Cartilage/Ear Lobe Piercing Questions?

Question

Next week, I might get my cartilage pierced again underneath the one that I already have on my left ear. I know how to clean it "generally" but my first one that I got, I cleaned with a cheap cleaner. It kept it okay but probably not great. What should I use to clean it? I was thinking sea salt soaks but how does that work?
And would I be able to change my stud earring in my cartilage to a hoop after a few days? I heard hoops heal better and I have a couple. If I cleaned the jewelry and let it soak in sea salt, would I be able to change it quickly?
My aunt doesn't like it when I wear hoops in my cartilage piercing because she always catches it with the comb when she is cutting my hair and it always unlatches. We have an appointment next week which will probably be after getting the piercing. If I changed it to a hoop, would I be able to put tape on it for the time that I am getting my hair done? And if she accidentally knocks it, will it hurt a lot?
Okay, now on to the ear lobe piercing. I already have both my earlobes done twice each. I was thinking of getting a third one on my right ear, but not the left. I have only wanted one anyway, but I would have to get it on the right because it would be too uneven on the left. Do you think it will look fine on the right side? I just don't know because I always thought the left would look better after I got more on my right. But I don't think that is going to happen soon.
I would be getting it pierced when my aunt does my hair. She only pierces ear lobes though. 
And I think I only have one more question. If I were to take the earring that I got my first cartilage pierced with to the piercer, do you think they would let me use that instead of buying a new earring and save money? Just generally do piercers do that or allow that?

Thanks for all the answers and sorry it was so long. =)
 

I won't go to Claire's because I heard they are not trained well. There is one lady at the Claire's by me that I would trust and I don't think she works there anymore. I plan on going somewhere in the Mall of America since we are going there next week.

Lia! · Accepted Answer

the best way to clean your ear is to use sea salt soaks, just as you said. what you want to do is to buy non-iodized sea salt, NOT table salt, from the grocery store. mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt (or just basically a pinch) with 1 cup of warm/hot water. then you soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it on the piercing, making sure you do so on both sides. do sea salt soaks 2-3 times a day 5-10 minutes each time.
i don't know about changing earrings after a few days since i've never done it. i like to wait pretty long until i change it. i actually heard that a stud will be less likely to get infected because it's straight and hoops can turn around more. i think its better to start with studs because it's smaller and less likely to get caught on things (from my own experience).
sorry i can't help you on the whole cutting hair thing. for me the first week after getting my cartilage pierced was when it hurt the most when i accidentally touched the piecing. if you just got the piercing a few days ago and your aunt accidentally hits it, it will hurt, but it's not unbearable. it also depends on how hard she hits it.
i think it will look fine if you got the third on your right because then you won't have too many piercings on your left ear. for me i have 4 piercings on my left, 3 on my right. i like to keep the earrings on both ears kind of proportional, but not exactly the same amount. it mainly depends on what you think, since everyone prefers different things.
unfortunately, they most likely won't let you use your earrings that you got your first cartilage pierced with. i tried to do the same thing to save money and my piercer said she is required to use new earrings. i think that way it's also less likely to get infected. it wouldn't hurt to ask them though!

sorry my answers pretty long and that i couldn't answers some questions, but i hope this helped! good luck :)

EDIT: you can read more here
http://www.safepiercing.org/piercing/body-aftercare/

? · Answer

I would seriously consider going to a shop, I know it's a somple piercing but with cartilage ones you need to use a hollowed needle not a gun, it makes a difference in the healing process and less chance of infections cause peoples blood gets on the guns and the ppl piercing army trained to clean them well.. Anyway enough about that, go to any tattoo and piercing shop or online and get h2ocean, it's a salt solution with a ton of properties to speed healing and kill infections

? · Answer

Get in done by a professional piercer at a tattoo shop with a needle.  Piercing guns are terrible for piercing cartilage with because they weren't created for it.  They can cause the cartilage to collaspe and the jewelry guns use is not good.  The studs aren't long enough and can cause the earring to get inbedded.
It's more expensive but it will heal better.

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Cartilage/Ear Lobe Piercing Questions?

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