CONGRATULATIONS!

You have purchased the finest ear piercing instrument available. Over four decades of design
innovation and refinement have resulted in a safe piercing instrument that is easy to use, easy to load
and easy to keep clean.

The contoured handle is made to fit the hand comfortably, producing a firm grip while piercing. The
spring action plunger snaps the earring through the earlobe in 1/10th of a second and automatically
installs the clasp properly, thereby reducing the possibility of discomfort and pinching.

When used with genuine STUDEX® sterile ear piercing earrings and accessories, you are assured of
years of trouble-free ear piercing.
 STUDEX® UNIVERSAL EAR PIERCING SYSTEM

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND EAR PIERCING PROCEDURES

Tips for a successful STUDEX® Retail Ear Piercing Program ..................... 2

Advantages of the STUDEX® Universal Ear Piercing System ..................... 3

Preparations for ear piercing .......................................................................... 4

Using STUDEX® adapters and adapter clips ................................................... 5

Loading the ear piercing instrument ............................................................... 8

Performing the ear piercing ............................................................................ 9

Cartilage piercing ..........................................................................................10

After piercing care .........................................................................................11

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................12
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STUDEX RETAIL EAR PIERCING PROGRAM
®

• All store staff should be able to pierce ears.

• Inform potential customers that you pierce ears, with a prominent sign positioned at the front of your store.

• Post signs that you offer a STUDEX® Ear Piercing Program inside your store near the cash register.

• Include STUDEX® After Piercing Solution or Gel in your piercing price package in an effort to ensure your
customer has the proper product needed to comply with after care instructions.

• Place your address on the ear care products to remind your customer where to reorder.

• Use the customer information on the release form to contact them after 5 weeks to invite them back to your
store for an examination and your chance to sell them additional products in your store.

• Use this customer contact information for other promotional deals as well.

• Place your earring assortment in close proximity to your STUDEX® ear piercing location.

For more information call your STUDEX® representative or call STUDEX® at (800) 478-8339

2
ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDEX® UNIVERSAL EAR PIERCING SYSTEM

1. The STUDEX® ear piercing instrument has a built-in mechanism to easily release the earring adapter from the plunger.
In addition, a set of color coded adapter clips are included with the kit that make for easy installation and removal of the
adapters. See loading instructions for details (page 8).
2. The handle of the STUDEX® instrument is contoured for a comfortable, balanced grip for maximum control.
The instrument is designed to allow the technician to maintain better alignment with the ear for a more accurate piercing.
3. In the cocked position, the pointed tip of the piercing earring sits closer to the ear than with other instruments. This allows
the technician to precisely position the earring for a more accurate piercing.
4. Adapters are color coded to differentiate between sizes.
5. The backing clasps are located on the plastic mount under each piercing earring for easier insertion into the clasp retainer.

EARRING AND INSTRUMENT

COMPONENTS NAMES

Figure 1
3
PREPARATIONS FOR EAR PIERCING

PREPARING THE CUSTOMER

1. Have the customer select the style of piercing stud.
2. Have the customer complete and sign the release form.
3. Have the customer sit in the designated piercing area.

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR THE EAR PIERCING

First, familiarize yourself with the piercing instrument and packaged earrings (see page 1). It is very important that you present
yourself as a confident, expert ear piercer to the customer. The more comfortable your are, the more at ease your customer
will be. This will help the customer relax and relieve any anxiety they might be experiencing.

1. Thoroughly clean both hands. Put disposable gloves on both hands BEFORE proceeding with the ear piercing.
2. Check the customer’s ear for cysts. When you pinch the ear and feel small, hard lumps that move around, it is probably
a cyst. If you can see and feel a lump that doesn’t move, it is most likely scar tissue. You may pierce through scar tissue,
but DO NOT PIERCE the cyst. It may rupture, releasing debris into the surrounding tissue which can cause an infection.
3. CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT - IMPORTANT
Before and after each piercing, thoroughly cleanse the entire area of the clasp retainer (see page 3, Fig. 1)
by wiping with an alcohol prep pad, cotton ball or swab moistened with alcohol.
Store the instrument properly when not in use. Keep the ear piercing area clean. Figure 2

4. MARKING THE EARS

• Have the customer take off any earrings they are wearing.
• Cleanse the customer’s ears with a sterile prep pad or cotton ball with alcohol
and let dry.
• Ask the customer where they would like the piercing to be and lightly mark the
ears accordingly with the non-toxic marking pen (see Fig. 2).
• Have the customer check and approve the marks BEFORE proceeding with the
ear piercing. The customer should not touch their ears after cleansing.

4
USING STUDEX® ADAPTERS AND ADAPTER CLIPS

When you first receive your instrument, the regular adapter is already in the plunger of the instrument. If you
are piercing with either a mini or large earring, you must remove the regular adapter and install the proper
adapter for the earrings you are using.
Select the proper adapter for the earrings you will use to do the piercing. The adapters are color coded for easy
identification (see page 3, Fig. 1).

