I had my ears pierced when I was fifteen, using a gun, and over the years became increasingly unhappy with where my original holes were - one was too high and the other was too close to the edge of my ear.
During lockdown (they now seem to have merged into one), I wanted to buy some earrings from another jeweller as part of the Artist’s Support Pledge. They were heavier and longer than the earrings I’d usually wear. I just wasn’t happy with the way they looked and it made me think again about my piercings. If, like me, you have ear piercings that are uneven or in the wrong place I thought I’d share some ideas, tips and solutions and more of my personal ear-piercing story (which still makes me cringe!).
1. Do Nothing
I’m pretty sure that no one will notice if your ear piercings are uneven or not where you’d like them to be. I’d guess it’s not something people will have mentioned. No one pointed out that my ear piercings were in a strange place and I have some quite outspoken friends! I’ve been a jewellery designer and maker for more than twenty-five years and had the joy of seeing lots of people try on and wear earrings that I’ve designed and made. I can tell you that I really don’t think it matters if your piercings are slightly high, slightly low, slightly to one side or wonky! Choosing the right earrings can also make the world of difference. The right jewellery will still light up your complexion, express your personality and add the finishing touch to an outfit.
The photo below shows how my new hole looks with dangly earring in my better located old piercing and also wearing new tiny hoops for my second hole.
2. Choose Your Jewellery Carefully
Uneven Piercing - As a general rule, small studs, such as my best-selling Satsuma Studs, will make uneven piercings much less noticeable than bigger studs.
Holes too Low - Try a cuff style earring that sits up the ear such as my Urchin Earrings.
Holes too High - Try an earring that sits along the earlobe such as these Dotty Peridot Antler Crawlers.
3. Have the Posts on Your Earrings Moved
As an independent jewellery designer and maker, I’m able to move the posts on the back of most stud earrings to even out their appearance when worn. Do get in touch via email (link) if you’d like to find out more.
4. Re-Pierce Your Ears
Here’s where my story continues. After much deliberation I decided to have my ears re-pieced so I would have two holes in each earlobe, which I thought would also be quite interesting. This is something to consider if you are not happy with the location of your original ear piercings as I was. The photo above shows a stud in my new hole and a small hoop in the old one.
I booked to go to a local place in Tunbridge Wells, where my daughter had previously had a good experience. The first step was a planning appointment to work out if a second hole would fit and leave enough gap from the old hole. On the day they drew on the positioning of the new holes. Once the position is agreed they go for it. These days you are told not to turn the new piercing and just spray with a special cleaning spray. I found the piercing was straight forward but had eight weeks with a sore ear. (I DID turn my earring to start with, which I realise now that I shouldn’t have done!) I finally decided to put in some little circular sleepers. I have no idea how I did this but I managed to put the little sleeper into my old hole on one side and didn’t realise for quite some time! I’m still kicking myself now, but this story has a happy ending. I had to have that side re-pierced again, this time I left the new piercing well alone, it hasn’t hurt at all and I’m really pleased with the way it looks! In the photo below you can see the sleeper I put in my new hole so it more comfortable at night.
Here’s what I learnt through having my ears pierced
- DO choose a reputable ear-piercer who uses a needle rather than a piercing gun as it’s more accurate and less traumatic for your ear.
- DO NOT touch or move the new piercings and use the cleaning spray provided. I discovered that - if you are left-handed, you are more likely to fiddle with your left ear; and if you’re right-handed, with your right ear. Really try to resist as I found out first hand!
- To start with most piercers will use a screw threaded ball. Once you can change your earring, I found changing to tiny pure gold sleeper more comfortable.
FAQs
The only real uneven ear piercing fix is to take out the earring and let the hole close up. This can be done for both piercings or just one. Once the holes completely heal, you can have the earlobes re-pierced.
What to do if a piercing is in the wrong spot? ›
If a piercing is done incorrectly or heals poorly, it sometimes needs to be re-pierced. It's a simple solution, but it's a lengthy one. You need to wait until the piercing closes over and heals to get it pierced again. If you pierce it again to soon, you'll end up with the same problem again.
