Ear percing

training manual
with the Caflon Blu
Disposable Ear Piercing System

Manufacturer and Distributor of Ear Piercing Equipment

This manual will cover the following aspects of ear piercing

Information about Caflon
Caflon earrings
The anatomy of the ear: which area of the ear to pierce
Contra indications of ear piercing
Step by step ear piercing using the Caflon Blu System
Aftercare
Potential problems and further information
 Ear percing training manual
Introduction
Welcome to the Caflon Blu ear piercing training manual. The aim of this
manual is to provide the user with clear and precise information on how
to pierce a client’s ears using the Caflon Blu Ear Piercing System.
Ear piercing using Caflon Systems is a safe and useful profit making
service requiring little in the way of financial investment, using minimal
amounts of space, and taking just a short amount of time. Profit margins
are also good making the Caflon Ear Piercing Systems a wise and safe
investment.

A British based company

Involved in the manufacture and distribution of high quality ear piercing
equipment and hypo-allergenic fashion earrings.
One of the largest manufacturers and distributors of ear piercing
equipment in the world with distribution in over 78 countries.
The Caflon collection of ear studs includes all stones and shapes of
fashion. All are precision turned on Swiss Escomatic Machines.
Caflon has available a wide range of sales and marketing aids, Natural
Solution and antiseptic wipes, as well as starter kits designed especially
for the ear piercing beginner.

Range of earrings
Caflon ear studs are made from hypoallergenic material meaning they
do not cause allergies or irritations.
And are available in many different styles and sizes such as 24ct gold plate,
white stainless and Titanium.
All studs are supplied in validated pre-sterilised blister packs using
Ethylene Oxide Gas and Gas permeating paper.
Every pair of earrings therefore has been individually sterilised.
Compliant with EC Nickel Directive 94/27/EC
 Ear percing training manual
Outer ear
What area of the ear can you pierce with Caflon Blu?
The lobe is the soft area of the ear and consists of skin
covering connective fatty tissue. It is the area of the ear
which can be pierced. The healing period is 4-6 weeks.

The cartilage area is a type of elastic tissue covered by

skin and fine hair. The area which can be pierced is the
flat upper part of the cartilage area indicated by the
diagram below. Due to the nature of piercing the cartilage
it is very important to advise the client that though
piercing this part of the ear can be safely done with the
Caflon Blu system, extra care must be taken in caring for
this type of piercing. The healing period is at least 12
weeks.
The Caflon Blu Ear
Piercing System is
Cartilage not specifically
designed to pierce
any other part of the
body and should only
Pinna
be used to pierce the
shaded areas of the
Auricle ear indicated in this
External
diagram.
ear canal

<< Anatomy of outer ear

Lobe
 Ear percing training manual
Contra indications of ear piercing
Contra indications for ear piercing normally involve the client
having a condition which means they might be prone to
infection or slow to heal from any potential infections, a
physical injury, or some kind of obstruction.

If a client is suffering from any of the following then they

should seek medical advice before you pierce their ears.

- Circulation disorders
- High or low Blood Pressure
- History of Thrombosis / Embolism
- Epilepsy (Epileptics must be accompanied by
- someone if you are to pierce their ears)
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes (healing time)
- Dysfunctions of the Nervous System
- Skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis...)
- Bruises or recent Haemorrhage or Swelling
- Scar tissue or Keloids
- Warts or Moles (you may pierce through freckles)
- Cuts, Abrasions or recent operations

If in doubt do not pierce.

 Ear percing training manual
Equipment
In order to ear pierce using the Caflon Blu System you will
need to be familiar with the equipment you are to use,
namely the ear piercing instrument, the studs, the single use
clasp retainer/ear guard and stud holder, and the blister
pack itself.

The clasp retainer/ear guard and stud holder (see next page)
do not come with the instrument. They are pre-sterilised,
single use disposable items that are packaged together
with the sterilised blister pack holding the stud and clasp.

IMPORTANT! Never use the same clasp retainer/ear

guard and stud holder on more than one client.

