My ears have been pierced since my teens with only one lower hole. I normally wear single larger earrings. I just added another hole higher up my ear & tried on 2 smaller stud earrings. They look good, balanced on both sides & I may add a third higher up. I'm experimenting some lately & just having fun.
I just wonder how many other girls friends enjoy pierced earrings? Multiple positions on your ears?
I had two in each, but the upper ones where put too close to the edge of my ear and began to tear so I stopped using them and let them heal.
Mind you it didn't help that I adored large heavy ear rings!
I've gone back to less flashy gaudy ones and I try for quality rather than quantity! I've found a manufacturing jeweler who makes the most exquisite stuff so I try to save the pennies to buy things from them.
At one time I had 3 piercings in each ear but the top 2 were to close to a nerve or often got infected so I let them close.
Cindy, ouch I bet that hurt. I've never had one tore out although I've noticed other women with lots of holes & torn ears. That is certainly not attractice. Mine looked kind of dull with just one stud & I have kind of large ears I guess. They look a little more sexy with two that are balanced. I may go ahead & add a third & use 3 small studs? They will close in if I change my mind to keep them open or not.
Just playing around some and having a little fun anyway.
Pierced ears was one of the first things I did after coming out. Just one in each ear, though.
I'm going to add a second set of pierced earring holes this weekend. It was a big, but important step to get the first holes pierced (3 years) ago.
My loving Wife gave be a nice pair of Diamond Studs to celebrate my "second birth day" (My first time in public, fully presenting as myself, in the daylight, for multiple days :o).
I really want to be able to show off her wonderful gift while also enjoying one of my many dangle or stud earring sets.
The only downsides I see are ;
- Odd looks when presenting male, (could leave in just one set)
- Trying to decide which combinations are A) Nice B) Fun, C) Sexy, Etc.
To many choices.... With 10 pair of earrings, that is over 3 million choices.
Hopefully I can get down to 4 sets (24 combinations) or 5 sets ( 120 combination) when I need to get dress in a hurry!
-Cindi
I've been debating whether to get basic piercings or not. I'd rather not draw attention to my ears because they are too prominent and I've felt wonderful now that my hair is long-enough to hide them. As to male presentation, I don't think it would look odd as long as the earrings aren't obviously female style. Years ago a male colleague tried to encourage me to do it. He felt it would make me look better as a male, ironically.
Had pierced ears since 1977 just before my 20th birthday.In those days it was left for straight,right for gay and both if you liked to bat for both sides.I had both ears pierced and never had any funny looks or abuse apart from being called a f****** gippo by a skinhead.I usually wear pearl ear rings though I have a collection of hoops and other studs.I only have silver ones,not keen on gold
I used to have diamond studs but finally pulled them out and the holes grew shut. But I wanted to comment because I had met a women who had multiple diamond studs in a descending order on each ear that I thought was extremely attractive, she worked at a jewelry store. I mentioned how attractive it looked and she said that she did it because it detracted from the fact that she has large ears. I hadn't noticed that she had large ears before that and thought that her cover plan was really working for her.
I have three on my left ear, and one on my right. The left ear has a diamond stud and two small silver hoops, and the right a matching hoop. I haven't changed them in years! But I'm going to get some new ones. I have a bunch in my jewelry box that I'm tired of. I also have my nose pierced. :)
I have two holes in each ear and my navel is pierced
When I was serious cross dresser, i got my ears done, the second set of holes was done when I started hrt and I will get a 3rd hole done after SRS to mark my journey.
The navel was done with my roommate, she wanted hers done and she wanted someone to go with her, I went and ended up having mine done too. I love my navel piercing.
I would love to get a stud in my nose. Two other piercing i would like to get done, but a little scared, is my nipples and my tongue, my roommate said she might get her tongue done, so i might go with and get mine done too.. but still scared..
yes I love my piercings
I have two in each ear :) Thought about getting a third up on the high part of the ear but not too sure about it yet
I have two in each ear. The first ones were done in the mid 80's and the second after I started transitioning. I wear mostly the same earrings every day though, so not much variation even though I do have a lot of others.
Mine are double pierced; I tend to wear something with a little "weight to it" in the bottom ones and usually a pair of flower studs (seems like I have a color of those for every outfit) in the top ones.
I got my first piercing in the early 80s after coming out Bi/queer. I got my other ear pierced earlier this year after my second coming out transgender. I'd like to think that the two or more earrings send an unmistakable message. And then, some folks just aren't looking at the details so important to us?
Like Cindy I have some long dangly numbers but before I drop much $ on quality I have to stop loosing them!
