Double ear piercing - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Double ear piercing

Gigi

Veteran

I have been thinking about getting my ears pierced a second time (I already have one piercing). I am wondering about getting one ear pierced as opposed to both but may go with both simply because (1) my face and body are pretty symmetrical, so the balanced piercings will mimic already-existing symmetry; and (2) I have a high forehead, which makes my face look long, so an extra piercing on both sides will have the visual effect of "expanding" my facial width.

For those of you who have (or have had) double piercings:

Did you get one ear pierced only, or both?

Did you ever get tired of the double piercing and just revert to your single piercing and let the double piercing close up?

If you have both ears double pierced, does it look strange to wear a second earring in only one ear, if you should decide to go for an asymmetric look for the day?

General

31 replies

Latest reply was from La Reine

MsMary

Veteran

I have both double-pierced. Generally I just wear earrings in one piercing per ear but I do wear double often enough to keep the second holes open. I don't generally do the asymmetric look although I don't think anybody would notice or care about the extra empty piercing.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have a double piercing in my left ear. I also have a cartilage piercing in the top of my left ear. So three on one side, one on the other. This was about as wild and crazy as I get. :). I permanently have small silver hoops in my "extra" holes. I've had the second lower one since the late 80's and the cartilage since the early 90s. Never considered letting them grow over, although I'm not sure I'd do it again. I like it, it's me.

pil

Veteran

I had one ear double pierced way back in college and wore a plain stud in the second piercing. Kind of got out of the habit of wearing the second earring over the years and the piercing has since closed.

Sara L.

Veteran

I had a second hole pierced in college but I let it close up a few years ago. I don't wear earrings very often so it seemed unnecessary. I only had two holes on the left side and liked the asymmetrical look.

April

Veteran

Same as pil, down to the plain stud in the second piercing.

Not sure if the second piercing has closed or not. It's been years since I put an earring in it, but the last time I did it was still open -- and I was in college in the 80s.

April

Veteran

Same as pil, down to the plain stud in the second piercing.

Not sure if the second piercing has closed or not. It's been years since I put an earring in it, but the last time I did it was still open -- and I was in college in the 80s.

Thistle

Veteran

I had mine double pierced. I never wore earrings in the second hole enough and they both closed. I did pierce both though. But, I do so like my symmetry.

deb

Veteran

I have a double piercing in my left ear and a triple in my right. I have been wearing two sets of diamonds in both ears for the last five or so years. Once in a while I wear my small ruby in my third hole.

MuseumGal

Veteran

I have 4 holes in my right ear and 3 in the left. Been this way since the early 80s. I've gone years at a time leaving one or more hole empty, but they've never closed. I've worn small hoops in all the extra holes for probably 10 years now plus statement earrings in the main piercings most days. The funny thing is that no one ever notices the extra earrings. They are largely invisible to the world, but they have meaning to me, and I love the asymmetry.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I've had a number of piercings over the years which I have let grow in (mostly ears, although once at college I did my belly button myself with a suture needle, which is, btw, the prince of bad ideas) and I kind of think this one hole/two holes thing is a personal decision. It's like asking someone why they think chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla. It's not. You might just like chocolate better. You like what you like! Personally, I prefer asymmetrical, and currently have two widely spaced holes on the left (but still both on the earlobe, not the cartilage. I find cartilage piercings physically uncomfortable. They dig into my head!) and three close-together holes on the right. It's like having a bowling pin split on one side (you know, two pins with a big space in the middle!) and three side-by-side pins on the other, lol.

I also personally prefer either quite a lot of earrings, or else only a single, "normal" set. This is very much a personal aesthetic thing. For me, a "collection" of small rings in your earlobes constitutes a "look", whereas one extra stud in one or both ears is barely noticeable. Again, totally my personal preference. Others will disagree.

Anyway, do whatever makes you happy. If you think that symmetrical piercings will "widen" your face in a desirable way, go for it. I'm not sure I'm convinced that will be the effect (honestly, almost nobody notices tiny earrings), but it's worth a try...you can always let one grow in. Or, conversely, you can pierce only one and if you don't like it, go back and do the other side.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Back in the day, I double pierced one ear, and then double pierced the other when I got a third one in the first. So I was always asymmetrical. I dunno, I liked the look and the vibe of it. I've let all the 'extra' piercings close up but if I wanted to I could probably get them repierced pretty easily. Honestly, I rarely wear earrings at all anymore - maybe because my hair is long now or because I'm less interested in jewelry in general?

