Where to Get Your Ears Pierced? Options

Ear piercing options: a quick comparison

The answer to “Where to get your ears pierced?” depends on the area you want pierced. There are several options for the lobe; for cartilage areas, the right place is a piercing studio. The table below summarises the most common places by method and suitable area.

Ear piercing at a pharmacy

Many pharmacies in Türkiye offer ear piercing. The method is usually a gun that works with an earring loaded in a single-use cartridge: the earring comes out of a sterile pack, the gun does not touch the earring directly and the procedure takes a few seconds. This method is suitable for the lobe only.

If you are thinking of getting pierced at a pharmacy, ask: Is the cartridge opened in front of you? Are gloves worn? Is the skin wiped with antiseptic before the procedure? What is the first earring made of (surgical steel, titanium, etc.)? What aftercare is recommended? If you get clear answers to these questions, it is a practical option for the lobe.

Ear piercing at a jeweller

Jewellers also often pierce the lobe with a gun, usually together with choosing an earring. The key question here is how the gun is cleaned after each procedure and whether the earring comes from a sterile pack. Reusable plastic guns cannot be sterilised in an autoclave; so choosing a single-use cartridge system is the safer approach.

At a jeweller, also pay attention to the material of the first earring chosen. During healing, alloys that may contain nickel or plated jewellery can cause irritation. If you have a nickel sensitivity, see our nickel allergy and piercing jewelry guide.

Ear piercing at a hospital or dermatologist

Some hospitals and dermatology clinics also pierce ears. This option makes sense especially if you have a particular health condition, such as a skin disease, a history of keloids or use of blood-thinning medication, and want to talk to a doctor first. Methods and jewellery options vary by clinic; you may need an appointment.

Ear piercing at a piercing studio

Besides the lobe, piercing studios also pierce cartilage areas such as the helix, tragus, conch, rook, daith and industrial. Cartilage piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle, because a gun pushes the earring through the tissue with blunt force and can cause tissue damage, swelling and healing problems in cartilage. Professional piercer associations also recommend not using guns on cartilage.

At a studio, the angle and position of the hole are also marked according to your anatomy, jewellery of a suitable length is chosen to allow for swelling during healing, and shortening the jewellery (downsizing) is planned once the swelling goes down. For details on the gun versus needle question, read our piercing gun or needle guide.

Where should you go for which area?

• Lobe (first earring hole): A pharmacy, jeweller, clinic or piercing studio. All are options if the hygiene routine and the jewellery material are suitable.
• Second or third lobe hole: The same; if you are planning a combination, a studio has the advantage of marking the spacing in advance. See how to plan an ear stack.
• Helix, tragus, conch, rook, daith, industrial: A piercing studio that works only with needles. For example: helix piercing guide.
• Children and babies: There are separate rules on parental presence, age and method; details are in our baby ear piercing guide.

Wherever you go: a 7-point checklist

1. Is the needle or cartridge single-use, and is it opened in front of you?
2. Does the practitioner put on new gloves for every procedure?
3. Is the skin wiped with antiseptic before the procedure, and is the spot marked and shown to you?
4. Is the material of the first jewellery clearly stated (surgical steel, titanium, etc.)?
5. If a cartilage piercing is requested, is a needle used instead of a gun?
6. Are you given written or clear verbal information about aftercare and healing time?
7. Is there a contact channel you can reach later if there is a problem?

For a more detailed checklist, see our choosing a piercing studio guide.

What does the price of ear piercing depend on?

The price depends on the area to be pierced, the method (gun or needle) and the material of the first jewellery. Current prices at Cadde Piercing Studio: lobe with a gun 200 TL, lobe with a needle 400 TL, helix and tragus 450 TL, conch and rook 550 TL, daith 750 TL. Surgical steel standard jewellery is included in the price; titanium jewellery is 350 TL, and 350 TL is added to the piercing price when titanium jewellery is used for the piercing (for example, helix 450 + 350 = 800 TL). For the full list, see our prices page.

The first days after piercing

The lobe usually heals in 6–8 weeks and cartilage areas in 6–12 months. During this time, the basic rules are not to twist the jewellery, to clean the hole once or twice a day with sterile saline solution, not to touch the jewellery with dirty hands and not to sleep on the pierced side. For step-by-step aftercare, see our how to clean a new piercing and piercing healing times guides. If you have prolonged redness, increasing pain, fever or dark-coloured discharge, see a doctor.

If you want to get your ears pierced in Ümraniye, you can ask us on WhatsApp or book an appointment; walk-ins are welcome too. Our studio is open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sunday 11:00–20:00.

Official and reliable sources

• APP (Association of Professional Piercers): Aftercare recommendations (PDF)
• The Point (APP journal): articles on piercing guns
• NHS: Signs of an infected piercing

FAQ

Can you get your ears pierced at a pharmacy?

Yes. Many pharmacies in Türkiye pierce the lobe with a single-use cartridge gun. For cartilage areas, a piercing studio that works with needles should be chosen instead of a pharmacy.

Can cartilage be pierced with a gun?

It is not recommended. Because a gun pushes the earring through with blunt force, it can cause tissue damage, swelling and prolonged healing problems in cartilage. Areas such as the helix, tragus and conch should be pierced with a sterile needle.

Is it safe to get your ears pierced at a jeweller?

Safety depends on the system used and the hygiene routine. If there is a single-use cartridge, gloves, skin antisepsis and a first earring of a suitable material, it is an option for the lobe; reusable guns should be avoided because they cannot be sterilised.

How long does ear piercing take?

The piercing itself takes a few seconds. Including cleaning the area, marking and confirming the spot and inserting the jewellery, the whole process usually takes 10–15 minutes.

When can you change your earrings after ear piercing?

For the lobe it is usually 6–8 weeks, and for cartilage you wait at least a few months. Changing too early can irritate the hole; it is recommended to have the first change done where you were pierced.

Where to get your ears pierced in Ümraniye?

Cadde Piercing Studio pierces lobes and cartilage in Ümraniye Çarşı (İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B). You can walk in or ask about availability on WhatsApp (+90 533 250 01 77).

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.