I had my ears pierced but I let them close up. I have big dumbo ears and don't really like drawing attention to them.
i've got two in my left ear [one gauged to ten mm] and one in the right, and i never felt like they alerted anyone to or meant anything about my sexuality
though i guess realistically i've always been That Weird Punk Girl and everyone who knows me always knew it..
i'm feeling like three is nowhere near enough earholes but there are more important things i have to buy; gotta stay on the hrt, right?
maybe i'll get more one day soon....
I've given some serious thought about getting pierced ears recently. I don't know if it would have any shock value to people who know my outlandish ways. ;D It would, for me, be another way to spite mainstream society.
I'm slowly building up my collection.
I have lobe piercings at 2g (6mm), with black metal tunnels in them at the moment. I have simple steel hoops in two helix piercings in my left ear and an industrial bar in my right. I also have a black tongue stud and some body piercings.
I'm currently dithering about further holes. I have to stay employable in a white-collar environment. Sigh.
I had mine pierced way back when I was 18, then I hada second piercing down when I was 21. My first girlfriend didn't like them, so I removed tehm and allowed them to cover over. That relationship was short lived, so I was able to just pop them back in without having to repierce.
My holes eventually closed up and due to keloids, I had to have them pierced inbetween the original holes. I'm sure there will be a bit of a gap if I decide to go for a second piercing . . . time will tell.
Quote from: Cindi Lane on September 23, 2013, 09:34:11 AM
I'm going to add a second set of pierced earring holes this weekend. It was a big, but important step to get the first holes pierced (3 years) ago.
My loving Wife gave be a nice pair of Diamond Studs to celebrate my "second birth day" (My first time in public, fully presenting as myself, in the daylight, for multiple days :o).
I really want to be able to show off her wonderful gift while also enjoying one of my many dangle or stud earring sets.
The only downsides I see are ;
- Odd looks when presenting male, (could leave in just one set)
- Trying to decide which combinations are A) Nice B) Fun, C) Sexy, Etc.
To many choices.... With 10 pair of earrings, that is over 3 million choices.
Hopefully I can get down to 4 sets (24 combinations) or 5 sets ( 120 combination) when I need to get dress in a hurry!
-Cindi
Just a little correction to your math, with 2 sets of holes and 10 choices for earrings, the correct number of choices for combinations is 90, not over 3 million. With 4 choices it is 12 combos and 5 choices gives you 20 combos. I know what you used to calculate the combinations (10*9*8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1) unfortunately that isn't correct. For a simpler way to look at it lets look at the options for 4 different choices (1+2,1+3,1+4,2+1,2+3,2+4,3+1,3+2,3+4,4+1,4+2,4+3) and there you have it 12 choices. The way you are looking at it works only if the number of sets of holes you have equals the number of sets of earrings you have.
Sorry for the math lesson, if you don't care, please ignore.
i have three holes on each ear.
I had my ears pierced at age 14 (1963), much to my mother's chagrin - it just wasn't done back then!
I seldom wear earrings unless I am going out formal or semi-formal.
I was lamenting this recently. I'll be getting mine pierced as soon as I can... which may mean out at work. I already have plans to get some swarovski studs first...
Approx 1-2 years away :'(
All I want are boring single piercings in the center of my ear lobes so I can wear my Avon items in my ears where they belong, and not on my t shirt collars. Because while they look ok there currently, I am planning to ditch wearing polo tshirts made for men and thus, I will be increasingly wearing outfits not capable of indulging this neat little trick.
But like everything, I have been fudging and fiddling and not getting around to going to the store and asking to get it done.
I have both lobes, and then 2 on the top/back side of my left ear and one in the top/front side of my right. I never change them though. They've been there for so long I don't really bother with them anymore. I also have my nose pierced. You can see it in my profile pic if you look real close. It just looks like a dot.
Quote from: <3 on September 28, 2013, 09:55:12 AM
Just a little correction to your math,
...
Hi <3
No Problem, I appreciate the correction.
And I really don't want 8 more sets of holes to fix my math! :D
Hi Joules
Wonderful, I too purchased a few sets of small Titanium ball-stud earrings early on, I mostly wear the non-colored pair (I also have a set in Blue and in purple).
Hi Tessa,
I had to buy some small plastic slide-on stoppers to keep from losing earrings with french hooks. When you buy a more expensive pair of post type, look for ones with a screw-on back
I agree, most people either don't notice or don't care about the details, only two people out of more than 50 I work with showed any sign they noticed when I started waring the small ball-studs.
-Cindi
Quote from: Cindi Lane on October 02, 2013, 02:51:55 AM
I agree, most people either don't notice or don't care about the details, only two people out of more than 50 I work with showed any sign they noticed when I started waring the small ball-studs.
