Getting my ears pierced?

[ThaliaNyx]

I haven't seen much of anything about it on this site, so I've got a few questions about getting my ears pierced.

1. Cost? I probably should just research this myself, and I probably will, but I guess I'll ask anyways.
2. When? How far into my transition should I be before getting my ears pierced? I don't want people to think I'm getting my ears pierced for the reasons guys do, so I should probably wait until I start looking more on the feminine side, but I also feel like it would be a big step in my transition and I really want to wear earrings eventually.
3. Does it hurt? I'll do it whether it hurts or not, but I want to know beforehand. Mom has said that if she'd had daughters, she'd have had their ears pierced at birth so they wouldn't have to deal with the pain. Maybe she was joking, though.
4. How many transwomen get their ears pierced? Again, I haven't seen much about this, so I don't know. I do know that I don't want a nose or tongue piercing, nor anywhere else, for that matter. Just one in either ear.
5. Where? I think I saw somewhere that jewelry stores can pierce your ears for free, or something, but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance!

[JenSquid]

I got mine pierced back this last spring. I went with a friend of mine to Claire's. I think it set me back a little over $50. The cost of the piercing is included in the cost of the starter studs, so how much it will cost will depend on how fancy of earrings you get. I got some simple 4mm gold studs. I'd say plan for somewhere in the $40 to $60 range.

I'm not on HRT or anything yet, and am only out to a few of my friends, so you can do it pretty early. I see a lot of guys with earrings these days, and although I don't know what their motivations are, I'm pretty sure it's unlikely to arouse suspicion. Do it whenever you feel comfortable.

If you go with the piercing gun, it really doesn't hurt too much. I found the anxiety beforehand to be significantly worse than the procedure itself. Perhaps it was the adrenaline? Anyway, it shouldn't be bad. Afterwards, your ears will be sore for about a day or two. After that, they will only be sore when you handle them, and even then, the soreness drops off after a week or two. Cleaning (which you need to do) can sometimes irritate them, but again it's not too bad. That being said, you may have to alter your sleeping position somewhat if you sleep ear-to-pillow. It's a nuisance at first, but you get used to it. You'll need to keep the studs in for about 2-3 months. After that you can take them out, but it's recommended you wear earrings regularly for at least the next year (but you were already planning to do that). I take mine out to sleep, bathe, and whenever work requires it, but otherwise wear small hoops most of the time.

I will warn you, though. You may find yourself discussing jewelry with women afterwards. It's apparently a much bigger bonding experience than I ever expected. Not that I mind.

[Mariah]

I haven't seen much of anything about it on this site, so I've got a few questions about getting my ears pierced.

1. Cost? I probably should just research this myself, and I probably will, but I guess I'll ask anyways.
39.53 is what I paid on June 6, 2014 at Claires. I'm not sure if I bought more than one item that day so there is a slight chance something else was in that price. I wouldn't get caught up on cost as much as the sanitation and your well being in making sure a good job is done piercing your ears by an experienced professional such as someone at a medical clinic while doing it in a sterile environment. The ear rings were included in the price.
2. When? How far into my transition should I be before getting my ears pierced? I don't want people to think I'm getting my ears pierced for the reasons guys do, so I should probably wait until I start looking more on the feminine side, but I also feel like it would be a big step in my transition and I really want to wear earrings eventually.
One of the first outward steps I made as part of my transition. I can still remember as the on lookers watched through the shop window.
3. Does it hurt? I'll do it whether it hurts or not, but I want to know beforehand. Mom has said that if she'd had daughters, she'd have had their ears pierced at birth so they wouldn't have to deal with the pain. Maybe she was joking, though.
Slight pinch if that. I can't speak for those pierced with a needle, but again I would expect much more than a slight poke and that is it.
4. How many transwomen get their ears pierced? Again, I haven't seen much about this, so I don't know. I do know that I don't want a nose or tongue piercing, nor anywhere else, for that matter. Just one in either ear.
I have no clue. It's common, but I don't believe everyone does for one reason or another.
5. Where? I think I saw somewhere that jewelry stores can pierce your ears for free, or something, but I'm not sure.
Yes they can. Mine were done at Claires but somewhere more sterile than there is a much better option.

Thanks in advance!

