Getting your ears pierced for the first time is such a pivotal moment in one’s life. Most of us can remember going to Claire’s or a stand at the mall with our parents for the special event and then getting to choose what jewelry to wear once our ears had completely healed. These are memories we’ll always treasure, and if you have ever considered getting more piercings done, a double ear piercing is a natural place to start.

These piercings are exactly what they sound like—piercings that go above the first piercing for that double-earring look. Although quite simple in terms of an earscape, double ear piercings are sort of the gateway to additional piercings down the line. For starters, we know that getting a piercing on your lobe is way less painful than on cartilage, and it’ll also help warm you up visually to the idea of having more than one earring in your ear.

It may seem like a simple decision, but there’s a lot to consider before getting any piercing. So, we turned to two professional piercers and two dermatologists to break down all that you need to know. Keep scrolling for everything from how much getting a double piercing hurts to how long they take to heal.

What Is a Double Ear Piercing?

A double ear piercing is two consecutive single piercings placed next to each other on the lower part of the earlobe. Often, double ear piercings are done one at a time—that is, a single ear piercing is done, then the second is added later. However, recent trends have made getting two piercings at once quite popular (plus, it saves time by not making you come in twice).

How Does a Double Ear Piercing Work?

A double ear piercing works the same way as a single piercing does, just times two. First, the front and back of the area are cleaned, then the lobe is marked where the two piercings will be placed. When it comes down to the actual piercing, your piercer may use a clamp to pull the skin taut or decide to do it freehand—whichever is more comfortable for them. The needle is then pushed through the ear to create a hole, which is sealed by pushing the jewelry through and into place. Then, the process is repeated for the second hole.

Does it Hurt to Get a Double Ear Piercing?

Lobes are considered one of the least painful places to get a piercing, so it probably won’t hurt too much. If anything, it’ll be a quick pain that dissipates in the hours—and sometimes minutes—after the piercing is complete. “I always compare it to a flu shot so clients can decide for themselves, as everyone’s pain tolerance [is different],” says Workman. What may feel like a 10 on the pain scale to one person may feel like a two to someone else. “Two people getting the same piercing may have two completely different experiences,” adds piercer, Audri Siple.

If you are getting the piercings at once, it’s common for the second piercing to hurt a bit more than the first, as your body is still attempting to recover.

Healing Time For a Double Ear Piercing

You can expect double piercings to heal in about six to eight weeks. Be sure not to mess with the piercing or try to change out the jewelry before the healing time is up; otherwise, you may end up irritating the piercing, which could potentially lead to an infection.

Cost of a Double Ear Piercing

A double ear piercing will run you anywhere from $50-$100, as single piercings generally range between $25-$50.

The cost of a piercing depends on several factors, including the shop’s location, your piercer’s experience level, and where on the ear you’re hoping to get pierced. “Each studio sets its own prices,” says Siple. Additionally, she says you should “always double-check with each individual studio and ask if the jewelry is included” since some will charge extra.

Double Ear Piercing Aftercare

“Aftercare is the most important thing our clients can do to help their piercings heal quickly and safely,” says Siple. “The less the piercings are touched, the faster they heal.” Aftercare for a double ear piercing may seem like extra effort, considering you have to do it twice, but you can clean both piercings at the same time (so it won’t require more elbow grease).

The best way to take care of your piercing is to start by washing your hands to ensure they’re as sterile as possible. Then, saturate a sterile gauze pad with a saline solution or fill a small container for a salt soak. If you use the pad method, gently press it on the front and back of both piercings while squeezing the cotton to release the saline solution.

If you’d prefer to soak the piercing, rest it gently in the solution for a few minutes until the piercings are saturated. “The key is to avoid touching and manipulating the earring, as this will cause additional irritation and delay wound healing,” says dermatologist, James Y. Wang, MD.

Side Effects of Double Ear Piercings

“If the piercing is not properly cared for, inflammation and infection are possible, leading to yellow discharge, [a] persistent warm or throbbing sensation, redness, burning, itching, or even headaches,” says Tiffany Wang, a dermatology physician associate.

• Inflammation: If you see your piercing site swell up suddenly—and the swelling doesn’t seem to go away—you’re most likely experiencing inflammation (rather than the typical brief swelling that comes from getting a piercing). While not a major issue on its own, inflammation could be a symptom of something worse, like an infection, so it’s something to keep an eye on.
• Infection: If you’re worried about the inflammation or notice other symptoms like an overly tender piercing site or a fever, you may have an infected piercing. Contact a medical professional immediately to stop the infection from getting worse.
• Yellow discharge: Another sign of something being wrong with your piercing is the site oozing yellow discharge. While off-white liquid seen in the first day or two is totally normal, if you see anything that looks yellow or green that sticks around days after the piercing is performed, something is probably wrong with your new piercing.

How to Change Out a Double Ear Piercing

A double ear piercing, just like a single earlobe stud, can easily be changed out at home; however, you must make sure it has completely healed first. “Changing out the jewelry prematurely can result in numerous issues, and once the jewelry is removed, [it] has the potential to swell shut—resulting in loss of the piercing completely,” says Workman.

To check whether or not your piercing is finished healing, check to see that it is no longer red, swollen, bleeding, forming a crust, or tender to the touch. A healed piercing will also be able to move freely without force. Workman suggests using a bit of Vaseline around the piercing site to help easily slide the jewelry in and out—but to ensure it’s fully healed, make sure you can move the jewelry comfortably without any ointments first.

If you don’t feel comfortable doing the first (or tenth) jewelry change yourself, you can always visit your piercer and have them do it for you. This way, you can be sure it’s safe and done correctly.

What Type of Jewelry is Used For a Double Ear Piercing?

While there is an infinite variety of jewelry that you can choose from once your new piercings are healed, you’re typically limited to the small stud you were pierced with until then. Small studs are small pieces of metal with a backing that clamps the rounded, fixed side of the stud to the ear. Some backs may be flat for comfortability, but those can be more difficult to change on your own.

What Jewelry Material is Used For a Double Ear Piercing?

• Gold: If you prefer the look of gold jewelry, it’s completely possible (and safe) to choose jewelry made out of gold. Some gold jewelry, like white gold, does contain nickel, so check with your piercer first to be sure you won’t have an allergic reaction to the metal. Your gold should also be more than 14 karats—Dr. Wang recommends 18 karats—because anything less could harbor harmful bacteria.
• Implant-grade steel: Steel is the most common type of metal for piercings because it’s relatively problem-free and comes in various colors. If you’re allergic to nickel, however, surgical steel will irritate your skin.
• Titanium: Since it does not contain nickel, titanium is the best option for those with sensitive skin or a nickel allergy. Titanium also comes in myriad colors and styles, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on an aesthetic when choosing titanium.