Should You Pierce Your Ears?

Getting your ears pierced becomes a permanent decision that leaves a visible imprint. Take time to carefully evaluate this choice.

In various public areas you may see a family strolling along with a cute infant in a carriage. Then you notice the baby's ears are pierced. Her parents have made this life-long decision for her. Although she may later choose not to wear pierced earring styles, the tiny holes in her ears will remain indefinitely. In many cultures, ear piercing is considered to be fairly universal and is typically managed by a girl's parents while she is still very young. In others, it is an individual choice to be made when a girl approaches adolescence or comes of age.

Whatever your situation or preference, pierced ears have long been a part of fashion history and seemingly are here to stay. Once the hallmark of slave status in ancient societies, ear piercing now heralds jewelry style that enjoys widespread popularity. Recently, multiple ear piercing has gained public notoriety in both positive and negative ways. Some observers feel it is an attractive and creative way to display ear art, while others feel too many holes appear overdone or vulgar.

The original ear piercing might involve one earlobe or two. A famous picture of William Shakespeare called the Chandos portrait features his famous face with a visible left pierced ear. Men and women have enjoyed this type of jewelry display for centuries or even millennia.

Over the past century or two in Western society, ear piercing became more popular among women than men, but in recent decades, men once again have taken to wearing an ear decoration, first on one lobe, and now more commonly on both. In fact, it is becoming more common nowadays to see men as well as women with multiple ear piercing.

What began as double ear piercing a few years ago has mushroomed into numerous pin-sized openings for earrings along the outer edge of the ear. The upper part of the ear, above the lobe, is actually cartilage, composed of different tissue than the fleshier lower part. The lobe does not feel much pain during piercing, but the cartilage seems to feel more for some people, at least. In addition, there is more risk of infection with piercing the cartilage than the lobe. Diabetics or anyone with skin concerns should avoid piercing this area.

Earring designs include multiple piercings that match uniformly on both ears, or a length of piercings that are mixed and matched. Those who shun actual holes in their ears can purchase stick-on earrings, magnetic earrings, or faux pierced earrings, all of which have the pierced look but actually are two-sided with a tiny back that they adhere to and a miniscule front that looks like it sticks through the flesh.

Keep in mind that a pierced opening may close and retain a membrane covering if you decide to stop wearing pierced earrings. However, about six months after the piercing the hole, or opening, becomes a permanent, visible imprint that can be covered but will never go away on its own. Check with your doctor for more information about getting your ears pierced.

© Demand Media 2011