How To Insert Pierced Earrings

It is important to know how to insert pierced earrings into your ears. While it sounds like an easy task, your ears may become infected if the earrings are not placed into your ears properly. Signs of infection are: redness, swelling and pus.

1. Wash your hands. This is the first step to avoid infection. Use warm water and soap, and lather up your hands for at least 20 seconds. Good hygiene is necessary when inserting pierced earrings.

2. Clean the earrings you plan to wear with rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and thoroughly clean the backs of the earrings. This will help prevent any dirt or other contaminants from being placed into your pierced ears. It is important to do this whether your earrings are new or old.

3. Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball or swab. Wipe the front and back of your earlobes with the wet cotton ball or swab. This will help clean and disinfect your earlobes.

4. Stand in front of a mirror. While looking into a mirror, gently tug on your left earlobe so that the ear piercing is visible. Carefully insert the back wire or hook directly into the piercing. If the earring has a backing, hold the earring in place while you push the back onto the earring. Be sure to leave a small space between your earring back and your earlobe. You do not want your earring back to be squeezing your earlobe.

5. Repeat step four with your right ear.