In the month-long period of going full time last August, I hit the mall and got pierced. No pain, minimal and momentary discomfort. The primary parts of the apparatus are sterilized, the studs that actually penatrate are one-time and sterilized. Rubber gloves were donned, even the work counter was sterilized. It does require effort for several months; I wore the starter studs all the time, followed a regular cleaning regimen with the solution provided (hydrogen peroxide is just as good) and made sure to keep twisting them to avoid grow-back and closure.
For me, ear rings were a sort of a rite of passage to girl-hood. I usually wear them. If ear rings are important to you, get pierced; if they are not - don't bother. For me clipons are finicky, and I always had pinching problems after wearing a while. Then again, they were all cheapies.
Susan Kay