-Cindi
I do hope to do this at some point before being out at work. I have a feeling I'm going to be labelled as "gay" before I come out, anyway... studs (either type, I suppose ;)) wouldn't do much more than reinforce that.
Thanks girl friends. It's funny I'll add 1 or 2 new holes & wear several earrings then when getting ready to go out I'll just use one earring in each ear. Guess I'm just a plain woman with one set of rings however I prefer large ones. Not sure, I just reopened the second hole & 2 earrings look nice. I should just slow down when getting dressed.
I always wear ear rings every day even doing the cleaning but hardly ever wear make up or nail polish
I have a bad habit of leaving them in overnight :-\
Pierced ears are going to be my 6 month HRT present. Others at 12 months. ;)
Quote from: Jessica Merriman on October 11, 2013, 04:29:33 AM
Pierced ears are going to be my 6 month HRT present. Others at 12 months. ;)
Good idea! :) I still think I may have to ensure I'm fully out first - no idea how many months on HRT that will be (hopefully between 6 and 12 somewhere). At some point, I feel like things like this are going to give the whole package away.
Still a loooong way off, though!
I want a set of swarovski studs for my first set, though... they should be pretty shiny... something like These (http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/697315/product/Harley_Pierced_Earrings.html).
Quote from: kabit on October 11, 2013, 05:37:53 AM
Good idea! :) I still think I may have to ensure I'm fully out first - no idea how many months on HRT that will be (hopefully between 6 and 12 somewhere). At some point, I feel like things like this are going to give the whole package away.
Still a loooong way off, though!
I want a set of swarovski studs for my first set, though... they should be pretty shiny... something like These (http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/697315/product/Harley_Pierced_Earrings.html).
Swarovski would be really classy! I had some 3/4 carat diamond studs with the standard clasps on them rather than the screw on stops. Big mistake, I was at the local shooting range and as I took off my hearing protectors one stud came flying out and was lost forever in the gravel. If they had been Swarovski's I would have shot myself right there. If you get expensive stones tell the sales person that you want screw on stops, they will have it done and it's worth the extra few $$ and wait.
Quote from: Shantel on October 11, 2013, 09:34:20 AM
Swarovski would be really classy! I had some 3/4 carat diamond studs with the standard clasps on them rather than the screw on stops. Big mistake, I was at the local shooting range and as I took off my hearing protectors one stud came flying out and was lost forever in the gravel. If they had been Swarovski's I would have shot myself right there. If you get expensive stones tell the sales person that you want screw on stops, they will have it done and it's worth the extra few $$ and wait.
Swarovski are relatively cheap, too :) Still... definitely a good point about screw-ons. Is that an option for *any* earrings, or just at a jewelers?
(And damn... I wonder what people would say if I did it now.... ;))
I got my first (and only for now) two holes done with autoclave in February, and I seem to have rather bad allergic reactions to copper and other metals. In the moment I get home I remove the earrings and put titanium piercings to keep the holes from closing. In the end, the piercings are what I wear 90℅ of the time.
I'm planning on getting two additional holes for "auxiliary earrings" next to the existing ones, but right now I'm aiming for the navel piercing, if I ever get a flat abdomen.
Quote from: kabit on October 11, 2013, 09:57:48 AM
Swarovski are relatively cheap, too :) Still... definitely a good point about screw-ons. Is that an option for *any* earrings, or just at a jewelers?
(And damn... I wonder what people would say if I did it now.... ;))
Somewhere in the foggy recesses of my brain I was thinking they were diamond, but come to think of it Swarovski is crystal. Usually any jeweler offers the screw-on option, suppose you'll have to ask the sales person, in any event you can take them to a jeweler and they can have it done for you. Best to wait and see if you are allergic to the posts like Apple Sprout points out, I know that my ears only tolerated gold posts only. I don't wear earrings anymore and let the holes grow shut, but do have a history of having worn them in the past. I know this sounds weird here of all places, but I was getting tired of being ma'am-ed so much and took them out because I don't self identify as a woman full time. Just androgynous will be sufficient!
Quote from: Shantel on October 11, 2013, 10:27:27 AM
Somewhere in the foggy recesses of my brain I was thinking they were diamond, but come to think of it Swarovski is crystal. Usually any jeweler offers the screw-on option, suppose you'll have to ask the sales person, in any event you can take them to a jeweler and they can have it done for you. Best to wait and see if you are allergic to the posts like Apple Sprout points out, I know that my ears only tolerated gold posts only. I don't wear earrings anymore and let the holes grow shut, but do have a history of having worn them in the past. I know this sounds weird here of all places, but I was getting tired of being ma'am-ed so much and took them out because I don't self identify as a woman full time. Just androgynous will be sufficient!