Barrel Firing pin

<< The Caflon Blu

instrument
Clasp retainer /
ear guard holder

Trigger Handle
 Ear percing training manual
Contents of Blister pack
Clasp Clasp retainer /
>> ear guard

>>
Stud >>

A Clip Stud holder

>>

>>

Mini (Blue) Regular (White) Large (Beige)

Blu plastic mount

>>

Tyvek paper
(Clasp retainer/ear guard and stud retainer Plastic blister pack
located inside blister pack.)
 Ear percing training manual
Step-by-step Ear Piercing
STEP 1: PREPARING YOURSELF AND THE CLIENT
Clients will normally fit into ‘nervous’ or ‘non nervous’ categories.
Obviously ‘nervous’ clients are potentially more difficult to deal with.
However most of their anxiety will usually be associated with the
thought that the piercing may be painful. They may have had a painful
ear piercing experience previously. These kinds of clients need to be
relaxed through reassurance that the Caflon Blu System allows for quick
and easy ear piercing.
Seat the client on a stool or chair which is at the right height for you to
complete the piercing. You should not have to reach up or down in order
to pierce the client’s ears.
Ask the client to select the style of stud to be used for piercing from
the Caflon sample board
Explain the piercing procedure and have the client read and sign the
ear piercing registration book and after-care instructions.

Check thoroughly for contra indications. If in doubt do not complete the

piercing.

Now wash your hands thoroughly or scrub them with a chlorahexidine

based surgical hand cleaner, dry them and then ideally you should put
on single use disposable gloves as an additional precaution.

Have the client remove any earrings they are wearing.

Clip back any hair away from the ears.

Check the client’s ears for epidermoid cycts which are embedded skin
tissue enclosing foreign debris. When you pinch the ear, if you feel a
small, hard lump that can be moved, it is an epidermoid cyst. If you can
see and feel a lump that does not move, it is scar tissue. Cysts are not
visible and can be moved, scar tissue is visible and does not move.
Never pierce through a cyst as it will cause it to rupture releasing debris
into the surrounding tissue which can cause infection. You should also
not pierce straight through keloids, which are large visible lumpy scar
tissue. The rule to follow is:

Keloids/scar tissue, pierce 3 – 4mm away from it.

If hole is open, pierce 1cm away from it.
 Ear percing training manual
Step-by-step Ear Piercing
You will need to pierce further away if the hole is open because an
inaccurate piercing could lead to one large hole in the lobe. Additionally, it
avoids the clasps overlapping at the back of the ear.

You may pierce through an old hole as long as there is no heavy scar
tissue present.

After examining the ear(s) thoroughly cleanse the area to be pierced front
and back with an antiseptic wipe, be sure to use a separate wipe for each
ear. This will safeguard against infection.

Allow 2 minutes for the antiseptic to soak in and the ear to dry thoroughly.

During this time you should demonstrate to the client the noise the
instrument will make when you eventually pierce their ears. If familiar with
this sound they are unlikely to move during the piercing, lessening the
likelihood of an inaccurate piercing.

To demonstrate the noise:

Take the instrument in your preferred hand.

Pull back hard on the firing pin until it locks.

Place the instrument close to the client’s ear.

Tell them that they are about to hear the noise the instrument will make.

Fire the instrument by squeezing the trigger.

Once the ear is dry you should use the non toxic marking pen to mark a spot
on the ear where it will be pierced. No other type of pen should be used.

Using a mirror, show the client the spot marked on the ear.

Only if the client agrees the mark is in the correct place should you proceed
with the piercing.

If they state a preference for another spot then wipe off the original mark
using another antiseptic wipe and repeat the previous marking instructions.

