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What is our ear piercing service?
Ear piercing creates a small opening in the earlobe so a stud can be worn. We carry it out in a private, clean room at our pharmacy, using a sterile single-use piercing system and pre-sterilised studs that are never handled or reused.
Our team is trained in the technique, in infection control and in safe disposal. We mark the position of each piercing first and check you are happy with it before we go ahead, so the placement is even and sits where you want it.
We pierce earlobes only. We do not pierce the upper ear, cartilage, or any other part of the body, because those areas need a different technique and carry a higher risk of problems.
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Who is it for?
Most healthy adults and children can have their earlobes pierced safely. We will ask a few short health questions first so we can check the service is right for you on the day.
If we do not think piercing is suitable, we will explain why and suggest what to do next. That might mean waiting until skin at the site has settled, or speaking to your GP first. You will not be charged for an appointment we cannot safely carry out.
Our ear piercing service is usually suitable if you:
- Want one or both earlobes pierced
- Are generally well on the day of your appointment
- Have healthy, unbroken skin on and around the earlobe
- Are an adult, or a child with a parent or legal guardian present
- Can give informed consent, or have consent given for you
- Are able to look after the piercing for around six weeks
- Have no known allergy to the metals used in our studs
Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can give consent and show ID, and our team will confirm our minimum age policy when you book.
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What to expect at your appointment
Your appointment takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. We begin with a short chat about your health, any allergies and any medicines you take, then explain the procedure and answer your questions.
We clean the earlobe, mark the spot with a surgical pen and ask you to check the position in a mirror. When you are happy, we use a sterile single-use system to place the stud. The piercing itself takes a second or two per ear and most people describe a quick sharp pinch rather than lasting pain.
Afterwards we check both ears, talk you through cleaning and healing, and give you written aftercare advice to take home.
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Risks and things to know
Ear piercing is a minor procedure, but it does break the skin, so there is always a small risk of infection, bleeding, swelling or a reaction to the metal. Rarely, a raised scar (a keloid) can form, particularly if you have had one before.
Some situations mean we will not pierce on the day. We may ask you to see your GP first, or to come back once the skin has healed. Please tell us if you take blood-thinning medicines, have a condition that affects healing such as diabetes, or have a weakened immune system.
We may be unable to pierce if any of the following apply:
- Cartilage or upper-ear piercing
- Infection at the site
- Broken or inflamed skin
- Eczema or psoriasis on the lobe
- History of keloid scarring
- Recent ear surgery
- Nickel or metal allergy
- Blood-thinning medication
- Bleeding disorder
- Weakened immune system
- Unwell on the day
- No parental consent
If you are unsure whether any of these apply to you, speak to our team before booking and we will advise.
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Looking after your new piercing
Earlobes usually heal in about six weeks, but healing varies from person to person. Leave the studs in place for the full healing period, even overnight, so the channel does not close.
Wash your hands before touching your ears. Clean the front and back of each lobe once or twice a day with a sterile saline solution or the aftercare product we recommend, then pat dry with a clean tissue. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and heavy sports for the first couple of weeks, and keep hair products, make-up and headphones away from the site.
A little redness, tenderness or clear crusting in the first few days is normal. Come back and see us if you are worried at any point.
“"They explained everything to my daughter first and let her check the marks in the mirror, so she knew exactly what was happening. It was over in seconds and she was thrilled."”
Sterile, single-use studs
Every stud arrives **pre-sterilised and sealed**, and the piercing system is single use. Nothing is reused between appointments.
Trained pharmacy team
Your piercing is carried out by trained staff in a clean clinical room, with *infection control* built into every step.
No referral needed
Book directly with us online, usually **on the same day**. There is no need to see your GP first.
Aftercare support
We give clear written aftercare advice, and you can **pop back in and ask us** any time while your ears heal.
