I had my ears pierced and only took them out for FFS and GCS. Getting them back in after FFS took a minute or two.

I did mine with self piercing stainless stud kits from Walmart. It came with a bottle of earring antiseptic. I turned them every so often. Sometimes took them out and cleaned them off with the solution. The holes will stay open for at least 12 hours just fine but I do need a mirror to get them started. Some places for work I do take them out. Then I wipe them down with the antiseptic before putting them back in.

QuoteThen I wipe them down with the antiseptic before putting them back in.

I let mine soak in dish detergent & water for a few hours.

I had my left ear pierced at the mall when I was a teenager. I wasn't able to bring myself to do that for the other ear, for whatever reason and did it myself with a needle about a year ago. I did have similar problems to what the OP said when putting in the stud, but left it in for a few months and I'd say it's the same as the one I had professionally done now. That one, I sometimes even went years without wearing an earring but it never fully closed up, though the back would hurt a little if I went that long.

I am surprised to hear that anyone has had problems with being pierced by a piercing gun.  I had mine done at the mall and I had no problems with holes closing.  I did have an issue when trying to switch to dangling earrings too soon, and the holes bled.  I was able to put the studs back in and I was fine.

Sometimes I feel that my holes are not in the exact same place on each ear, but my ears are not shaped exactly symmetrical either.  Also, is anyone else afraid to wear hoops because they might get snagged on something?  I've never worn hoops for this reason.

Also, is anyone else afraid to wear hoops because they might get snagged on something?

Years ago, it wasn't uncommon to see women with the holes torn through, due to wearing heavy earrings.  However, I don't think that would be an issue with hoops, provided they're not too heavy.

Well I should be sat here with studs in but the shop was shut, Easter hols, but when I checked they said they were open, ahh well next day of then

Quote from: Alex M on April 16, 2017, 04:03:11 PM
Also, is anyone else afraid to wear hoops because they might get snagged on something?  I've never worn hoops for this reason.

Actually, I have a bigger fear with fish hook earrings.  I have accidentally pulled out a hoop earring a couple of times, usually when brushing my hair. The good thing about a hoop earring is they flex a bit; the backing opens and they just pop out (although it does hurt a little).  If you get a fish hook earring caught in something, you are much more likely to rip an ear lobe.

~Terri

Quote from: Maybebaby56 on April 16, 2017, 04:40:09 PM
Actually, I have a bigger fear with fish hook earrings.  I have accidentally pulled out a hoop earring a couple of times, usually when brushing my hair. The good thing about a hoop earring is they flex a bit; the backing opens and they just pop out (although it does hurt a little).  If you get a fish hook earring caught in something, you are much more likely to rip an ear lobe.

~Terri

  I've not had a problem with either.

I'm so afraid of needles that I don't know if I'd ever be able to get a piercing done.  Sad thing is, is that I love the idea of an eyebrow piercing, a belly button piercing, and both ears pierced.  I'm working on getting past that fear.

Quote from: Artesia on April 16, 2017, 05:15:12 PM
I'm so afraid of needles that I don't know if I'd ever be able to get a piercing done.  Sad thing is, is that I love the idea of an eyebrow piercing, a belly button piercing, and both ears pierced.  I'm working on getting past that fear.

Getting your ears pierced is no worse than getting a shot. Most times it is even easier.  I did 2 of mine myself with a sewing needle, alcohol, and an ice cube.

  Hugs,
     Jeanette

Quotealcohol, and an ice cube.

On the rocks? 

Quote from: AnneK on April 16, 2017, 08:33:53 PM
On the rocks? 

LOL No on the needle and the ear after using the ice cube to numb the earlobe with cold. silly

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

I had mine pierced at the beginning of November 2016. I went to a local tattoo and piercing shop and had them pierced with a needle.  From what I understand normal piercing guns use a 20 or at the largest 18 gauge stud to pierce your ear.  My piercer used a 16 gauge needle and then put in a pair of 16 gauge studs.  I kept those in for 6 weeks.  Then I switched to a regular pair of CU Studs which I wear all the time night and day.  In the past month I've taken to wearing dangly earrings for short durations, maybe sooner than you're supposed to but I haven't noticed any ill effects.

The point of all this is that seems to have worked well. I do not have any problems locating the holes even without a mirror if totally necessary (although it does take a little longer and some probing sometimes).  I think the big key is keeping something in them all the time for the first few months.  Even after your past the 6-week healing period, that's still a pretty new wound and I think the body still tries to close it up.

Got them done today at local Claire's lunch time R/H one was a bit painful and felt a bit sore but the left one I did not feel and is still fine . with there lotion 3 weeks and can change them from 4mm gold studs to some thing a bit fancy

  Congratulations Davina.  I'm sure the bit of pain is worth the happiness of being able to wear pierce earrings will give you.

Hugs,
   Jeanette

I had my first set of piercings done back in 1975-76.  Only wore the piercing studs for a while.  Worked as a male still, later I would use fancier studs.  After SRS I still only wore studs at work, safety issue, but other times all kinds.

This last DEC I decided to get a 2nd set done.  Left the starter set in for a month.  But wanted to change them up.  Problem is I have permanent longish acrylic nails done, close to a 1/2 " now.  Found getting studs in/out near impossible.  Went to a store where they have these longish tapered sets to open the holes.  The gals at the store suggested using olive oil as a lube for a while.  Wear these around home and they have made it so I can use all my fishhook styles.  I have found some of the heavier ones feel sore at the end of a long day/night.

Wouldn't mind wearing studs but would need ones with a longer shaft.  Holding that little backing piece difficult.