Only when the client is happy with the positioning of the mark should the
piercing take place.
 Ear percing training manual
Preparing the equipment
STEP 2: THE INSTRUMENT
You will need to undo the blister pack on a clean and level surface.
Tearing along the serrated edge of the blister pack, separate one pair
of studs from the rest of the pack.
On your clean, level surface turn the pack upside down so that the tyvek
paper faces upwards and the plastic rests on the table’s surface.
Locate the corner in which the plastic has an arc, this is where you need
to separate the tyvek paper from the plastic.
Keeping the blister pack close to your level surface, peel the tyvek paper
back slowly being careful not to spill the blue plastic clasp retainer/ear
guard and stud holder onto the table or floor. If this does occur then the
blister pack must be discarded and a new one used. This ensures sterility.
Then cock the instrument by drawing the firing pin back until it locks into
place. With gloves on both hands, take the small round blue (Mini)/white
(Regular)/beige (Large) stud holder from the blister pack and secure it
into the barrel of the instrument (see Fig. 1).
Take the instrument in one hand and the blue clasp retainer/ear guard
in the other and firmly place the blue clasp retainer/ear guard onto the
ear guard holder of the instrument making sure that the flexible ear
guard is facing upward and inward (see Fig. 1) pushed firmly down.
Place the instrument onto a clean surface.

It clicks
into
the place

Fig. 1
 Ear percing training manual
Preparing the equipment
Next, hold the clear blister pack containing the plastic stud and clasp mount in one
hand and carefully remove the blue mount ensuring not to touch the sterile studs
and clasps.

Holding the blue mount by the sides, the stud and clasps should be facing upwards.

With the mount in one hand take the ear piercing instrument in the other and using
the mount, insert the exposed head of the ear piercing stud into the round plastic
stud holder previously inserted onto the barrel of the instrument then twist the
mount upwards to release the stud from the mount leaving the stud in the plastic
stud holder. (see Fig. 2).

Ensuring that the instrument remains level, invert the plastic mount and slide the
corresponding clasp onto the plastic clasp retainer/ear guard previously loaded
onto the instrument (see Fig. 3).

Place the plastic mount containing the remaining stud and clasp in the upright posi-
tion on a nearby clean surface ready to be used on the second piercing if required.

The instrument is now loaded and you are ready to pierce. Follow the instructions on
piercing the client’s ear on the next page.

Once you have completed the first piercing, repeat the above process for the second
piercing.

These two operations are extremely simple to perform but

you may need to practice a few times to become proficient.

Remember that once loaded, always keep the instrument in

a horizontal position to prevent the stud and clasp from
falling out.
 Ear percing training manual
Preparing the equipment

Fig. 2

Fig. 3
 Ear percing training manual
Piercing the client’s ear
STEP 3: THE PIERCING
Bring the loaded instrument up to the area of the client’s ear to be pierced
ensuring that the ear is placed into the saddle-like flexible ear guard (see Fig.4).
If piercing the cartilage area see the instructions on piercing the cartilage area
which follow.
Make sure the instrument is straight and square to the ear otherwise the
piercing will occur at an angle. It should be perpendicular and not tipped at an
angle.
Squeeze the trigger gently to halfway where you will find a biting point in the
trigger mechanism. This will bring the tip of the stud closer to the ear. Check
your alignment (make sure the point of the post lines up with your pen mark).
When you are satisfied everything is correct advise the client to remain still.
Squeeze the trigger the rest of the way back until the stud is fired into the ear.
Hold the trigger in place and the instrument still for two seconds.

Fig. 4
 Ear percing training manual
Piercing the client’s ear
Slowly release the trigger and carefully pull the instrument straight down. Do
not pull it away from the ear (Fig. 5).
After reloading the instrument, repeat the above to perform the second piercing.
Next, ask the client if they are OK to stand or if they need a few moments. If
the client stands and feels dizzy, help them to sit down and have them wait 3 to
5 minutes before leaving.
Advise on aftercare.

REMOVING THE DISPOSABLE STUD HOLDER AND CLASP

RETAINER/EAR GUARD FROM THE INSTRUMENT
To remove the clasp retainer/ear guard, simple slide it off the instrument and
dispose it in the waste receptacle.
To remove the round stud holder, place the A Clip over the barrel of the instrument
(see Fig. 5B). Next, pull the firing pin all the way back until the stud holder snaps loose.
Release the firing pin and now remove the A Clip and the stud holder. This action will
cock the instrument so remember to disengage the firing pin by pulling the trigger
making sure that fingers are free from the path of the barrel.
Suggested cleansing of Instrument; either wipe with an Isopropyl Alcohol wipe or
lightly spray with an Isopropyl Alcohol solution. Allow the Instrument to dry naturally
and return to the Instrument case.