Well... I suppose it's a ways off, yet. I still wonder... and I'd be OK with people thinking I'm gay at work... they're bound to reach that decision anyways. I probably overestimate them, but inside I don't think I do!
I wonder about this metals allergy, though. I think the silver Swarovski are Rhodium.
On the plus side... I can hit the Swarovski store in Providence Place Mall, head to a jeweler's if I need to, and straight to Claire's or the like. One stop shopping ~ and my sister might love to do that with me (once I'm further along, she certainly would). Another one of those things I'm not ready for but want to do soooo badly! (I'd love being Ma'amed, too... but that's not soon either). I should probably at least get the nerve to go into a changing room before I start planning this sort of stuff out! For some reason, though... Jewelry (even earrings) sounds easier to do. I already bought a bracelet for me and my sisters (Alex & Ani, Star of Venus), since they and my brother are my biggest supporters.
@Kabit, I live in Canada, I went to Claire's for ear piercing (I didn't know if they were in the USA) about 6 or 7 years ago, the piercing & studs cost about $40. The studs I chose little silver balls, don't grab a lot of attention, but can't say people won't notice them. I only had one person , my wife's cousin occasionally asking what is going on. I just said I have seen a lot of guys wearing one or two, some are married, not a big deal & it is something I wanted to do. I asked a Claire's sales person if it is unusual to see a guy getting ears pierced & earrings. She said almost 50% of sales are guys. I was amazed. Look for earrings that say on the card non allergenic. Don't buy earrings with fairings (the stem) that are nickel coated as I believe they are the ones that cause allergies. The studs have to stay in for 6 months before you can reach the point of not having them in every day. Four months you may be able to take them out for a few hours. Three months you could try switching out briefly to try earrings if you bought some. The 6 months studs in is to maintain the hole so it won't close up. After 6 months I found over the years I may I may not have an occasion to wear them for more than a few weeks. I make sure I put earrings in before or at two weeks, not because the hole will close up, it sometimes takes some work & the hole is small to see. The piercing itself feels like a stab for a second & that is it, not painful. So you don't have to wait until going full time if you don't want to & really want to get your ears pierced.
Just me & some thoughts that might help.
Jamie
Thanks Jamie!!! Maybe that would be a nice start of HRT (full-on with E) present to give myself. I still like those Swarovski studs, but they may work better as a coming out present...
Also good - when I start HRT (+E) my hair will be quite long! It's just about down to the bottom of my ears now, if I pull it flat.
@Kabit, you are welcome. Swarovski should be Beautiful, nice present. I have never had long hair until recently, so you will be in a better position when you get your ears pierced your hair will probably be long enough to cover the studs.
Cheers
Jamie
I'm sorry, but no matter how feminine they make me feel, I just can't pierce my ears, or any part of my body. I'm terribly afraid of needles.
Quote from: Willow on October 11, 2013, 07:05:46 PM
I'm sorry, but no matter how feminine they make me feel, I just can't pierce my ears, or any part of my body. I'm terribly afraid of needles.
It's virtually painless and most places use a 'stud gun'
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DH.4504013159335781%26amp%3Bpid%3D15.1&hash=996dabe5103a6d6fff10046f38c788a834f9ac14)
Quote from: V M on October 11, 2013, 07:17:27 PM
It's virtually painless and most places use a 'stud gun'
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DH.4504013159335781%26amp%3Bpid%3D15.1&hash=996dabe5103a6d6fff10046f38c788a834f9ac14)
No needles! They just SHOOT your ears ;)
When I made up my mind that transitioning was what I wanted to do I pierced my ears. I did the do it yourself method. It didnt hurt nearly as bad as i thought it would. The tricky part for me was wearing the studs at work and trying not to draw attention. I managed to get thru the 6 week period wearing some brown tipped straight pins with some plastic backings. No matter how one goes about piercing, its all about keeping the holes clean
Quote from: V M on October 11, 2013, 07:17:27 PMIt's virtually painless and most places use a 'stud gun'
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DH.4504013159335781%26amp%3Bpid%3D15.1&hash=996dabe5103a6d6fff10046f38c788a834f9ac14)
I've heard they can hurt worse sometimes.
I'm not known for my high pain tolerance. And you can't try once, having just one earring is weird, I think.
Quote from: kabit on October 11, 2013, 07:19:49 PM
No needles! They just SHOOT your ears ;)
Oh my...
Quote from: Erin Brianne on October 11, 2013, 07:25:28 PM
When I made up my mind that transitioning was what I wanted to do I pierced my ears. I did the do it yourself method. It didnt hurt nearly as bad as i thought it would. The tricky part for me was wearing the studs at work and trying not to draw attention. I managed to get thru the 6 week period wearing some brown tipped straight pins with some plastic backings. No matter how one goes about piercing, its all about keeping the holes clean
Oh yes, infections are terrible. No one wants those.
