Pierced ears are earlobes or the cartilage portion of the external ears which have had one or more holes created in them for the wearing of earrings. The holes may be permanent or temporary. The holes become permanent when a fistula is created by scar tissue forming around the initial earring.

Initial healing time for ear piercing performed with an ear piercing instrument is typically 6-8 weeks. After that time, earrings can be changed. Toronto Ear Piercing professionals recommend wearing earrings in the newly pierced ears for at least 6 months, and sometimes even a full year.

After healing, earlobe piercings will shrink to smaller gauges in the prolonged absence of earrings, and in most cases will completely disappear.