Fig 5B

Fig. 5
 Ear percing training manual
Piercing the client’s ear
PIERCING THE CARTILAGE AREA OF THE EAR
If you are piercing through the cartilage area of the ear, special care must be taken
during both the piercing procedure and during the after care period.
When piercing the cartilage area of the ear, only pierce the upper flat area. Never
pierce through the curled edge of the cartilage area or too close to the edge of
the ear as this may cause the cartilage to split. Also, never pierce through scar tissue
in the cartilage area, avoiding all visible capillaries.
Prepare the piercing area as instructed previously.
Have the client tilt their head all the way back so that they are facing skyward. This
action makes it easier to position the instrument for piercing while maintaining the
instrument in the all important horizontal position which ensures that the clasp
will not fall out before the piercing.
If the client has very thick or heavily curled cartilage, you must pull the cartilage to
“unroll it”. This ensures that the instrument can be properly positioned.
Once the instrument is positioned and ready for firing, follow the same procedure
described when piercing the lobe previously.

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.
If pain, redness or swelling persists, advise them to
seek medical attention immediately.
Failure to do so may lead to permanent damage to
the ear.
 Ear percing training manual
After care
If the instructions on how to pierce ears contained in this manual are
followed stringently then potential problems following a piercing will
have been minimised. However, the importance of aftercare cannot be
over-emphasised.
The client should be given the following advice for aftercare.
TO PREVENT INFECTION
Avoid any unnecessary handling of the ears and studs.
Wash hands thoroughly before touching studs or ear.
Tie hair back.
Cleanse front and back of the ear twice a day with CAFLON Natural
Solution (4 times for cartilage) without removing studs. Then rotate
studs 2 or 3 times, 180° left and 180° right, i.e. a half turn only, thus
avoiding hair wrapping around the post at the back of the lobe. In
between cleansing, the ear should be kept DRY.
Keep hair spray, soap, shampoo and other preparations away from the
ear. After shampooing, the ear should be rinsed with clean water and
cleansed with CAFLON Natural Solution as described above. Beauty or
hair treatments should be avoided for 24 hours.
The piercing area should be CLEANSED with CAFLON Natural Solution
then kept DRY, especially after bathing, swimming or exercise.
Do Not
Do not replace studs with other earrings during the initial 6 week
healing period (12 weeks for cartilage).
Do not push the butterfly clasp along the post toward the ear. The
Butterfly clasp should always be positioned at the end of the post.
Feel the position each time you clean the ear - it must feel smooth. This
ensures that the earrings remains LOOSE during the healing period.
This is essential as tightness may lead to inflammation.
 Ear percing training manual
After care
TO PREVENT PIERCINGS FROM CLOSING
Leave studs in the ears for 6 weeks continuously (12 weeks for cartilage).
After 6 weeks (12 weeks for cartilage), the stud can be removed and
other post-type earrings may be worn continuously for 6 to 12 months.
Caflon Natural Care Solution should be suggested to your client. This way
you can be sure that the client receives the correct solution for aftercare.
During the first year of piercing the client should avoid going longer than
24 hours without wearing earrings. This will ensure that the piercings
will not close.
Use only post-style earrings continuously for the first 6 months after
piercing. The post should be surgical stainless steel or other hypo-
allergenic material.
Minor pain/redness may occur immediately - this is normal. This will
settle within 48 hours provided proper aftercare is carried out. If undue
pain/swelling/redness occurs at any time, seek medical advice before
removing the earpiercing studs.

EAR CARTILAGE
Due to the nature of ear cartilage, extra care should be observed during
the healing period.
Minor pain/redness may occur immediately - this is normal. This will settle
within 48 hours provided proper aftercare is carried out. If undue pain/
swelling/redness occurs at any time, seek medical advice. Do not remove
studs before the relevant medical advice. Failure to properly follow
aftercare procedures or to seek immediate medical advice, should a
problem occur, may result in permanent damage to the ear cartilage.

