Stylish Ways to Wear Heavy Earrings (Without Hurting Your Ears)

Redistributing the Earring's Weight

Attach a lobe patch to the back of your ear to balance the earring’s weight. Find these at big box stores or online by searching “ear lobe support patches.” Put the sticky patch on the back of your ear, covering the pierced hole. Then, put in your earring, pushing it through the patch and securing the earring-back in place. This product keeps the weight of the earring from pulling on your earlobe. You’ll be more comfortable throughout the day, and your lobes will be less likely to get stretched out. You can also use these patches if your earlobes are stretched out already.

Use a piece of surgical tape to hold the back of your earring in place. Cut off a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of surgical tape and roll it so that the sticky side is on the outside. Place the tape behind your ear, making sure the pierced hole is completely covered. Put your earring in, piercing the surgical tape with its back. Secure the earring-back in place. Surgical tape is safe to use on skin and will hold your earring up so it doesn’t pull on your lobe. This look works best if you’ll be wearing your hair down. Otherwise, the tape might be visible from behind.

Turn earrings into clip-ons to keep them from stretching your piercings. The weight of the earring will still be there, but it won’t pull on the actual piercing itself. Heavy earrings will be much more comfortable to wear, as long as you don’t mind a slight pinch on your lobe. You can buy clip-on earring converters online, at some big box stores, or at craft stores. Generally, you’ll use a small pair of pliers to remove your earring from its current post. Then, attach the earring to a small hook on the clip-on piece.

Use a bobby pin and thread to hook the weight of the earring to your hair. Cut off a 4–5 in (10–13 cm) piece of thread and loop it through a bobby pin, so the ends are at even lengths. Knot the string 2 inches (5.1 cm) down from the bobby pin and trim off the excess thread below the knot. Put your earring in and hook the string around the back of the earring. Place the bobby pin in your hair high enough that the weight of the earring is no longer pulling on your earlobe, then secure the earring-back in place. For the most unobtrusive arrangement, use thread that matches your hair color. You may have to readjust the bobby pins several times to get the earring to look like it’s hanging naturally. This is a great DIY option that allows you to wear heavy earrings without buying a new product.

Add an earring support chain to help alleviate the weight on your earlobe. An earring support chain is a decorative device you connect to your earring and then clip into your hair to redistribute a heavy earring’s weight. An earring support chain is functional while also adding some extra panache to your outfit. These work especially for special events, like weddings, where the fancier your ensemble, the better. Buy earring support chains online or at a jewelry store.

Dealing with Discomfort

Wear heavy earrings for short periods of time to prevent too much pain. The longer you wear your earrings, the more they’ll pull on your earlobes. How much time is too much is going to be up to you and your personal preferences. Just keep in mind as you’re planning your outfit for the day that you might want to only wear heavy earrings for a few hours at a time. Consider keeping heavy earring just for special events rather than every-day wear.

Remove your earrings if you’re doing something that may pull on them. For example, taking off your top could potentially snag and pull on an earring. Or, exercising while wearing big earrings is likely to cause them to pull harder on your earlobes. Young children might try to pull on big earrings. Just be mindful of your situation and take out your earrings if you’re doing something that might jostle them around. If you’re on the go, consider keeping a small pouch or baggie with you to remove your earrings and keep them safe whenever you need to.

Take your earrings out before bed to keep them from stretching your earlobes. As you toss and turn, your earrings could get caught on a pillowcase or just put unneeded pressure on your piercing. Take a moment to remove them and put them away before going to sleep. Plus, your earrings' backs could uncomfortably press into your skin and disturb your sleep.

Apply numbing cream to your earlobes to help manage discomfort. Numbing cream, like over-the-counter lidocaine, might help alleviate soreness so that you feel more comfortable. Always read the instructions and follow them carefully. You can buy numbing creams at your local drugstore. Don’t use a numbing cream if you have an open sore on your ear.

Switch to lightweight statement earrings so your ears are less likely to hurt. If you love the look of heavy earrings but hate how they feel, look for big earrings made from hollow wood or lightweight materials. You’ll get the look you want without sacrificing on comfort. It helps if you can shop in person for earrings so you can touch them and feel how much they weight.