Concern over high ear piercing health risk

Good hygiene is important for all piercings

Fashion trends come and go - designer jeans, micro-minis and celebrity hairstyles. One craze that's on the increase now is high ear piercing. But many young people are being permanently scarred as the fashion becomes more popular. Damage is caused when the ear cartilage is shattered by equipment used by untrained practitioners.

Breakfast talked to Junaid Hanif, a surgeon at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff who carried out the research. We also heard from Patrick Bartholomew from the London Piercing Clinic.

Click here to watch our discussion on ear piercings

High ear piercing is when rings, studs and other items are put through the cartilage at the top part of ear.

If it goes wrong it can damage the cartilage, leading either to cauliflower ears - or dog ears (top bit flaps over).

It is being seen in children as young as 6.

Research looked at years 1992 - 1998.

High ear piercing became increasingly popular after 94/95 according to figures.