If the client follows these aftercare instructions faithfully

they will, in later years, have a small smooth round hole in
each ear – never a slit.
 Ear percing training manual
Potential problems
Ear piercing is a relatively simple and straightforward procedure in
which nothing can go wrong providing you stringently follow the
instructions contained in this manual.
The rate at which individuals heal after a piercing can vary enormously,
but an average would be 4 – 6 weeks for lobe and 12 weeks for the
cartilage.
Perhaps the worst scenario you might expect is that the client will move
as you fire the gun. This will inevitably result in an inaccurate piercing.
If this happens do not remove the ear stud as the ear will bleed. Advise
them to leave the stud in overnight, then remove the stud and let the
hole heal over.
This advice also applies to the client who decides, despite the fact that
you’ve followed the instructions in the manual, that they do not like
the piercing. Advise them to leave the stud in overnight, then remove
the studs and allow the hole to heal over.
 Ear percing training manual
Further information
Providing you have followed and understood the instructions contained
in this manual, you should now be capable of piercing ears using the
Caflon Blu Disposable System.
However, there are still a number of issues relevant to ear piercing which
the piercing process itself does not cover.

EAR PIERCING LEGISLATION

Current legislation
In England and Wales current ear piercing legislation falls under the
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1982.
This means that the Local Authority has the power to implement the
aspects of the Act that relate to ear piercing in their area.
The Act provides that ear piercing may only be carried out by a person
in premises registered by the Local Authority.
You should always check with your local health authority to find out if
there are any possible licenses, fees, regulations or requirements which
need to be obtained or followed before performing any ear piercings in
your establishment.
The London area is different to the rest of England and Wales in that
that there are 2 other Acts under which Boroughs may regulate skin
piercing. The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981 and the
London Local Authorities Act 1991.
 Ear percing training manual
Further information
Anyone intending to pierce ears in premises in the London area should
contact their Local Environmental Health Authority for advice.
The Local Authority does have the power to inspect both registered
premises and premises in which it suspects skin piercing is taking place
without a registration.
Fees for licensing and registration can vary enormously. Details can be
obtained from your Local Authority.

THE FUTURE OF REGULATION

Legislation regarding ear piercing is currently under review. With the
advent of much more sterile and hygienic ear piercing, such as the
Caflon Disposable System, ear piercing is now much safer and
carries no hygiene risk.
In our commitment to constantly provide the best possible service to
our clients, Caflon takes a proactive approach to ear piercing
regulations by contacting many of the individual Local Authorities
throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that the best and the fairest
possible regulations covering ear piercing are implemented by the
different boroughs. Should you have any questions with regard to these
matters, please contact us. Our professional and experienced staff will
gladly assist you in this area.
 Ear percing training manual
Insurance and Age Restriction
INSURANCE
Caflon equipment is covered by Product Liability Insurance. However,
as an individual you will require your own insurance cover.
Many companies now require evidence of some form of ear piercing
training such as that offered by Caflon before issuing insurance cover.
The Caflon training system is particularly relevant in this respect in that
models are used during training as opposed to ear cards. This means
that you will already be experienced when you pierce a client’s ears for
the first time. Should you wish to be included in our next training seminar
in your area, please contact our Head Office to find out when the next
Caflon training specialist will be in your area.

AGE RESTRICTION
Do not pierce anyone under the age of 16 without the the presence of
a parent or legal guardian. Failing such may expose you to criminal
charges of grievous bodily harm to a child despite the fact that the child
consented without the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
A general rule to follow would be to exercise caution when piercing the
ears of anyone under the age of 16. Such clients should be accompanied
by an adult. Do not accept consent by telephone or letter. It is strongly
advisable to have the parent of legal guardian read and sign the release
form in your presence.
Though piercing the ears of small children is perfectly safe using the
Caflon systems, one should always strongly caution the parent that due
to the child’s age, aftercare may be difficult for the child to follow.
Parents should assume the responsibility of ensuring that the child’s
piercings are properly maintained and to seek medical attention at the
slightest hint of a problem.