Frequently Asked Questions about Ear and Nose Piercing
The Inverness System offers one of the safest ear-piercing experiences available, featuring two specially designed safety innovations. Fully enclosed, pre-sterilized earring capsules protect both the earrings and the exclusive Safety Back™ from exposure to contaminants. These capsules remain sealed until the moment of piercing, ensuring the earrings are never exposed prior to safe insertion.
The Inverness Safety Back™ is designed to support proper healing by shielding the piercing tip and preventing the backing from being applied too tightly. This allows for healthy airflow and helps reduce the risk of irritation or embedding during the healing process.
Is it safe to pierce my baby’s ears?
Yes. Ear piercing for babies is common worldwide. Inverness recommends waiting until after the first DPT vaccination, which is typically given at 8 weeks of age. Ultimately, this is a personal decision, and we encourage parents to consult with their baby’s pediatrician before proceeding.
Inverness avoids using the term “gun” because our device is very different. Unlike traditional piercing guns, which are spring-loaded, loud, and forcefully shoot the earring through the ear, our piercing instrument is specially engineered and hand-pressured. This allows for a smooth, quiet, and precise piercing in one controlled motion, resulting in a more comfortable and accurate experience.
Cartilage is the firm, flexible tissue found in the upper part of the ear, while the earlobe is softer and contains more blood supply. Because cartilage has a more limited blood flow, it can take longer to heal and requires extra care. The diagram below illustrates the areas where it is safe to use the Inverness System for piercing both the outer ear cartilage and the earlobe.
How long does it take for an ear piercing to heal?
The average healing time is approximately 6 weeks for earlobe piercings and about 12 weeks for cartilage piercings. We recommend keeping your piercing earrings in place and following all aftercare instructions throughout the entire healing period. For additional tips and details on what to expect after your piercing, please refer to our After Care Tips & Timeline.
Is it OK to change my earrings or remove them during the healing period?
We recommend waiting until the healing period is complete before changing your earrings—approximately 6 weeks for earlobe piercings and 12 weeks for cartilage piercings. Newly pierced ears are sensitive and require proper care during healing. Removing earrings too soon, even briefly, may cause the piercing to close or make reinsertion difficult, as the piercing may not be fully healed.
You must be 18 years or older and bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment and provide consent.