The official post

[kitten_grrl]

I gun pierce. I know why I gun pierce, and I've read the literature on why it's bad and realize that a lot of it is massively outdated or otherwise currently untrue

Comments

[farting_nora]

My ears were gun-pierced, and they are a bit, well, crooked. I think that is more because they were done by a total moran than because they were done with a gun though.

[kitten_grrl]

Quite possibly. It could depend on your age when you were pierced compared to now, too. Earlobes do grow, and can grow unevenly.

If they bother you, let one close up, and then go in to get the other matched. Or let both close up, and get it redone, whichever works better for you. Bring friends or family, too, and let EVERYONE look at the alignment. The more opinions the better.

[farting_nora]

I was eight. It isn't that they are uneven with eachother, its that the holes are sort of at an angle, and a bit too high up on my ear for a first piercing. (I wish they were lower, so I would have room for another hole above them, or even a little higher so I could put another hole below them) I'm too chicken to get my cartilege pierced. :P

[kitten_grrl]

At an angle is fixable- you just go through the initial hole straight instead of angled. If they refuse to close after six months, they may never close up, unfortunately.

[psychotwinkie]

All three of my holes (per ear) have been gun pierced. My mom thinks that because my first holes, when i was 3, were pierced with 14k gold, thats when i developed an allergy to metal.

Frankly i dont care, as evident by my two other holes. all done in malls and kiosks.

They've all healed fine, and i am trying to get the guts up to go one more higher XD and get a fourth set! Which'll be boardering cartiladge (something new to me)

[kitten_grrl]

Interesting... the 14k triggered an allergy? Usually nickel will do that, which is why I refuse to recognize the existence of stainless steel piercing studs in my store.

[psychotwinkie]

My mom thinks its what triggered my allergy. I am allergic to nearly all forms of metal. even my wedding ring gives me hell sometimes

[kitten_grrl]

We are required to give you the solution, probably due to some sort of legal protection issue. In your case, I'd let it slide... after you told me you were allergic to it. I could get hell from Corporate for it, but if you're allergic, you're allergic.

[sooper]

I had it explained to me a while ago that, for cartiledge, the gun can cause issues because the studs are sort of cone-shaped on the end so it tries to push the cartiledge outward, and that because of that, especially if you want anything wider than standard guage, it's just better to have it done with a hollow needle at a professional piercing place. I had two cartiledge piercings done with a gun, and neither worked out too well, plus it's hard to find good jewelry that is at standard guage, so I've been thinking of getting it done with a needle, but at maybe 16 guage. I'm guessing for cartiledge there's not really a way to do that with a gun in the first place. And quite honestly, I'd like to widen the piercing my earlobe, but I'm not sure how I'd do that. I tried putting something the next width up in and it almost wouldn't go in and it hurt like hell and wouldn't stop.

[kitten_grrl]

If you want anything done bigger than standard gauge, needle is better.

I use hoops to gauge my ears, they're tapered at the ends, so slip in easier.

[kitten_grrl]

Piercing studs are not blunt. I've accidentally pierced my own ear with an old one, trying to open up a semi-closed hole. I didn't realize what I'd done until I saw a mirror later. It didn't really hurt, and I could not tell the difference between that and fixing the old hole when I did open it up.

Actually, I still have that piercing, and it even healed up well.

[moonseternity]

I had all 3 of my holes gun pierced (6 is you count both ears) and while I wouldn't say they've been great they haven't been terrible either. All of them have healed nicely, but I have the worst trouble with the latest holes (which are at least 4 years old now. Think they would just close up after 4 years?). If I leave earrings out and then put some in, they get infected, bleed and all that good stuff. I don't know, maybe I'm allergic to certain metals. But I don't see the problem with gun piercing, if done right.
I have issues with a needle going into my ear. Stupid, but true.

[kitten_grrl]

If you still have trouble after four years? They may close up. And a mild metal allergy is quite possible. Look for non-plated 14kt gold, try sterling silver, titanium or surgical steel.

[dizzyizzy316]

Actually I have the same problem with my second sed of holes I got 15 years ago. They refuse to close up, I haven't had earrings in them for probably 3 years, but the holes are still there and if I put any kind of earring in they become infected and bleed. I know I am allergic to yellow gold, so I don't wear any of that. For me it is white gold or surgical steel. Doesn't seem to matter these holes just won't go away or get better. My first set are fine, never have a problem with them.

[ameythyst_rune]

off topic probably. but what's your stance on piercing the ears of babies and small children? Is it a no no? i've seen staff in uk claire's stores piercing toddlers and its something i kinda object to.

[kitten_grrl]

I hate it. I will use any excuse to avoid doing so. I don't want to pierce ANYONE who does not ask for it themselves.

Then again, my best piercing customer was a two and a half year old who came in, had been begging her mom for weeks, and got them pierced one at a time without a tear or complaint. The most she reacted was a lip wobble, quickly stopped with a sucker.