Ear Lobes
Earlobes are the most popular piercings worldwide and one of the oldest forms of body modification. Ear piercing practices date back around 5,000 years, with evidence found in Ötzi the Iceman, a natural mummy from the 4th millennium whose ears had piercings. Similarly, ancient Egyptians also practiced ear piercing, as seen in the ear piercings on the mummy of King Tutankhamen, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt, who was also buried with earrings in his tomb.
Over time, earlobe piercings have been embraced by people from all walks of life. In Western culture, starting from the 1960s onwards, they became a symbol of self-expression for various groups, from hippies and artists to musicians and beyond. By the 1990s and early 2000s, earlobe piercings had become a common sight across cultures in North America.
​The methods for piercing earlobes have evolved significantly. Gone are the days when earlobes were pierced at home with ice and a needle. Piercing guns, originally designed for doctors, found their way into malls and retail stores across North America. However, professional piercers agree that the safest, cleanest, and quickest way to pierce ears is with a sterile, single-use needle and proper aseptic technique—just like how we do it at Proper Poke.
When it comes to jewelry, while the options for healed piercings are nearly limitless, the choices for initial piercings are more specific. We typically recommend a 14 or 16 gauge press-fit flatback, available in various styles, from simple titanium balls to dazzling faceted stones and even gold with diamonds. For those interested in stretching, we can start with an 8 gauge—or sometimes even larger—using single-flared glass plugs. If you’re curious about larger-gauge piercings, feel free to chat with one of our piercers.
Earlobe piercings typically take eight to twelve weeks to fully heal. After this period, you can change your jewelry, but it’s important not to leave the piercing empty during the first year, as it may still close up. During the initial months, we recommend cleaning your piercings twice daily with a sterile saline solution, (check our aftercare section for details). As with any new piercing, keep dirty hands, hair products, phones, and other potential irritants away from the area. Earlobe piercings are also incredibly easy to stretch, offering endless possibilities for unique jewelry—be sure to explore our stretching section for more information.
