Ear Piercing in Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL
Ear piercing is a popular method of self-expression. With popularity, though, comes increased risk for undesired results, injuries, infections and much more. If you live in the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and surrounding areas, trust your ear piercing to the highly qualified staff of Davis Facial Plastic Surgery.
What Is Ear Piercing?
Ear piercing involves making holes in one or both earlobes, which enables the patient to wear earrings.
What Is Different About Ear Piercing Performed At Davis Facial Plastic Surgery?
At Davis Facial Plastic Surgery, ear piercings are done using a local anesthetic that minimizes discomfort. We ensure that all of our tools are sterile, thereby reducing your risk of infection.
Who Should Not Undergo Ear Piercing?
Some people are not good candidates for ear piercing. These people may include:
- People vulnerable to chronic infection, such as immune-compromised individuals
- Individuals with a history of serious allergic reactions
- Women who are pregnant or nursing
- People with active herpes outbreaks, including cold sores
- Patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- People who use blood thinners
If you aren’t sure whether you’re a good candidate for ear piercing, you can discuss this with Dr. Davis.
How Is Ear Piercing Performed?
The patient stands in front of a mirror while Dr. Davis marks the appropriate locations on each earlobe to ensure precise stud placement. Next, Dr. Davis injects the target areas with a local anesthetic using a thin needle. To guarantee the most accurate stud placement, piercings are done in a well-lit room using magnification. A special spring-loaded gun is then used to insert single-use studs into the earlobes.
How Long Will My Ear Piercing Take?
Ear piercings only take around 15 minutes to perform.
Aftercare
Taking the proper care of your ears is critical after piercing. Be sure to wash your hands well using warm water and antibacterial soap. Rinse your hands completely before doing anything that involves contact with your ears.
The fronts and backs of your ears must be cleaned three times per day using a special antiseptic liquid and a clean cotton swab or ball. The piercings must never be taken out for this cleaning. During cleanings, carefully move the studs back and forth to allow the antiseptic liquid into the newly formed holes. Finally, gently twist the studs around in each direction two to three times.
Never touch or get rid of your studs unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Avoid touching your ears if you don’t have to.
It’s strongly recommended to keep hair away from your new piercings.
It’s important to leave your studs in your ears for a minimum of six weeks. After this period is up, you can safely get rid of them. However, they must immediately be replaced with regular post-style earrings, which you will have to wear constantly for at least six months. This helps ensure that the holes stay the correct size and do not close up.
Extreme caution is required when getting dressed or undressed, sleeping, using phones, brushing your hair or wearing headphones. Always avoid activities that cause irritation to your ears.
It’s recommended to avoid getting hair products, soaps, makeup or perfume on or near your ears. If any of these things accidentally come into contact with your new piercings, immediately clean your ears using the antiseptic liquid.
After swimming, working out, washing your hair or doing a similar activity, clean your ears with the antiseptic solution to keep sweat, germs and irritants out of the holes.
During each cleaning, look for inflammation, embedding, pus or redness. If you notice any of these signs, contact Dr. Davis right away. You should be especially wary of embedding. This causes swelling and makes the stud look like it’s being engulfed by your earlobe.
Redness, pain and swelling that persists for over 24 hours following piercing is abnormal. If these symptoms persist, reoccur or present with infection, it may signal an allergy. In this case, you may not be able to use traditional earrings. You are advised to speak with Dr. Davis in these cases.
Get the highest possible care for your ear piercings at Davis Facial Plastic Surgery! If you live in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding areas of Florida, contact our office today to learn why you should rely on Dr. Dean G. Davis, a dual-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist, for all of your ear piercing needs!
