confident. And if you are relaxed, you will handle the pain better and end up thinking it was not nearly as bad as you imagined.