Anyway, I like the idea of asymmetric piercings, especially with matching earrings. That tends to be my preference - something not huge, a small hoop etc, in the top piercings and then a regular earring if wanted in the lower ones.

cciele

Veteran

I'm also a big fan of asymmetry too! Currently I have a regular piercing and stretched piercing in one ear, and the other ear has a tragus (no lobe piercings). That means I never wear matched sets of earrings

Liz A.

Veteran

Oh my. I pierced my own ears in high school, and I have three on the left and two on the right. Asymmetrical was the style at the time. If I were to do it now I'd probably do symmetrical. They've never really closed except maybe a slight film over the back which is easily dealt with.
I've also had my cartilage pierced which was painful for six months so I took it out. Now I don't wear earrings much except my two tragus rings which are fixtures by now. I find studs painful as the pointy backs stab me in my sleep, but I like the little rings. People always notice them and comment.

froggiebecky

Veteran

I had a double piercing for a while. I got it done several years after the first set, and the instant I tried to change out of the original earrings, they got horribly swollen and gross. I sought out a piercer at a tattoo parlour for advice, and he diagnosed it as a metal allergy, which supposedly is reasonably frequent, even if you can, and do, wear whatever you like in the first set (and even though the site of the new hole is millimetres away from the first hole). He said I needed to stick to titanium earrings from then out for those (and any further) piercings.

So that kinda took the fun out of it.

I left those piercings (with some studs he gave me) for years, and finally took them out a few months ago. They closed up lickety split.

I also had a nose stud for a while, but gave that one up after 2 months because it wouldn't heal for anything. Apparently I'm just not meant for piercings.

If you go for it, I would strongly recommend going to a tattoo/piercing parlour. They were the most professional and gentle folks I've ever dealt with!

Astrid

Veteran

I have mine double pierced on both sides, I had the second ones done when I was sixteen. I mostly wore two small stud earrings on each side, I liked it better that way although everyone said I should leave one out because asymetrical would be "better".
I haven't worn the second ones for maybe three years and I don't think it looks off. That said, I thought of going back to wearing second studs a while ago and I could open them up again - holes rarely close completely once they've been healed up the first time, they just get kind of "clogged". Now you made me think of going back again...

Echo

Veteran

I have double holes on both sides, although I haven't worn earrings in the second holes in decades. But they never close, and even if they did the dimple would still be there, making it look like it was pierced anyway. If I could go back, I wouldn't have as many piercings, but we are all different. And while at times I chose to wear things asymmetrically, I would never pierce asymmetrically and not have the option to wear a balanced look.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I'm a pierced person, and I (obviously) love the look. I have 11 in my right ear (triple anti-helix, two helixes, five coming down the edge into the lobe, and the standard lobe), and 7 in my left (triple snug, helix, rook, and two in the lobe), plus nostril and septum piercings (the septum is tucked away for work). So I guess I prefer asymmetrical as a rule. [Why all the ears? My mom made me promise as a young teen punk that I wouldn't pierce my face - her words were "You can pierce your ears as many times as you want, but don't pierce your face." Her logic was that holes in my face would make seeking employment more difficult. As a result: lots of piercings in my ears - my nostril and septum piercings both came in my late 30s]

I keep my jewelry pretty small and matching, and leave my bottom/ first holes open to change out (pearl studs are a favourite). Everything else stays in all the time, and has throughout my tenure at various corporate offices. But I approach piercings as modifications, not variables, if that makes sense? So once they're in, for me, they STAY in, other than the lobe piercing I got as a baby.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I got single piercings as a child, and double piercings as a teen, and hardly ever wore two earrings in one ear. And the last time I wore earrings was on my wedding day 17 years ago. Clearly I am not the right person to ask about double piercings.

EveningMood

I had my right earlobe double pierced in my teens, and used to wear a single very dramatic earring in it alongside my "normal" pair (a little chain, a tiny dagger, a skull, a safety pin). The asymmetry was the point. Then I grew tired of it and the extra piercing closed, but I don't regret it since nowadays I only wear small diamond studs.

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I have double piercings in both ears, but gave up on the second hole years ago. I do however have a tragus piercing in my right ear, which I love.

viva

Veteran

I have a triple hole in my right ear and a single in my left, but for the last 15 years or so (I am 50) I have worn only a single pair of earrings. For the last 2 or 3 years, usually studs, although I break out really sparkly big chandeliers when I want to make a splash (usually worn with jeans).
The multiple hole thing for me was very much a phase -- second hole at 18, third in college. I always wore smaller studs in the additional holes and I liked how it looked, but then again it was the 80s and asymmetry ruled. I still like asymmetry, though, in fashion and decor. Anyway It was fine and fun but not a lasting thing. I think the holes are still there but they don't show.
I think this is a very easy way to play. I say, go for it!

elation

I’ve had my ears pierced eight times because they kept closing, and at one point had two cartilage piercings on the right, and double lobes on both ears. Right now I have a double lobe on the left, and a single lobe and single helix cartilage on the right. I did like studs, but now am wearing a fake safety pin (it’s really a surgical steel legit earring) in the second hole with matching studs in the lobes.