[Ms Grace]

I didn't feel any pain - it was if someone had given my earlobe a quick flick. Compared to the pain of electrolysis on the upper lip it is pretty much zero!

[mfox]

I haven't seen much of anything about it on this site, so I've got a few questions about getting my ears pierced.

1. Cost?

For a piercing in each ear lobe with a gun, it cost me £10 total, at a tattoo/piercing studio.

2. When? How far into my transition should I be before getting my ears pierced? I don't want people to think I'm getting my ears pierced for the reasons guys do..

It will take around 6 months before you can take the earrings out for more than a couple of hours, or the holes will close up.  So, whenever you're ready for people to see you with the piercings. 

3. Does it hurt?

It didn't hurt at all.  I'm sure it depends, but it's so fast (with a gun) I didn't even feel it.

4. How many transwomen get their ears pierced?

Pretty much every trans-women I've met who is in transition has their lobes pierced, but of course it's not a requirement (it just adds to the "being gendered correctly" equation).  I think it's one distinction that trans-women have over say cross-dressers who might not be ready to permanently alter their body or transition.

5. Where? I think I saw somewhere that jewelry stores can pierce your ears for free, or something, but I'm not sure.

I've seen beauty salon's doing it (with a free set of earrings), and tattoo/piercing studios are pretty professional.  I wouldn't recommend a place like Claire's or other "retail" outlets, where the person doing your piercing might just be the person who works the register.

Here's a tip.. When you get the piercings, they will probably use special "piercing" studs (which are meant to be worn 24/7 and have a locking back with a sharp point).   But don't worry about the style of studs they use.  After 4-6 weeks you can quickly change them.  I bought a nicer set of piercing studs and swapped mine out.   But whatever style you pick, don't take them out overnight (so they need to be comfortable enough to sleep in).

[RavenL]

I had my pierced almost four weeks ago. I got mine done at Wal-Mart I wouldn't have if I wasn't a manager. So the lady that did them was super careful about it. As for the cost it was $16USD that was for the studs+cleaning kit.

As for when to get them done? I can't say as I've already went full time but as everyone above has said a lot of guys have earrings. I was pierced with the gun and it hardly hurt at all I had a flu shot about a month before that and that hurt a lot worse. My ears did feel really weird and a little painful for a couple of hours but nothing awful. Did have a little trouble going to sleep the first night since they hurt but nothing that stopped me. After about a week it didn't feel weird to have them in and now I don't even notice them.

Just make sure clean them two to three times a day with the cleaning kit and move them around. That was probably the worst part for me for a few days. I dreaded cleaning and moving the studs as it kind of hurt. 

[Lisa55]

I went a similar but slightly different route to Raven. I brought the studs and home piercing gun from walmart.  The studs are sealed in a sterile box on the cartridge you load onto the gun.  Then after sterilizing the ear and marking up with the included pen,  you just put the back of earring in the gun to the back if your ear and gently squeeze, make any final adjustments to position as the point get close and then in it goes, all the way through until it clicks into the back and releases from the gun.

I went this route as i was quoted $20 per ear in tattoo shops and the few i tried had limited jewelry to go in (basic barbel)  Wasn't too keen on Clair's, didn't want to sit in the window, too many story's of they cant clean the gun properly, and who knows the experience of the assistant. Ok so my partner had no experience, but I trust her and it looked easy and at home we could spend as long as we liked to get it where I wanted it etc, I also felt with a sealed home disposable gun i didn't have to worry about it having been used on anyone else, and finally the studs and even including the $5 gun was cheaper than elsewhere.

The pain experience was, left ear just a pinch, right ear a bit more uncomfortable but that ear has been a PITA throughout as its the wrong hand and back to front and awkward for doing anything,  I have been putting in clear retainers when I'm around people I'm not out to, which are very fiddly but my partner can put them in the left ear easily but getting the tiny back on the right takes a bit more frustration.

After they were done, for a day or two it felt like pinching like when i have worn clip op converters, but after that its just super paranoid taking off jumpers, rubbing my ear etc that i will rip my ear off, haven't yet but .....

Four weeks in and they are barely noticeable, occasionally a bit of itching, cant wait to get dangaly ones in now though but should probably leave it a bit longer.

