March 27, 2024

Best Earrings for Newly Pierced Ears

Ear piercings are a traditional modification with lots of options. Knowing what to look for can save you time and money. Let's take a closer look at the best earrings for newly pierced ears.

Best Earrings for Newly Pierced Ears

When it comes to choosing the best earrings for newly pierced ears, implant-grade titanium labret studs (flat back) are generally the best jewelry type. They are less agitating during healing. Add space to compensate for swelling, and use closures that remain fastened and secure.

That said, you and your piercing technician will determine the best earring piece for your particular piercing location.

1. Best Earring Metal for New Piercing: Implant-Grade Titanium

The Best: Implant-Grade Titanium

The best metal for newly pierced ears is implant-grade titanium. The human body does not react to it, making it an excellent metal for body modification jewelry like earrings.

You will like how titanium jewelry feels, as it is lightweight. This advantage alone makes it ideal for initial piercing jewelry as it places less pressure on the swollen piercing site.

It is also hypoallergenic, nickel-free, corrosion-resistant, and won’t tarnish. Implant-grade titanium is recommended for those who are allergic to brass, nickel, and other metals common for jewelry.

Implant-grade titanium also offers the advantage of being more durable than surgical steel or plastics. With proper care, these earrings can last a lifetime.

You'll also find a wider variety of pieces made from this material because it is also easy to shape.

14K or 18K Gold

If you're looking for a glittering, valuable metal for your ear jewelry, either 14K or 18K gold may be your answer. Its excellent quality of being inert makes it suitable for first piercings.

However, gold is a fairly soft metal, so it doesn't stand up to scratches and excessive wear. Compared to 14K gold, 18K gold is more prone to being affected by everyday use as it is softer and is closer to being pure 24K gold.

However, they may be more pricey and could tarnish over time. Also consider if you have allergies, such as an allergy to gold. To avoid skin reactions, look for nickel-free gold jewelry.

Surgical-Grade Steel

Another consideration would be surgical-grade steel. It might be somewhat cheaper than implant-grade titanium, although prices are becoming more comparable. Steel also offers durability compared to other body-friendly materials, such as plastics.

When shopping for surgical-grade steel earrings, look for jewelry made with SAE 316, SAE 420, SAE 440, or SAE 17-4 rated steel. These ratings ensure that the steel will not be rejected by your ears unless there are high levels of nickel.

Medical-Grade Plastics

Medical-grade plastics are another option for your newly pierced ears. While not as durable as steel or titanium, earrings made from these plastics are lightweight. They are also easy to work with, making them ideal for fancy designs.

2. Best Design for Newly Pierced Ears: Studs

The Best: Studs

Diamond labret stud flat back stud with a clear crystal 16G implant-grade titanium $16.9, SHOP NOW.

The most popular design for newly pierced ears is the stud earring. It consists of a post with a jewel or other accent on one end. The post uses a push-back or butterfly back to secure it in the piercing hole.

Its simple design makes it a common first piece within ear piercings, and the straight post will not agitate the edges of healing piercing holes.

These are also lighter than larger hoops. The secure back will hold it in place, even if you go oversized in length to accommodate swelling during the inflammation stage.

The straight post will cause the jewelry's accent to protrude in some locations, though.

Barbells

Barbell earrings are popular, consisting of a bar with balls or other accents on each end. You can hold them in place using a screw-on or internal thread fastening system. The decorative ends make these popular in piercings where the entrance and exit holes are visible.

A less secure option would include thread-less designs.

Curved Barbells

Curved barbell piercing ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium internally threaded $16.9, SHOP NOW.

A curved barbell is a popular variation of the standard barbell that uses a curved bar. These are useful when you want to avoid the protruding that can occur when wearing straight barbells.

Hoops

Nose ring hoop 6mm 8mm 10 mm simple and minimalist hinged segment clicker $17.9, SHOP NOW.

Hoop earrings are circular jewelry pieces (although some designs come in other geometric shapes like squares or triangles). Snug-fitting hoops have the nickname of huggie earrings, but hoops can also be large and dangle from the piercing hole.

They are popular decorations for lobe and outer ear piercings.

Can You Get Hoops as Your First Ear Piercing?

Yes, but hoops are not the best choice for new piercings. Hoops will stand out and can snag easily on clothing or other materials they come into contact with.

3. Best Earring Back for New Piercing (Closure): Flat Back (Labret Stud)

The Best: Flat Back

The flat back is considered the best earring back for new piercings as it is very stable and secure. It comfortably rests against the rear or exit hole in your ear piercing and does not move at all.

These studs are also simpler to use because the threaded portion sits on the front or entrance of your piercing hole, making it more visible.

Butterfly or Push-Back

Butterfly or push-back closures work well with studs. The design uses a winged piece with a hole that slides over the stud on the back of the piercing. They may clip into place and are easy to take on and off.

Screw-on

Screw-on closures connect to the earring using a threaded system similar to a bolt and nut. The post has threads you can screw the back onto. These are very secure but can be more difficult for larger fingers and those new to ear jewelry.

Internal Threaded

The internal threaded closure system uses a thread within the post as the securing point. You screw the back into the hole at the end of the stud. They are secure and can be easier to use than a screw-on design for some.

