Thinking about getting a new piercing? Then the choice between needle piercing and a piercing gun is probably the first question you'll run into. Both methods are used to insert earrings, but there are big differences when it comes to safety, healing and comfort. In this article you'll read everything about getting your ears pierced: from the difference with a piercing gun to which piercing hurts the most and how long healing takes.
Ear piercing vs piercing gun: what's the difference?
If you want to get your ear pierced, you basically have two options: piercing with a needle or shooting with a piercing gun. Even though the gun may seem more accessible – you'll find it in shops and jewelry chains – piercing with a needle is by far the safest and most hygienic choice.
Piercing with a needle When an ear is pierced, a sterile, surgical needle is pushed through the skin. The needle cuts the tissue precisely and with minimal damage. Benefits:
- Every needle is single-use and sterile
- Minimal tissue damage = faster healing
- More precise placement, cartilage included
- Lower risk of infection
Shooting with a piercing gun A piercing gun forces the earring through the skin. It sounds quick and simple, but there are serious downsides:
- The gun is often not fully sterile between customers
- The force damages the surrounding tissue
- Higher risk of infection, scarring or prolonged healing
- Not suitable for cartilage (helix, tragus, conch)
Conclusion: If you want to get your ear pierced safely, always go to a professional piercer who uses a needle, especially for cartilage piercings.
Which ear piercings can you get?
At Eline Rosina we focus on ear styling: thoughtfully combining earrings for a personal look. The most popular spots for an ear piercing are:
- Lobe (earlobe): the classic spot, quick to heal and versatile
- Helix: along the rim of the outer ear, one of the most popular cartilage piercings
- Tragus: the small piece of cartilage above your earlobe
- Conch: in the middle part of the outer ear
- Daith: the innermost fold of the cartilage
All of these piercings call for a needle; a piercing gun really isn't an option here.
Which piercing hurts the most?
Of course it's hard to say which piercing hurts the most, since this can vary a lot from person to person. Some people feel little pain when getting a piercing, while others feel a lot. It depends on several factors, such as the sensitivity of your skin, anxiety and your individual pain perception.
Some ear piercings are considered more painful than others. Below we've made a list of ear piercings that are often mentioned as the most painful:
- Industrial piercings: This piercing goes through the cartilage of the ear from top to bottom, piercing through several layers of the ear. It's often considered one of the most painful types of ear piercing.
- Rook piercings: These are piercings that go straight through the rook, a small piece of cartilage at the top of the outer ear. It's a sensitive spot and can be painful.
- Helix piercings: Helix piercings are placed on the rim of the outer ear, and this spot is often sensitive and can be more painful for some people.
- Tragus piercings: The tragus is a firm piece of cartilage above the outer ear where this piercing can be placed. For some people this can be a painful spot.
Of course, this ranking doesn't apply to everyone: some people feel little pain with one of these piercings, while others feel a lot of pain with a different one. On top of that, the pain you feel after the piercing can usually be eased with the right aftercare. It's always a good idea to ask for professional advice before getting a piercing and to carefully follow your piercer's aftercare instructions.
Ready to start your ear styling?
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