Please read these instructions before using the adapter clip to remove or install the earring adapter in order to
prevent damage to the adapter, the clip or the instrument.

REMOVING THE EARRING ADAPTER

Figure 3-1 Figure 3-2 Figure 3-3

1. Make sure the instrument is uncocked.

2. Place the empty Adapter Clip over the plunger as shown in Fig. 3-1
3. Pull the plunger knob back firmly (Fig. 3-2). The stud adapter will snap out of the plunger shaft automatically.
4. Lift the Adapter Clip off the instrument. The earring adapter will remain in the Adapter Clip (Fig. 3-3)
5
USING STUDEX® ADAPTERS AND ADAPTER CLIPS

INSTALLING THE EARRING ADAPTER

Figure 4-2 Figure 4-3 Figure 4-4 Figure 4-5

Figure 4-1

1. Cock the instrument

2. Snap the proper earring adapter into the Adapter Clip as shown (Fig. 4-1)
3. Place the Adapter Clip (with the earring adapter in it) over the plunger as shown (Fig. 4-2)
4. While holding the plunger knob firmly to keep the plunger from snapping forward, pull the trigger to release the plunger to
the fully forward position (Fig. 4-3). DO NOT simply pull the trigger and “fire” the plunger, as damage to the adapter, clip or
the instrument could result as the plunger snaps forward.
5. Once the plunger shaft is fully forward, lift off the Adapter Clip (Fig. 4-4)
6. Cock the instrument and press the earring adapter firmly to make sure it is fully seated in the shaft (Fig. 4-5). The earring
adapter will “click” when it is properly seated.

6
USING STUDEX® ADAPTERS AND ADAPTER CLIPS

REPLACING AN EXISTING ADAPTER WITHOUT USING THE STUDEX ADAPTER CLIP

1. Hold the trigger in and pull the plunger all the way back past the cocked position, until the plunger cannot be pulled any
farther. The adapter will dislodge itself from the plunger enough to be easily removed (Fig. 5-1)
2. Select the proper adapter for the earrings you will use for the piercing. The adapters are color coded for easy identification (Fig. 1)
3. With the plunger in the cocked position, press the desired adapter into the front of the plunger as far as it will go. (Fig, 5-2 & 5-3)
4. Once the adapter is properly seated in the plunger, pull the trigger to return the plunger to the uncocked position. (Fig. 5-4)

Figure 5-1

Figure 5-2

Figure 5-3 Figure 5-4 7

LOADING THE EAR PIERCING INSTRUMENT

Cock the instrument by drawing the plunger back until it locks into place.

FOR STERILITY
DO NOT TOUCH
THE EARRINGS
AND CLASPS
WITH FINGERS
ONCE THE
PACKAGE
IS OPENED!
Figure 6-1 Figure 6-2
Grasp blister backing paper and peel away Being careful not to touch the earrings,
to expose the sterilized rigid plastic mount flip the plastic mount up with the index
that holds the earrings and clasps. finger enough to grasp the sides of the
For sterility, DO NOT touch the earrings mount with thumb and middle finger.
once the package is opened.

Figure 6-3 Figure 6-4 Figure 6-5

Lift the mount of the sterile blister. The Insert one earring head into the earring While keeping the instrument in the upright

8
earrings should be at the bottom of the adapter and pull the mount straight up to position, slide corresponding clasp (located
mount and the clasps at the top of the release the earring from the mount. directly above the earring) into the clasp
mount. retainer at the front end of the instrument.
PERFORMING THE EAR PIERCING

Figure 7-1 Figure 7-2 Figure 7-3

Place the ear between the clasp retainer and
the earring, carefully aligning the point of the
earring with the mark on the ear. While
maintaining proper alignment, slowly squeeze
the trigger until the ear is held securely by the
instrument.
While keeping proper alignment, continue to Release the trigger and carefully pull the
squeeze the trigger until it releases the plunger. instrument straight down from the ear.
In less than 1/10 of a second, the ear will be
pierced and the clasp will be automatically
installed on the earring with the proper spacing.

REPEAT THIS PROCEDURE FOR ADDITIONAL EAR PIERCINGS.

Give the customer the signed after-piercing care instructions to take home with them.
After you are finished piercing, ask the customer if they are OK to stand up, or if they need a few minutes.
If the customer stands up and feels dizzy, help them sit down, and have them wait 3-5 minutes
or until they feel better before leaving.

9
CARTILAGE PIERCING

If you are piercing in the cartilage area of the ear (Fig. 8), special
care must be taken during both the piercing and after the piercing.

When piercing the outer perimeter of the ear, you must pull the cartilage
slightly to “unroll” it if the cartilage is thick or heavily curled. This is to
ensure that the piercing instrument can be properly positioned.