[lisarenee]

1. Cost? I probably should just research this myself, and I probably will, but I guess I'll ask anyways.

I paid about $75 if I remember correctly. I went to a Tattoo/Piercing place due to the bad things I had heard about the piercing guns the mall stores use.

2. When? How far into my transition should I be before getting my ears pierced? I don't want people to think I'm getting my ears pierced for the reasons guys do, so I should probably wait until I start looking more on the feminine side, but I also feel like it would be a big step in my transition and I really want to wear earrings eventually.

That is up to you. Piercing my ears was one of the first major steps in my transition. I wasn't out completely (nights and weekends only), but I had already been painting my nails for months. Did people assume I was gay? Yes, but it didn't bother me. If it bothers you, then wait until you are ready.

FWIW, I had a love for earrings since before I even knew that I was trans*. I remember playing with clip-on earrings as young as 7 and possibly even younger.

3. Does it hurt? I'll do it whether it hurts or not, but I want to know beforehand. Mom has said that if she'd had daughters, she'd have had their ears pierced at birth so they wouldn't have to deal with the pain. Maybe she was joking, though.

Did it hurt? Yes, but not too bad. Unless you have an extremely low pain tolerance, it should be a non-issue.

[EDIT] To add to the above, I did have issues early on with my studs getting caught in my wig and at night on my pillow. I no longer have this issue. I have long since stopped wearing wigs as my natural hair has grown out and my current studs (which I bought to replace the starter pair) don't seem to catch on the pillow.

4. How many transwomen get their ears pierced? Again, I haven't seen much about this, so I don't know. I do know that I don't want a nose or tongue piercing, nor anywhere else, for that matter. Just one in either ear.

I couldn't say, though I would guess it is a sizable percentage given that most ciswomen pierce their ears.

5. Where? I think I saw somewhere that jewelry stores can pierce your ears for free, or something, but I'm not sure.

Tattoo/Piercing shop. As for Free, there are some places (e.g. mall shops) that will offer free piercing with the purchase of studs.

[janetcgtv]

I have triple pierced ears(both) My 1st was in 1970 the 2nd and 3rd in 1994. The 1st was done by a friend(free) the 2nd and 3rd by Merle Norman where I was having electroyst as well I don't remember if it cost anything I believe that the pain lasted less than 10 minutes. Having pierced ears is wonderful you can have it now with a lot of men doing it most people wont care in the early years they would. Would cares what they think . so if they think you did it because of reasons guys do it. YOUR ears would be PIERCED
Don't forget to keep them clean as you do not want to get an infection. also rotate them helps prevent infection and maybe they get stuck?

Probably 100% of transwomen have the ears pierced

Probably you should create a poll here asking pierced or not, how many in each ear what age did you do it for each piercing

[Rina]

I would highly recommend spending (or saving up for) the extra money to get your ears pierced by a piercing studio rather than going to a place where they use piercing guns. It's not just about cleaning - basically, piercing guns excert a lot of blunt pressure on the ear, and even in the lobes (they should absolutely never be used for cartilage, it can cause really bad damage), using a piercing gun can cause problems. Also, when using a gun, there is no control over the angle of the piercing, and it just won't be as accurately placed as a properly done piercing.

I had my first pair of earlobe piercings taken on impulse with a piercing gun, and I was lucky - they're fairly evenly placed, the angle isn't too bad, and it healed okay. But my sister, on the other hand, seems to have some sort of permanent swelling causing problems if she wears earrings, and it has been that way for years. So she has basically given up on wearing earrings regularly. I simply won't take that chance again; I've taken a few more cartilage and lobe piercings after the first ones had healed, and the secondary lobe piercings did heal faster. In the long run, the extra money spent on going to a (preferably reputable) piercing studio is well worth it, both in respect to peace of mind, positioning and fewer complications.

[anjaq]

I would not worry so much - its not expensive at all, there is some pain, but it depends a lot on who does it - I believe Piercing Studios are better that way - but a bit more expensive. Get them whenever you want to start to wear earrings. You can also just wear piercing rings or piercing studs , which is acceptable for males too, but may be more uncommon. I love having earrings actually - but I was lazy for most of the times and just kept piercing accesoires in the holes instead of more fancy and feminine stuff, but I change them now... but really, just do what you want to do there - and who cares what other people think...