Threadless

Threadless earring enclosures use a hollow post you insert the back into. There is no thread to screw into here, making them faster to fasten than internal threaded designs. It is worth noting that the lack of threads makes this a less secure option.

Hinge / Latch-Back

The hinge mechanism on latch-back closures are popular addition to hoop earrings. The hinge latches onto a small post and this setup keeps your hoops secure throughout the day.

Hinge segment clickers are an option for ring jewelry that uses a hole in one end to insert the other tip into. You can insert the post end into the hole and push them together. They can be a challenge as you first learn to wear them, but many people find them easy to use once they master the closure system.

Seamless

A small variation of this design is the seamless hoops that use bendable wire to connect the ends. These can be quick to connect but may be more fragile than the latch-back.

4. Sensitivity: Best Earrings for Sensitive Newly Pierced Ears

If you have very sensitive ears, you will want a design that promotes fast healing. A general rule of thumb is to use an implant-grade titanium labret stud (flat back).

The straight stud does not agitate the edges of the piercing hole while it heals. These are also lighter than larger hoops. The secure back will hold it in place, even if you go oversized in length to accommodate swelling during the inflammation stage.

If you have allergies to materials like nickel, it is best to go with surgical-grade materials that are less likely to cause reactions or full-blown rejections. Titanium will be your top choice, but several medical-rated steels and surgical-grade plastics are also potential choices.

5. Size: Smaller Gauges (Thicker Posts), Longer Posts, and Larger Diameters Tend to Heal Faster.

It may be surprising to learn that smaller gauges (thicker jewelry wires) tend to heal faster than larger gauges (thinner jewelry wires). Many earrings come in larger gauge sizes like 20G (0.8mm), 18g (1mm), and 16g (1.2mm).

If you have newly pierced ears, you will likely use smaller gauges sizes like 14g (1.6mm) or 16g (1.2mm) during the healing process.

No matter what style of earring you use in your new ear piercing, you may find pieces with longer posts or larger diameters beneficial.

Your final goal might be snug fits, but going with looser jewelry provides space for swelling that may not peak for a couple of days and lasts for weeks. The extra space also promotes healing by avoiding agitation along the piercing hole's edges and pressure along the surrounding skin.

6. Best Earring for Each Ear Piercing

Helix piercings: You will likely start with a stud in your helix piercing. The advantage here is they are better for healing than jewelry like hoops. There is less pressure placed on the edges of the hole and it allows tissue to fill in the space between the stud and your ear. The downside is that piercing studs are often plain in appearance.
Conch piercings: Consider a flat-backed stud for the conch piercing, as these can be prone to irritation, especially in the early stages of healing.
Industrial piercings: Over-sized barbells work well in industrial piercings to accommodate swelling, and the balls will be less likely to snag.
Tragus piercing: Flat-backed studs, or labret earrings, are ideal for piercings like the tragus, as they are less prone to agitate this thick cartilage piercing.
Daith piercings: The most common types of piercing jewelry for daith piercings are hoops.
Rook piercings: The first piece of jewelry for your rook ear piercing will be curved studs or barbells used during the healing process. The curve allows decorative gems or other components to stand out more than a straight barbell. A downside, though, might be the barbell's tendency to flip inwards.
Snug piercings: Curved barbells are the most common type of snug piercing jewelry. They are a popular swap-out or initial jewelry piece. They will sit more off your skin, making them less aggravating to your skin than a straight barbell.
Ear lobes: Studs are a safe bet for newly pierced lobes, but small hoops can also work if they do not produce too much pressure along the piercing hole edge.

How to Clean New Ear Piercings?

Most aftercare instructions will recommend cleaning your piercing site two or three times daily.

A saline rinse is ideal for cleaning, as it lacks harsh chemicals but can still sterilize the piercing hole while it heals. Your piercer may give you a saline solution, or, you can make your own at home by dissolving ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into 1 cup of warm water.

Your cleaning routine should always start with hand washing.
To clean the piercing, you’ll soak something like a cotton ball in the saltwater solution.
Then, you’ll apply it to the front and the back of the piercing to saturate the area. If needed, you can use a dampened cotton swab to gently brush away any crust.
Pat the area dry using a paper towel or low-ply cloth that won’t snag.
To help your piercing heal more quickly, soak the area at least twice daily with your solution. Soak for 3-5 minutes before patting it dry. Depending on the location of your piercing, this may be difficult, but you can use a large bowl or soak a cotton swab in the saline solution and place it on the piercing site.
Avoid using harsh cleaners or alcohol-based products.

How to Care for New Ear Piercings?

Your piercing technician will give you an aftercare sheet that describes the steps involved in caring for your new ear piercing. Follow all instructions, as this gives you the best chance to avoid infections, rejections, and longer healing times.

You must leave your new piercing alone, so do not touch it or remove the jewelry.
Avoid sleeping on the ear you had pierced.
Avoid contact with scented soaps, perfumes, chemicals, and other chemicals.
Always clean your hands before you perform any maintenance on it.
Clean your piercing two or three times daily.
Watch your piercing and speak with your doctor if you notice unusual redness, swelling, discharge, pain, or a widening piercing hole that may indicate a piercing rejection.
Use only the antibiotic ointments or orals that a health care provider recommends or prescribes to you.
Waiting until your piercing hole has reached the mature stage of healing before changing out jewelry helps to avoid complications.