FAQ
How is "medical ear piercing" different from other methods?
Your piercing will be performed by a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in sterile procedures and infection control using single-use, disposable cassettes. This means that our products and methods are designed to prevent the spreading of infections, bloodborne pathogens, and exposure to nickel and other contaminants during the piercing process.
What piercings do you offer?
Piercings along the outer perimeter of the ear and are offered, including lobe and cartilage, as well as nostril piercings.
What ages do you pierce?
We pierce babies ages 2 months-15 months, children 4 years & up, as well as teens and adults. Babies must have first DTAP vaccine prior to piercing.
If you have a toddler, we always encourage our clients to wait a few years. Toddlers will almost always try to resist the piercing making it extremely challenging to mark the ears and do the piercing properly. Additionally, caring for piercings on a toddler can prove to be very challenging.
How are the piercing studs different than others?
The piercing studs we use are specially designed to facilitate healing. The posts are designed slightly longer and wider than traditional studs, which allows for air circulation around the stud as well as allowing for less trauma to the healing wound when changing the earrings. The back of the earring locks in place at the tip, preventing any exposed sharp pints.
The studs are crafted from implant grade titanium or medical plastic, and are certified nickel-free. Two to three percent of the world’s population is born with a nickel allergy. This number jumps to 20% after ear piercing with studs that contain nickel. A nickel allergy presents itself as an itching, red, sore, swollen, and irritated area. Many people mistake this for an infection, but it could be a reaction to the nickel in your studs.
The term ‘nickel-free’ can be deceiving. In the US, this term is not regulated, so, in essence, anyone can say any jewelry is nickel-free and hypoallergenic, regardless of nickel content. Our studs are manufactured using the same international standards for implants and other medical devices, and certified by medical device quality control.
How do you take care of newly pierced ears?
Given that ear piercing is in fact a small wound, it is important to take proper care of it throughout the healing period. By following the aftercare instructions provided, you can minimize the risk of infection. The nurse will teach you how to clean the ears after they are pierced, as well as providing written instructions. Your new piercing will need to be cleaned twice a day.
When can the piercing earrings be removed?
Ear lobe piercing takes between 6-12 weeks and cartilage piercings take a minimum of 12 weeks to fully heal. We advise waiting until at least the minimum listed time to remove and replace the piercing stud.
How do I remove the piercing earring?
To remove the piercing earring: Wash hands and ears thoroughly. A good time to remove the piercing earring is right after a shower/hair wash. With one hand, take hold of the jewelry part (front) of the piercing earring. With the other hand, take hold of the earring back and wiggle it back and forth, until you feel it loosen. Carefully remove the piercing earring and insert a clean earring. Because of the unique design of longer and wider posts, piercing earrings are only intended to be used during the healing period.
What should I consider after completing the 6-12 week healing process?
It takes up to a year before the holes are completely healed. During this time, it is advised to wear earrings continuously to prevent shrinking or closing of the holes. Earrings may be changed as often as desired after the initial healing phase..
Take extra care when changing earrings. Make sure to clean your earrings regularly. If you use earrings with earring backs, do not push the earring back tight against your ear because doing so will increase the risk of infection and interfere with the healing process.
For the first year after your piercing we recommend 14k/18k/22k gold, platinum or medical-grade earrings. During the first year after your piercing avoid gold plate, gold vermeil, gold filled, sterling silver, 10k gold, stainless steel, brass and all costume jewelry as they may contain nickel as the "filler" metal. The risk of developing a nickel allergy is at its greatest during the first year after a piercing, therefore it is important to limit exposure to nickel at this time.
Do you offer earrings to be worn after the piercing studs are removed?
Yes! Several popular styles are in stock available for purchase and many more may be ordered. Prices range from $25-70 depending on material and style chosen.
Can I swim after my piercing?
You should wait 24 hours after your piercing before swimming in a pool that is chlorinated and at least 2 weeks before swimming in oceans, rivers, lakes or ponds.
Is this method as safe as piercing with a needle?
There is quite a bit of information out there about which is safer, a needle or the type of device we use. Sources affiliated with the body piercing industry will say a needle is safer, which is to be expected. However, extensive research shows that both are very safe. Both have their advantages, but ultimately you are safe with either process. The decision to go with a needle piercing or our piercing is simply a matter of choice and not a matter of safety.
The devices or guns that are not safe are those that do not use one-time use piercing studs. The area that touches you has touched many other people and they are difficult to get completely clean; therefore, they may pass on bloodborne pathogens. With our sterile, one-time use piercing studs we can guarantee this won’t occur.
What is included in the price?
Registered nurse who travels to your home, within 20 miles of the Fairview, NC post office
Blomdahl ear piercing studs
Aftercare wipes to get you started
Detailed aftercare instructions
Access to a registered nurse for any questions or concerns during the healing process
Do you offer parties or "pop-ups"?
Yes! Whether its a gathering of friends, a "girls night", or a child's birthday party, we offer discounts for three or more piercings performed at the same time at the same location.
We are also available for pop-ups at your event or place of business. Please text or email for more information.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept all major credit cards, Venmo, or cash. Payment is due at the time of service.