Ear piercing in Westerly, RI

Paperwork and ID take five minutes. Rayna marks the spot, checks it with you in the mirror, and pierces with a sterile needle; no piercing guns, ever. The visit is 20 to 30 minutes. You leave with printed aftercare and a saline recommendation.

Jewelry is ASTM F-136 implant-grade titanium or 14k solid gold, threadless, internally polished. Nothing plated, nothing mystery-metal. Titanium basics run $35 to $60, gold ends $90 and up. Every piercing includes a free downsize check at six to eight weeks.

Planning a full ear? Bring a photo of what you like and Rayna will map it to your anatomy; some placements only work on some ears.

Lobe versus cartilage ear piercing

Lobes are soft tissue with good blood flow, which is why they heal in six to eight weeks and are the only placement we do for children, from age 8 with a parent and ID for both. Cartilage is a different job. Helix, forward helix, conch, daith and rook all heal over six to twelve months, and an industrial, which is two holes joined by one bar, takes nine to twelve. Cartilage does not like pressure, so plan on sleeping on the other side for a while and keeping phone, headphones and hair ties away from it.

Ages 16 and 17 can get cartilage with a parent or guardian present and ID for both. The piercing aftercare guide covers saline cleaning, what to avoid, and how to tell normal irritation from a problem.

Downsizing and changing jewelry

Every fresh piercing starts with a slightly longer post so there is room for swelling. Once the swelling settles, usually around six to eight weeks, come back for the free downsize check and Rayna fits a shorter post. That downsize matters more than people think, because a long bar that catches on everything is the most common reason a healing cartilage piercing gets angry.

Do not change to decorative ends or hoops until the piercing has fully healed, and when you do, Rayna can fit them for you. The jewelry page shows the titanium and 14k gold options, and if you want to plan the rest of your face too, see nose piercing. Walk in any shop day, Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 8, or read more about Rayna Lundvall first.