My Cartilage Piercing Experience

Being spontaneous is usually something I don't do, I am usually a planner. However about 2 weeks ago I decided to get my cartilage piercing after wanting it for what feel like for ever.

They say piercings are like tattoos, the thing is that once you get one, you want a dozen and that applies for me most definitely. Thanks to that I now want another 5 piercings, but unfortunately have to hold off for school and my parents. The actual process of getting my cartilage done wasn't as bad as expected. I had heard a lot about what goes on and the best ways to go about it. If you are planning to get any part of your cartilage pierced I recommend getting it done by a needle in a tattoo parlour. Getting it done with a gun in Claire's isn't the best and there is a high risk it may shatter your cartilage. The place I got it done wasn't like most tattoo parlours and was nice and clean, not overwhelming or scary like I admittedly thought it would be. In the lead up to going under the needle I was slightly nervous even though I am quite good with my needles. I told them where I wanted it pierced and then he marked it with a pen, the same they did when I had my lobes pierced. The man sanitized my ear and then bam, the needle was in. Not to make it sound dramatic but there was a needle sticking out of my needle for a good few seconds until they replaced it for the piercing bar. The pain out of 10 I would say was a 6, like I said before not nearly as bad a I first thought it would be. When you get a bone piercing you have to have a larger earring because there is a risk of swelling and also it makes it easier to clean. My ear did bleed slightly and I couldn't sleep on the side of my earring for a week or two. Keeping on top of cleaning is one of the most important thing because no one wants an infection. They say to use salt water however instead I used tea tree because it is a great anti-bacterial agent that helps keep your ear clean and infection away. I take some boiling water, add some tea tree and then clean the area of my ear with a cotton bud.

In the next weeks my ear was slightly tender and if I knocked it, it would lodge my earring and maybe bleed, however would soon clean up. The only bug bare I have now with my ear on the road to recovery is that the large earring loves to get stuck in my hair now and then, but I'd have to say it is all worth it because I love the way it looks and cannot wait to get a few more in the near future. If you are interested in getting your cartilage done I would say to go for it! but a little warning I give you will go in there wanting one piercing and come out wanting another 10 (slight exaggeration maybe).