Whatever, do what you wan't 8) I've got two in each ear and am very happy with mine
Girl friends please. You do not need some big gun to pierce your ears.
A simple sewing needle & antiseptic to make sure it's clean & just do it. You can find just the right location for your ears so everything is balanced. It's easy, I've never had any infection at all.
Just insert the needle thru the ear & let it stay for a while, remove it & insert some small stud, leave them in for a few days, twist them some & a nice new hole is there if you want to use it.
No big deal, just a suggestion.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on October 11, 2013, 11:19:01 PMGirl friends please. You do not need some big gun to pierce your ears.
A simple sewing needle & antiseptic to make sure it's clean & just do it. You can find just the right location for your ears so everything is balanced. It's easy, I've never had any infection at all.
Just insert the needle thru the ear & let it stay for a while, remove it & insert some small stud, leave them in for a few days, twist them some & a nice new hole is there if you want to use it.
Both scare me very much.
I guess it's just something I'll choose to do or not to when the time comes.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on October 11, 2013, 11:19:01 PM
Girl friends please. You do not need some big gun to pierce your ears.
A simple sewing needle & antiseptic to make sure it's clean & just do it. You can find just the right location for your ears so everything is balanced. It's easy, I've never had any infection at all.
Just insert the needle thru the ear & let it stay for a while, remove it & insert some small stud, leave them in for a few days, twist them some & a nice new hole is there if you want to use it.
Is that supposed to sound more appealing than the gun?
Quote from: <3 on October 11, 2013, 11:28:46 PMIs that supposed to sound more appealing than the gun?
Your avitar properly displays my facial expression when someone is trying to stick me with a needle.
Been there done both :)
The 'stud gun' isn't very big, it's actually rather small and it's fairly quick and easy as the stud is directly placed :) No looking in the mirror or relying on your buddy to do it right and no guesswork
Just make sure you go to a trained and qualified beauty technician
Did the needle piercing thing with ice cubes to numb it out in younger days when I played in rock bands but those have all closed up over the years
Picture a guitarist with ear, eyebrow, nose, lip and left nipple piercings all connected by a spider web chain
Erin is right about cleansing the hole. Claires gives you a bottle of antiseptic, I did a drop in front & back of the lobe & you twirl the the stud a couple of times a day to keep the stud free of sticking to the hole. I put off waiting a year before I finally got my ears pierce because I was afraid of the pain, it was so painless, I kicked myself for waiting a year & I do have a low threshold to pain. If I can do it anyone can.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on October 11, 2013, 11:19:01 PM
Girl friends please. You do not need some big gun to pierce your ears.
A simple sewing needle & antiseptic to make sure it's clean & just do it. You can find just the right location for your ears so everything is balanced. It's easy, I've never had any infection at all.
Just insert the needle thru the ear & let it stay for a while, remove it & insert some small stud, leave them in for a few days, twist them some & a nice new hole is there if you want to use it.
This is true!!
I pierced my own ears 5 years before even thinking about transitioning. I was still married and was alone for the weekend....I was just so sick of not being able to be me....I took a needle....sterilized it....numbed my ear....and poked it through with a potato behind. I wasn't able to keep any earrings in for more than 1-2 days at a time for over 3 years. 2 years later I could wear them more often but still not continuously. My holes have never closed or got infected!! but I am planning on going somewhere for my second piercing! :)
Quote from: kabit on October 11, 2013, 07:19:49 PM
No needles! They just SHOOT your ears ;)
As VM can vouch I was terrified of being outed, I was very much in guy mode? No one said boo. It is very common for 'guys' to have ear rings.
I was gunned, totally painless. But DON'T touch them. I got an infection and had to go on antibiotics. Incidentally it helped me transition, my GP asked why my ear rings were getting larger every time he saw me. I blurted out that I was TG, his reply was "we'll I'd better refer you to a therapist so you can start HRT" the start of the journey was that simple!
My Gran on my Dad's side did ear piercing with darning needles and ice cubes.Uncle Tim Granddad's brother who was a fisherman had a pierced ear before the war.
Quote from: Cindy on October 12, 2013, 12:13:07 AMAs VM can vouch I was terrified of being outed, I was very much in guy mode? No one said boo. It is very common for 'guys' to have ear rings.
I was gunned, totally painless. But DON'T touch them. I got an infection and had to go on antibiotics. Incidentally it helped me transition, my GP asked why my ear rings were getting larger every time he saw me. I blurted out that I was TG, his reply was "we'll I'd better refer you to a therapist so you can start HRT" the start of the journey was that simple!
Physically, I don't look like the man who would do such a thing, so I think it's best to wait a while until I'm settled in my female self first.