How to fix uneven ear lobes? ›
Plastic Surgery Ear Lobe Repair
The procedure involves injecting local anesthetic into the ear lobe, then rearranging the skin of the lobe to achieve an excellent cosmetic result and suturing with a thin absorbable suture. The ear may be subsequently repierced about six weeks following the procedure.
What to do if an ear piercing goes wrong? ›
If the piercing is only partially closed
- Take a bath or shower. ...
- Lubricate your ear with a non-antibiotic ointment (like Aquaphor or Vaseline) to keep the skin pliable.
- Gently stretch your earlobe to help open up the area and thin the piercing hole.
- Carefully try pushing the earring through the back side of the earlobe.
You may have even had (or currently have) an infection that is altering the inside of your piercing site... Regardless of the reason, only a pro piercer should diagnose the damage done to your piercing. In most crooked cases, you'll most likely need to be re-pierced.
What happens if a piercing goes wrong? ›
Whatever the case, a good piercer will be both willing and able to fix the mistake. And if a fix can't happen that day, they will usually offer to repierce or correct for free as soon as it's safe to do so. A great piercer won't let you leave with something that isn't correct.
How to fix a shifted piercing? ›
This cannot be fixed and the piercing would have to be pulled, allowed to heal and then repierced. As a reaction to the shifting angle or even just getting sagged more often your piercing my develop the irritation bumps.
Can you correct an ear piercing? ›
Fortunately, old ear piercings can be closed with in-office treatment from a well-qualified facial plastic surgeon. Although earlobe repair may require an otoplasty (ear surgery) procedure depending on the nature of your concerns, treatment is relatively straightforward when compared to other cosmetic surgeries.
Is it bad to re pierce your ears in the same spot? ›
Also, it is often just the entry and exit points which have healed over. As a result, getting re-pierced in the same location can be a good location for a piercing to be re-established. This is because the dense tissue will support the piercing and be less prone to infection.
Can you fix uneven ears without surgery? ›
Like any minor procedure bleeding, bruising and swelling can happen as well as the small risk of infection. The only non-surgical technique which may be applicable is ear splinting, such as the use of ear buddies. Ear splints work best for misshapen ears and are less successful for prominent ears.
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to fix them on your own. If you've grown your hair out or avoided photos from certain angles because of your ears, it might be time to consider enlisting the help of surgery at LPS.
Why is one of my ear holes bigger than the other? ›
The unevenness of the ears may be caused due to any one or more of the following reasons: The unevenness is congenital (occurring since birth) One ear is smaller than the other (microtic ear) Hearing loss in one ear has led to an increase in the size of that ear for compensatory reasons.
What if my ear piercings are uneven? ›
If they are closed, there's a good chance you can simply get new piercings in a more symmetrical placement with no issues. If your holes are still open, this would be a good opportunity to ask a professional piercer if your anatomy would allow for a new set of piercings.
How do you fix a botched ear piercing? ›
Surgery is the only solution. Several specialists surgically repair piercings, including plastic surgeons, dermatologists and otolaryngologists with this skill set. Choose a physician who is board-certified in dermatology or plastic surgery or fellowship-trained in facial plastic surgery.
How do you know if your piercing is going wrong? ›
For an early or minor infection, you may notice changes to the skin around the piercing. It might: Turn red or darker than your normal skin color. Feel warm.
What to do if my ear piercing isn't straight? ›
You can go back to your piercer, or find another shop and ask their opinion. If it's brand new, it could just look crooked from swelling. If it's not completely out of wack, occasionally you can “train” it to heal straight. But don't do that unless advised and shown by a trained piercer.
How do I make sure my ear piercings are even? ›
To get a perfect balance look you could try :
- Pairing a small hoop or stud in one lobe with a larger hoop or statement earring in the other lobe.
- Wearing three small hoops or studs in each lobe.
- Alternating between different earrings in each lobe.
The unevenness of the ears may be caused due to any one or more of the following reasons: The unevenness is congenital (occurring since birth) One ear is smaller than the other (microtic ear) Hearing loss in one ear has led to an increase in the size of that ear for compensatory reasons.
