Author:
Charles Brown
Date Of Creation:
6 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
The pleasure of getting your ears pierced can be muffled when pierced ears go against the reality of your employee handbook, dress code at school, or the conservative ideas of your parents. You can't keep taking your earrings in and out because they shouldn't be removed for six weeks after piercing to allow the piercing to heal properly. Fortunately, there are a number of tricks for temporarily hiding new earrings, and a number of further options after you have passed the first six weeks.
To step
Method 1 of 2: Hide net pierced ears
Keep your first earrings in continuously for six weeks. If your ears were only recently pierced, you should not remove your earrings. Doing this for the first six weeks after piercing puts you at risk of bruising and bleeding, as well as closing your holes and increasing the risk of infection. - This point cannot be overemphasized! If you think you won't be able to keep your earrings in that long, think about waiting to get your ears pierced until the circumstances of your life allow it. Clip earrings are a temporary option that doesn't require time commitment, and magnetic earrings can even be used on the cartilage.
- Cartilage piercings, however, usually take much longer to heal properly and completely; between three and twelve months.
Cut the ball off a small, inexpensive mail earring. If you decide to have your ears pierced with the smallest earring post possible, you can remove the back of the earring, push the post forward as far as possible (while holding it in your ear), and remove the ball from the post with a wire cutter cut off. After you have pushed the post back to its normal position and put the back of it back, the post should look like little more than a small mole. - It is recommended that you get the help of a parent for this, and be extremely careful when using a wire cutter on your ear.
Cover them with skin-colored patches. The most important word here is "cover". This won't hide the fact that your ears are pierced, but it will hide the earrings themselves. If covering the earrings is more important than keeping them a secret, try this option. - This is useful when you exercise or engage in other athletic activities. Make sure the clubs you attend allow this method before getting your ears pierced.
- Various combinations of sports tape and bandages can also be used for this.
Wear your hair long and down. Longer hair (anything beyond your ear piercing, for this purpose) is very beneficial for hiding earrings. Consider growing out your hair before getting your ears pierced if you think you'll need to hide the earrings. - Grow hair at least a few inches beyond the height of your piercing so that you can have consistent coverage when you move.
- This is generally effective for cartilage piercings regardless of gender, as shorter hairstyles can still cover the cartilage area of your ear well.
- For occasions that require putting your hair back in a ponytail, you can wear a low tail and let your hair hang over your ears when pulled back.
Wear scarves, hats and caps when appropriate. While this won't work for every situation (good luck explaining why you wrapped a scarf around your head for dinner), it can work for jobs that require you to work in colder weather, and when you go to and from school. Beanies, headbands and "trapper" hats can be pulled low over your ears for this to work. - Baseball caps can also help by pushing down bulky, bouncy hair to better cover your ears.
Take care your freshly pierced ears. For several days after having your ears pierced, both the earring and the earlobe should be gently cleaned with rubbing alcohol applied twice a day with a cotton ball. Your earrings will be very striking when the area becomes inflamed! - Always wash your hands before cleaning your earrings and piercing holes.
- Advice differs on whether or not you should spin your earrings around in your holes; while some recommend that you rotate them slightly at night before going to bed, others recommend that you do not rotate them at all. Follow the instructions of the professional who pierced your ears, but it is generally agreed that it is not okay to constantly touch and turn your earrings.
Method 2 of 2: Keep your earrings secret
Remove your earrings if necessary. This may seem obvious, but after you have completed the first six weeks, you can simply remove your earrings when the circumstances call for it. Bodies can lock up piercing holes after unpredictable periods of time, but it is very unlikely that your holes will close after a day or weekend. - Most piercings will close when there is nothing in them - this will happen after a time from a few days to a few weeks.
- A thin membrane can grow over the hole without the hole actually closing; usually jewelry can be pushed back through this with minimal pain. Try applying antibiotic ointment to the area if you are having trouble with this.
- Reopening a (partially) closed hole is also possible, if the earrings have to stay out of your ears for longer periods of time.
- Cartilage piercings, unlike earlobe piercings, can last much longer without jewelry without closing. As already mentioned in part one, the healing process for these piercings is also much longer compared to earlobe piercings.
Use quartz retainers. Clear quartz jewelry can be worn to keep your earring holes open with discreet results. While they are by no means invisible, clear jewelry must be viewed closely in order to be seen. - Clear acrylic jewelry is less recommended due to quality problems, but these are also an option.
- Clear jewelry is not recommended for your very first earrings; your first earrings should be 14 carat gold or stainless steel, as these are less likely to cause infection or swelling. Other metals can also cause allergic reactions.
Choose skin-colored jewelry. Small skin-colored post earrings work in a similar way to clear earrings, but may be even less visible. Stretched ear lobes, while difficult to hide, are particularly successful with skin-colored plugs. - These can be found in different types of materials, such as acrylic and various silicone types.
Apply concealer to your piercings. If you'd like to keep it a secret that you even have holes in your ears, remove your earrings and apply a little bit of concealer or foundation to your holes. Make sure to choose the right shade for your skin. 
Take advantage of the perspective of multiple piercings. If you'd like to take the attention away from a second piercing, try a much larger stud, jewel, or hoop for your first piercing hole. The first piercing will catch the eye, making your second piercing less noticeable. 
Think about which battles are most important to you. As much as you may want to wear a particular style of earring, or go for something a little more stylish like a smoke, conch, daith, or industrial piercing, think about the environments in which you will wear it. You may not have to spend as much energy hiding your earrings or arguing with your boss if you're going for minimalist jewelry or more conservative piercing styles. - These are at the same time your ears that you are going to decorate. You just need to make sure you are aware of the situations in your life that may be less susceptible to adventurous ear piercing.
Tips
- Don't play with your earrings when talking to your parents or boss. This draws attention to your piercing.
- Try not to tilt your head if you are wearing paired drop earrings.
- A wide sports headband will also work, especially for those who need to wear their hair up. Flashy, bright colors are beneficial as it will draw attention away from your earrings and towards your headband. Make sure you find one that fits really well (an adjustable one is ideal) or the headband might fall.
- Do not keep touching / checking your hair throughout the day as that may draw attention to that area.
Warnings
- Little can be done to really hide an ear piercing on closer examination. Be aware that there is no foolproof concealment method.