Quote from: Willow on October 12, 2013, 01:02:30 AM
Physically, I don't look like the man who would do such a thing, so I think it's best to wait a while until I'm settled in my female self first.
Have you seen my before and after pic?!!!!! :laugh:
Quote from: Cindy on October 12, 2013, 01:40:37 AMHave you seen my before and after pic?!!!!! :laugh:
Nope.
But I do know my parents would flip if I did. "earrings are for girls" every time they see a guy with one. Gay, straight, bi, asexual, doesn't matter. a man having earring(s) is immoral to my parents.
Meh, right now I'm only seeing my family once every 6 months, but that's enough to throw off a transition schedule if I have to change everything back.
A week before I got my ears pierced, and how I am now!!!
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,144104.380.html
Quote from: Cindy on October 12, 2013, 01:51:05 AMA week before I got my ears pierced, and how I am now!!!
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,144104.380.html
My, how you have changed! You weren't bad in the before pic either, though.
Well, I don't have the luxury of having hair long enough to cover my ears yet. Only one DoD I ever have that, and it was so divine! But then, just after, I was taken to the barber and given a buzzcut.
Eventually, maybe Sunday when I have a down day, I'll post a pic. And then hopefully, in a month or so, I can start having some results to show after pics on.
I did have both ears pierced during my first transition, my left lobe x2... but the second one kept getting infected. When I threw in the towel on transition 1.0 I let the right ear piercing close (back in those days it was considered "too gay" for a guy to have both ears changed... how the times have changed!! lol). At some point I stopped using the left one and the last piercing closed up as well but you can still see the dimple where it used to be. I'm now considering getting one on each side again... wondering if I can still use the left dimple scar? Hope so, it's centred perfectly!
I went to Claires in the shopping mall for the first set.
I had three concerns: 1) Pain - I hate anything poking through my skin 2) Infections 3) Metal Reactions/allergy
What I Did ... and the Result:
1) Steeled my nerves, prepared for death by piercing
... It was quick and hurt less than getting a flu shot
2) Followed the cleaning instructions rigorously (some times doing one more cleaning-turning per day extra) and kept up the routine for 4 weeks extra, afraid I'd end up at the doctor's office soon.
... No infection, healed nicely
3) Decided to go with 3mm white gold ball studs.
... all was fine for the first 4 months
After 4 months, I started having itching and red earlobes. All my erring related problems stopped as soon as I stared using 3mm titanium ball studs with titanium clutches. I also had no problems with 18K solid yellow gold ball studs with real gold clutches.
Under high magnification, I could see that the shafts of the original White Gold earrings were pitted and it looked like some form of plating was coming off. The combination of the materials used in their piercing type earrings and the Stainless steel clutch (not White gold!) and my body chemistry was not so good.
Next time I started with Titanium.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
It is possible to have a reaction to any metal used in jewelry, in the most extreme cases, some have had to have a slightly larger gauge hole and use a plastic sleeve over the posts.
Brass and Copper are the most common metals that cause allergic reactions.
Nickel allergy is more common that many believe.
Most low cost jewelry has posts or wires that are a low cost base metal (brass, copper, "Nickel Silver", etc) that is plated with another metal (tin, rhodium, nickel, silver, gold, etc), the plating can wear off and expose the base metal.
"Gold Filled" jewelry has a thicker coating of gold than "gold plated" and should stand up to use longer.
Stainless steel works for many people. Stainless steel is an alloy (made from mixing different types of metal), and often contains brass, copper and/or nickel. Many different Stainless alloys are used in jewelry.
Sterling Silver contains copper.
Pure Silver (.999 fine) works fine for most people, but does tarnish.
22K and 18K Gold works fine for most people.
Yellow Gold can be pure (24K - too soft for jewelry), when used in jewelry it is an alloy and often contains copper, silver, zinc, etc. As the karat number drops, the alloy contains less gold (18K is 75% gold ..... 10K is 42% gold) [18K means 18 parts gold to 6 parts other metal].
White Gold is always an alloy (karat numbers apply) and may contain copper, silver, nickel, zinc, tin, etc. The less reactive white golds are often alloys of pure gold and platinum or palladium.
Other colors of gold (Rose, Green, etc) are all alloys and use a wide variety of metals.
Other Pure Metals that rarely cause allergic reactions
Platinum - Very Nice, Very expensive.
Titanium - natural color is a silver-gray. A number of colors are via anodizing (avoid ones that are plated)
Niobium - natural color is a silver-gray. A number of colors are via anodizing (avoid ones that are plated)
-Cindi
P.S. watch for posts or ear wires that have a burr at the end where they were cut, a burr can cut the inside of the hole in your ear and can lead to infection.
