Cartilage piercing?! personal accounts/advice please :)?

Hey people!

I'll be turning 16 very soon and for a long time - since i was like 8, i've wanted to get my right ear cartilage pierced (the bit at the top)

I've heard that its bad to get it done with a gun and i'm fine with finding the safest way possible i.e. with a needle, right, but theres just a few things that are holding me back...

1) About how long would you say it takes to heal
- will i be sleeping facing my wall for good?

2) Are studs definately not a good idea? - even after healing?

3) Is the risk of infection HIGH
i do know that it's much higher than lobes.

Overall if you had one: would you recommend it, and how did it go?

thanks!

willowtatro2007-03-01T14:23:30Z

Favorite Answer

I have two cartilage piercings in my right ear so I have experience in this area. It is done with the gun just like having your ear lobes pierced. I had them done at two different times with each of my kids because they wanted one so because you pay for two ears I just took the 2nd one. It does hurt more to have that part of your ear pierced because there's no fat in that area like your ear lobe.

1. It took awhile to heal because of the location but at least I could sleep on my left side and it wouldn't bother that ear.

2. Studs go in when they do the piercing with the gun but once you can change them out put in small hoops. The hoops allow air to get all around and the back of the stud has a pointy edge that kept going into my head when I'd turn in my sleep and end up waking up in pain.

3. There is always risk of infection but I bought whatever product they sold at the ear piercing place and it worked great. Plus once I put in the small hoops it was sooooooooo much better.

I was happy to have it done with my kids and I would do it again. I think you have to have an adult sign for you to have it since you're under 18 and I would go to a place to have it done rather then a friend. Good Luck and see if maybe your Mom will have hers done too!! :)

Hope the helps.....

jennisea042007-03-01T22:24:01Z

The cartilage isn't that bad. I got my pierced about 4 years ago and I had a stud. At first it was fine, until it was done healing. Then it started to get infected all the time. I went to PacSun and got hoop earrings. Hoops let air get through and it isn't putting pressure on your ear. I put a hoop in my ear and the infection healed up and i haven't had one since. I always say wait at least 3 months for it to heal completely. About the gun, i think it is the easy way to get it done. Trust me I have had piercings done with a needle and it is worse than the gun. The piercing site is going to be swore for a couple weeks. Just make sure you clean it and try not to lay one it.
You will be fine!

♥sammi♥2007-03-01T22:45:14Z

ok : Leave earrings in your earws for 8-12 weeks. After 8-12 weeks, you may remove earrings: however some types of post earrings must be worn at all times during the first year. If you clean it daily anr or put nesoprin on your ears you can avoid the serious infection. After your ear heals you can wear any type of earrings you want to. When people say that if you hit a nerve have of your face will be paralized thats just a lie friends of mine have done it them selfs and no nerves. But I think that you should just get it done were they just use a gun and put the earring through your ear. Because its probably the safest. I think that it look pretty good. and It really doesn't hurt that much. hope this helps. =)

CubanCutie2007-03-01T22:24:29Z

I got mine when i was 14 and im now 15. it takes a year for it to completly heal but only like less then a week for you to sleep on that side. i got mine done with i guess a gun, i dont know it had a sharp earing in it and was like a hole puncher. studs are fine because thats what i have, and the risk of infection isnt very high. they should give you some stuff for it and even though i got it i only used it for half the time i was suppose to and it still didnt get infected. so yea i would recomend it, i got both mine done and think they are great. some advice would be: get real earings like gold not medal because it will prevent infection, and if you get studs turn them every now and then so the skin doesnt grow over it. Have fun!

GIGI2007-03-01T22:22:55Z

I got the cartilage pierced , and at first it was a little discomfort to sleep, but just give it time and it will heal like anything else. If you take care of it as they tell you the risk of infection wont be high. They preety much tell you to keep the hair away from that area and avoid sleeping or putting pressure on that side. Healing process could range from 3-6 mnths and they will need to pierce with the stud at first... I worked at a piercing pagooda for xmas break and it was not painful to get it with the gun.. just relax and let them take care of the rest. get a cute little stud nothing big and it will look actually real preety. good luck

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