Whenever piercing though the cartilage area of the ear, you must take extra
caution to ensure the instrument is held perpendicular to the surface of the
ear.

Special care must be taken when piercing through the cartilage (dark area
at the Fig. 8).

DO NOT PIERCE THROUGH THE CURLED “EDGE” OF THE

CARTILAGE AREA.

Figure 8

IMPORTANT! Alert your client that the healing time for the cartilage area can take up to 12 weeks.
Reinforce the fact that due to the nature of piercing the cartilage area, extra care should be taken to
ensure proper after care is followed. At the first sign of extensive pain, redness or swelling, advise them
to seek medical attention immediately. Failure to do so may lead to permanent damage to the ear.

10
AFTER PIERCING CARE

Important factors in keeping pierced ears healthy!

STUDEX® After Piercing Solution and STUDEX® Ear Care Gel are formulated with the
single purpose of maintain healthy pierced ears.

STUDEX® After Piercing Solution is specially formulated and pH balanced to keep the
skin soft and healthy. STUDEX® Ear Care Gel is the same basic formulation in a
convenient gel form. Utilizing benzalkonium chloride, both After Piercing Solution and
Ear Care Gel are effective against staph and strep germs. The non-burning formulation
makes it safe and pleasant for all ages.

Earrings used for piercing should not be removed for 4 to 6 weeks. Clasps should not
be too tight against the lobe. Never touch the earrings without first washing your
hands. Avoid unnecessary touching whenever possible.

STUDEX® After Piercing Solution or Gel should be used at least twice a day during the
first 6 weeks healing process. Wash hands, then without removing the earrings,
liberally apply After Piercing Solution or Gel to the front and back of each ear using a APPLY GEL OR SOLUTION
saturated cotton ball or tipped applicator. Gently slide the earrings back and forth in FRONT AND BACK
the ear to work gel or Solution into the pierced hole.

After showering or shampooing, the ears should be thoroughly rinsed and then
cleansed with After Piercing Solution and Ear Care Gel should be reapplied.

After Piercing Solution or Gel should then be used daily thereafter to help reduce the
incidence of infection. Even after the ears have healed and the customer is wearing
other earrings, After Piercing Solution or Gel should be used regularly to keep ears
healthy and earrings clean.
SLIDE EARRING BACK & FORTH
Should excessive redness, pain or swelling occur seek medical TO WORK GEL OR SOLUTION
attention immediately. INTO PIERCING HOLE
11
TROUBLESHOOTING

The best way to be prepared for any problems that may occur during an ear piercing is to familiarize yourself
with this section BEFORE it occurs. With a few simple steps, you will be prepared to handle almost any
situation.

YOU ARE THE PROFESSIONAL, so always remain calm. Tell the client not to worry and that you will have the
problem resolved in a moment. In normal operation, the earring is not released from the stud adapter unless
the clasp has attached itself to the earring.

1. If the clasp does not attach and the earring remains in 2. If the earring has not gone completely through the ear,
the adapter: or if the prior procedure does not resolve the problem:

• Hold the plunger all the way forward with your thumb
firmly against and behind the plunger knob. This will
prevent the plunger from moving.
• Make sure the clasp is properly seated in the clasp
retainer.
• Squeeze the trigger all the way back until it stops
• Release the trigger.
• Saturate a cotton ball with After Piercing Solution or use
alcohol towllete.
• Have customer remove the earring and apply pressure
on the pierced area with a cotton ball.
• With a new presterilized piercing earring, re-pierce
through the same hole as the original piercing.

This will normally cause the clasp to attach itself to the Follow aftercare procedures.
earring, and the earring will release from the instrument.

NOTE If you must remove an earring and re-pierce with a new earring, be sure to wear gloves and
have cotton balls or alcohol preps readily accessible. Dispose of the used cotton balls, preps, swabs
and latex gloves appropriately after the piercing is complete. Any earrings opened but not used
should be disposed.

12
The STUDEX® Universal Ear Piercing Instrument is backed by a two year
guarantee to the original purchaser.

This instrument is made in the U.S.A. with highest quality materials and
workmanship, and is fully inspected and tested before it leaves our plant.

If you ever have any problems with this instrument or any questions regarding
its use, please call STUDEX® toll-free at

1-800-478-8339
This warranty is void if the instrument is misused or dropped, or is used with
anything other than genuine STUDEX® Sterile Ear Piercing Studs.
 THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING STUDEX® EAR PIERCING PRODUCTS!

521 W. Rosecrans Avenue, Gardena, CA 90248-1514 U.S.A.

Tel: 1-(800) 478-8339 / (310) 851-9300 • Fax: (310) 851-9400
www.studex.com • sales@studex.com
MNR995

© STUDEX® Reproduction without authorization is prohibited