I had 3 piercings per ear in college. Need to see if they are still open!
I have a single piercing in each ear. I prefer hoop earrings - large or small does not matter. I am considering a second piercing but i am going to wait until I get further along with my transition.
I did mine in the late '80s and early '90s. Three in the left (one in cartilage), one in the right and my right nostril. In retrospect, I guess it was an early manifestation of gender dysphoria. The cartilage piercing closed up years ago, but the rest are intact. I get to wear cuter nose rings and dangly earrings in them now. YAY! I love being a girl.
Just FYI, piercing guns are disgustingly unsanitary. The best thing to do is go to a tattoo/piercing parlor.
I have both my lobes pierced, I stretched them, and have since downsized back to a standard 18g. Over the years I've had six other cartilage piercings, and plan on having some redone soon.
Here's a link to the APP (Association of Professional Piercers). Ignorance is really the reason they're still arround
http://www.safepiercing.org/piercing/faq/#guns (http://www.safepiercing.org/piercing/faq/#guns)
I'm a member of a well respected body modification forum, and the aftercare they (Claires, not the forum) reccomended is pretty bad too. You don't need backing or aftercare spray or some other array of potions. Saline soaks are best for sensitive healing tissue. Additionally, twisting/fidgeting with the jewelry is damaging to the forming fistula, and only prolongs healing. The aftercare most accepted as the best is LITHA and LIMA (leave it the hell alone/leave it mostly alone.) getting pierced by a professional already eliminates 99% of the risk of infection. Keeping your nasty hands off is just a continuation ;)
I suppose it would depend upon where you go :) When I was ready to get my piercings I investigated and checked around to the various places that offered piercing services
Some places did look kinda scary so of coarse I wasn't going to go there ::) The shop I went to is independently owned and would only allow piercings to be done by the two women who had been trained and certified and you had to make an appointment
Anyway, I'm happy with mine :)
Quote from: Abby on October 23, 2013, 04:14:20 PM
Just FYI, piercing guns are disgustingly unsanitary.
Who knows where that gun has been...... I purchased a piercing kit from fleebay - $8 if i recall. 2 pieces, one for each piercing pretty gold stud included. I soaked the kit in rubbing alcohol using a small bowl. While it was soaking I read the instructions. Marked where I wanted it on my ear lobe, placed the piercer up to my ear lobe and applied force as required. Heard a snap and wham bam thank you maam I had a pierced ear. No pain what so ever. I did the other ear and my ears were pierced with pretty little gold balls. It was so simple to do.
Quote from: Abby on October 23, 2013, 04:14:20 PM
Just FYI, piercing guns are disgustingly unsanitary. The best thing to do is go to a tattoo/piercing parlor.
I have both my lobes pierced, I stretched them, and have since downsized back to a standard 18g. Over the years I've had six other cartilage piercings, and plan on having some redone soon.
Just wanted to add my support to this. Piercing guns can't be properly sterilized after use and should, frankly, be banned do the potential to pass blood-born disease between clients. In addition, piercing guns cause far more trauma to your body and the piercings take longer to heal. AND they frequently use too small a gauge which means the piercing is more likely to migrate (the hole can move to a different and less appropriate area). Worse, some idiots will even use a piercing gun on cartilage which can cause fractures and permanent damage to your ear.
Going to a proper piercing and tattoo parlour is MORE than worth the expense. Get it done right people.
Quote from: Sarah7 on October 25, 2013, 03:00:41 PM
Just wanted to add my support to this. Piercing guns can't be properly sterilized after use and should, frankly, be banned do the potential to pass blood-born disease between clients. In addition, piercing guns cause far more trauma to your body and the piercings take longer to heal. AND they frequently use too small a gauge which means the piercing is more likely to migrate (the hole can move to a different and less appropriate area). Worse, some idiots will even use a piercing gun on cartilage which can cause fractures and permanent damage to your ear.
Going to a proper piercing and tattoo parlour is MORE than worth the expense. Get it done right people.
*High five* we'll fight the good fight!
I got both my holes in my ears pierced with a needle at proper piercing parlor.
Its not sore, you feel a small pick and thats it.
My New Years gift to myself will be a couple of piercings. In Australia we have extremely strict regulations around hygiene for operators of piercing clinics, so I think it'll be safe from that angle. I once saw two school girls do a DIY ear piercing with a sewing needle which they "sterilised" using a cigarette lighter. That was pretty hard core.
