Had mine when I was really young, baby. Another one I did as a teen with some alcohol, as in drinking kind, and the back of a track medal I won. Bad idea it was not very sharp  and I did not push it through straight.
Good Luck
Myles

I've had some done with the gun and some with the needle.  The needle is less painful.

Why are the guns less accurate? Don't they mark your ears first?

Chrissi

I had mine done at the mall with a piercing gun when I was little and they got infected and I had to let them close up. The second time, my mom had bought a kit that came with the piercing earrings and the gun thingy, had no problems with those at all. I did my second set of holes myself with a large sewing needle, my left ear I still have that hole and never had any problems with it, my right ear, I had a bit of swelling, so I ended up taking out the earring, and letting it close up and never re-did that ear.. I kind of like having an odd amount! heh

I'd say you'd probably be better going to a tattoo/piercing place than just going to the mall, 'cause I've heard some nasty things about gun piercings... Definitely wouldn't recommend the do it yourself technique, especially if you want them to be even! ha

Quote from: Icephoenyx on February 06, 2010, 12:43:26 AM
Why are the guns less accurate? Don't they mark your ears first?

Chrissi

Yeah exactly they are meant to mark them and if they don't then it's the operator that's at fault, when I had mine done she marked one ear slightly off but I got her to remark it and it was fine.
I think people are mistaking the problems with the gun method with the poor operator skills/training over the actual method, when done correctly it is fine. Quick, painless and cheaper! Just go to a chemist/pharmacy in a 'better' suburb.

I got both sets of mine done with the gun. They did a great job and cost less than twenty bucks each time. I was very happy to give a tip both times

Allot better than when I was young and we would just randomly shove a safety pin in our ears, nipples etc.

guess I'll weigh in on the gun vs needle debate here.  I've had 14 peircings (lots of holes i don't have jewelry in), with both needles and guns, and I'm definitely going for needle on my next one.

why its better-
Anyone who will be doing a needle peircing in a shop has completed an apprenticeship program, with hours and hours of training on safety, cleanliness and anatomy.  Peircing needles are sterilized in an autoclave, and in many shops have designated rooms that are kept as sterile as an operating room. and the big difference, hollow needles.  It makes a bigger difference if you are peircing through cartiledge, but can affect healing. With a hollow needle, you are basically punching a hole and removing the little bit of skin.

Compare to a Claires-type place in the mall, and its kind of a no-brainer.  The girl with a gun in the mall probably had minimal training, and is likely making close to minimum wage.  If the gun has been cleaned at all between customers, it was probably just a wipe down with an alcohol wipe.  Then, instead of a needle, they are using an earing.  Instead of removing the skin, its being pushed to the side to make room for the post, which is why you can get bumps sometimes with gun piercings.  Also, its just annoying to have the point from the piercing stud poking you in the neck, or side of your head.

I had 6 of my 14 peircings done in the mall with a gun, and was lucky enough that I had no problems with them, but I wouldn't reccomend that method to anyone, or go that route again myself.