Personally, I like the look of double piercings, but I feel like my asymmetry is somewhat ‘balanced’ because I have the cartilage piercing in the ear with the single lobe piercing. This also lets me put something different and unusual in the second hole.

rachylou

Veteran

I have three holes in my left ear, two in my right. Sometimes I wear just the two classic earrings, sometimes three, sometimes all five - not that I wear jewelry much at all. I don't.

Anyhoo, wearing two on each side is probably not something I'd consider. That would look odd to me. Not my tribe. My asymmetrical five, with more in the left ear, is definitely tribal.

ETA: I should note that where I come from, this was the conservative look.

K. Period.

Veteran

My left ear (to me) is pierced with two cartilage piercings in addition to my regular ear lobe piercing on both ears. I don't wear earrings in my cartilage piercings anymore, and haven't for years. I just checked, though, and both are still open.

I did the cartilage piercings when I was a teen and they felt fun and fresh. Anymore, I think they would be out of step with my modern classic style.

Interestingly, I don't think anyone has ever noticed my cartilage piercings when I wasn't wearing earrings, so it turns out that they were a better "stealth" piercing than regular double piercing (HA! Take that Mom!). Cartilage piercings pretty much disappear into the fold of the ear. They do hurt like heck when you get them done, though.

I like the cleanness and asymmetry of a single additional piercing. To me, it highlighted why I had more than one piercing: to make it less traditional. And it is still elegant, if you want, or not, if you don't. To my mind, symmetrical double piercings didn't seem like much more than a traditional piercing and at the same time seemed more cluttered.

Gigi, are you going for a specific feel with the additional piercing? That might help you make a choice.

crst

I had two in the left lobe and one in the right - the extra done by a roommate after a fun night in London (ouch). When many around me had double in both ears, it seemed like I needed more. But the symmetry of double didn't seem as daring as the one extra. So I now have three in each lobe. For some reason having more than two, even if symmetric, seemed to make whatever statement I was attempting. Not really a statement anymore, just part of who I am. I always wear triple earrings.

Gigi

Veteran

Great thoughts, all!

K. Period, I think that I am maybe trying to add a little "edge" to my style, which relies heavily on modern classic. I don't like a too-sweet look as far as jewelry goes. In fact, I hadn't worn earrings in a long time but recently felt like opening up my single piercings (they hadn't closed up except for a bit at the back). I've just been wearing the same pair of earrings in them every day--small zirconia with a gold setting--because those are the only earrings I kept from my stash years ago. (They are 14K gold, which is the reason they made the cut.)

I had been thinking about double piercing for a while, but what spurred my thread was that I bought some fake silver hoops, about 1/2" dia., on Amazon and wore them yesterday in the spot where I would get a double piercing. I felt like the addition really brightened up my face and expanded my face, which tends to be long. That's what made me think that getting the symmetrical piercing might be good, as it will widen my face more. Of course, if I get tired of hoops and put something else less eye-catching in, it might not have such an effect. So honestly, the symmetry was more of a practical consideration. If what I really want is edge, asymmetry might be good. But if the asymmetry doesn't look as good on me as the symmetry, eventually I will find myself wishing that I had the symmetrical piercings. Appearance considerations will win out.

I'm going to experiment more with the hoops, maybe just putting one on instead of two, and maybe putting one up in the cartilage area. But I'll be honest and say that I'm scared of cartilage piercing because I don't want a lot of pain! Also, I have a fair amount of health problems as it is, which cause a lot of fatigue, so I want a piercing that will heal relatively quickly. I think the cartilage ones can take quite a while (?).

I also sometimes worry about it looking too young (I am 40, although I look like I'm in my 30s). But the posts on this thread didn't seem to mention that as much of a consideration. So I'm going to assume that that's not a big thing to worry about.

tallgirl

I have both ears pierced twice plus a third hole higher up on the right. At times I have worn an odd number of earrings and at times I've worn even numbers. Depends on my mood.

tallgirl

My higher-up piercing is in the cartilage, and did not hurt any more than the first ones in my lobes.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gigi, I know lots of people way older than you who have many earrings in their ears. Other piercings, too, even. A second set of ear piercings is in no way going to look odd! It's only the really envelope-pushing things, like large-gauge ear tunnels or cheek implants, that I see on younger people (male and female alike).

12