I had both ears pierced 5 times each but have had to cut down what I wear to work as they think its unsavoury to look at. I have both of my nipples done and my navel has been done twice. I wear them caue I like them. And my nipples have def become my fav place for them.... Except if they get caught on a shirt. Then they suck :p
Quote from: chrissydr on November 03, 2013, 01:43:59 PM
I had both ears pierced 5 times each but have had to cut down what I wear to work as they think its unsavoury to look at. I have both of my nipples done and my navel has been done twice. I wear them caue I like them. And my nipples have def become my fav place for them.... Except if they get caught on a shirt. Then they suck :p
Girl friend you have more courage than me. An extra hole or 2 in my ears was a challenge. I just wanted to see how it looked, since then I'm back to just one simple hole. Have fun, be safe.
The very first official thing I did about transitioning was to pierce my ears (even before therapy). I kind of like it now, because it's a permanent body modification to record the moment.
I also had them use the gun because I'd been prone to fainting at the sight of needles. (Yes, I know the gun isn't much different, but I didn't have to SEE how it worked and could pretend.) It didn't cause any problems, and I was meticulous about disinfection and care. I got over the needle phobia in the hospital for GRS, mind you. ;) Kinda seemed minor by comparison, afterward.
Quote from: Jenna Marie on November 03, 2013, 02:16:25 PM
The very first official thing I did about transitioning was to pierce my ears (even before therapy). I kind of like it now, because it's a permanent body modification to record the moment.
I also had them use the gun because I'd been prone to fainting at the sight of needles. (Yes, I know the gun isn't much different, but I didn't have to SEE how it worked and could pretend.) It didn't cause any problems, and I was meticulous about disinfection and care. I got over the needle phobia in the hospital for GRS, mind you. ;) Kinda seemed minor by comparison, afterward.
I do love that... physically marking your start. That may be something I do when I end up moving out -- which should correspond to something between AAs and E, so maybe E-day and my ear piercing
should coincide. I think I'll plan for that!!
Quote from: chrissydr on November 03, 2013, 01:43:59 PM
I had both ears pierced 5 times each but have had to cut down what I wear to work as they think its unsavoury to look at. I have both of my nipples done and my navel has been done twice. I wear them caue I like them. And my nipples have def become my fav place for them.... Except if they get caught on a shirt. Then they suck :p
I have my nipples pierced too :) Have you had any hormones etc? Im scared growing boobs will mess them up/cause them to not be symmetrical anymore
Kabit : Oh, that's an even nicer plan! You'll always have a memento of a VERY important day that way. :)
I admit I got the idea from my wife - she had her ears pierced again to commemorate graduating college.
Quote from: Jenna Marie on November 03, 2013, 02:24:34 PM
Kabit : Oh, that's an even nicer plan! You'll always have a memento of a VERY important day that way. :)
I admit I got the idea from my wife - she had her ears pierced again to commemorate graduating college.
Done. Can't change it now! ;)
Though I'll probably do it "the week" I go on E, rather than trying to fit it in same-day... it looks like there's a good tattoo & piercing parlor nearby.
Do tattoo & piercing parlors usually have good options for what goes *in* the piercings?
Quote from: Joules on November 03, 2013, 01:09:28 PM
COngrats on your choice Grace, Happy New Years! :icon_ihearu:
Thanks! I'm pretty excited... only two months! Thought I'd leave it until after Xmas and all the family stuff is out of the way. They rightly associate the last time I got all girly with me having piercings, and Xmas is just a bit too soon for me to broach the subject again (planning for April).
I knew a woman back in my uni days who had a DIY nose piercing - this was in the days when piercing anything other than ears was seen as weird. She told me they used a heated bobby pin (ow). I bet they didn't sterilise it or her skin properly as, unfortunately for her, it got badly infected. She was trying to be hard ass about it but I could tell she wasn't enjoying it one bit.
Kinda funny, I just added 2 new holes to add more studs. It was easy, clean needle, hole, removed needle, inserted stud asap & done. Now to bed. The pair of studs look nice in each ear, not too much.
Quote from: Abby on November 03, 2013, 02:23:35 PM
I have my nipples pierced too :) Have you had any hormones etc? Im scared growing boobs will mess them up/cause them to not be symmetrical anymore
No not yet, am going to start hormones in the next couple of months. Was a bit worried about that myself, but if they don't seem right I will just take them out and get them done again. I know a piercer who can makes sure they are done right and safe, so i am sure they will be fine, but i never asked her about breast growth and changes to the nipples and what might happen.
Quote from: FrancisAnn on November 03, 2013, 02:05:39 PM
Girl friend you have more courage than me. An extra hole or 2 in my ears was a challenge. I just wanted to see how it looked, since then I'm back to just one simple hole. Have fun, be safe.
I love my piercings and will get more when i get back into computer jobs. I work in customer services and they are strict as far as appearance goes. I am always careful as to where i go to get them done. My wife has had a few bad infections from going to the wrong places to get them. So we have learned the hard way.