I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes a lot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?

I have had mine done before and the needle by far is more safe and sanitary then the gun. At first it did not hurt but the days after it was really sore and eventually it did get infected but than again my ears are very sensitive. Some of my other friends have had it done though and have had no problem.. so it really just depends but yes it will be painful for a while and your hair will get caught in it so be very careful!

I had this procedure done many years ago with a gun and stainless steel stud - it shattered the cartilage and never healed.
Now, where I live you can only get this done by needle and a hoop earring because it does not shatter the cartilage and allows maximum turning for better cleaning and faster healing time.
I would suggest for you to choose a 10 or 14 carat gold hoop. I learned after the fact my ear did not heal because of the stainless steel.
Also, buy the cleaning solution - it's worth the few extra bucks.
Regardless of what some people say, never put peroxide on it, it damages new tissue and will cause the healing process to take longer.
When you have it done, they should give you instructions on how to care for it - follow them and you should do just fine.
As for pain... it really depends on your pain tolerance.
Good luck,
Kae

I don't think you will have a problem I had a friend do mine in both ears and she did her own as well ours both turned out fine no infection and we used studs but it does hurt after

Cartilage piercings honestly do not hurt.. I was scared for a very long time of having it done and when I finally did I did not feel anything at all. It feels like when you get your lobe done... you may feel a light pinch but I didn't feel anything at all. It hurt heck of a lot less that a shot, I mean you really can't feel it. I got mine done at Claires with a gun and it didn't hurt. I heard that if you go to a tattoo parlor they will do it with a needle and it will hurt a little but with a needle the wound heals faster so it is up to you. I am chicken and I am afraid of needles and I got mine done in the mall, it was not bad.. A lot of people was watching and afterwards there is NO pain. I said that's it, I didn't feel it! My ear was sore for a few days afterwards when I slept on my ear, only and after I got off my ear it don't hurt. Also it is a little sore when I touch the ear and clean it but when I don't touch it my ear is fine. I have had a pimple in the back of the cartilage area of my ear that hurts bad before but this piercing doesn't hurt.. A pimple on the ear is worse, honestly. The worse part is thinking that it is going to hurt but it won't hurt. They say that having your cartilage pierced with a needle, your ear will heal faster and you can use a ring also instead of a stud but the pain is more too when the needle goes through, you won't even feel a ear gun though, also a needle is more sterile. I have had absolutely NO problems with my piercing though, everything has been fine~~ Hope this helps

As for after care the best thing to do is use sea salt packs on the ear for cleaning at least once a day... Not table salt, but sea salt. You can buy sea salt in the spices aisle at any department/grocery store or you can buy it at a pharmacy. Use one cup of sea salt in really warm water and mix 1 tea spoon of salt or a little more if you can tollerate it. Also clean the ear with Dial (unscented) anti-bacterial soap and rince very well 2-3 times a day. Scented soaps will irritate the skin, Dial is recommended for all cartilage piercings. It is the best! After you clean the area apply the anticeptic with a clean cotton ball or gauze and pat dry with a paper towel. Never use wash cloths, etc because this can hold bacteria. Always wash hands with the anti-bacteria soap before touching or cleaning the ears! Contrary to what people say and a lot of places like Claires etc. It is not necessary to rotate earings, especially during the few days of the piercing. This will aggravate the piercing and will most likely delay healing time.. Where I work we do not recommend rotating the earrings.. Do NOT remove the earings because this can cause an infection and the earring needs to stay in the ear for at least 3 months if not longer, I recommend longer for Cartilage piercings. Studs heal a little more quick than loops, although loops are much easier to clean. After care is easier with a needle and a little safer but the needle pain will hurt a little, a gun you won't feel it but will take a little longer to heal.. Pain is minimal or should be minimal after the procedure. Excessive pain, puss, bleeding, swelling, or redness could be a sign of an infection.. You can get a medication from the doctor for an infection and keep cleaning the ear like I mentioned above. Do not use Peroxide, alcohol, Antibiotic ointment because this can delay healing. Just use the anticeptic, salt packs and clean with anti-bact soap. Hope this helps!

last year I got my left cartilage pierced, and I ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks. The infection was really bad. But I also got it in my right ear, but that didn't get infected. So its up to you. Good luck =]

Well, I just got my cartilage pierced yesterday, so I clearly remember what it feels like. I got it done with a gun, so there was this hugely intense pinch, with a stinging sensation afterward. Then it hurt for awhile, but after about half an hour the pain faded, and it only hurt when I turned it. Now it doesn't really hurt at all, but don't sleep on that side for a while.

I've done mine four times with a needle.
It doesn't hurt too bad, although it does get pretty sore, it's nothing unbareable. You really don't want to sleep on it either, because the pressure might actually push it through if it's a stud[that's what happened to me the first time]. It might hurt if you hit it or something, but soon enough it will go away.

Okay, I have mine done 3 times. Twice in my left done with a gun, and I just did my right by myself with a piercing stud. Any piercing hurts a little, and the cartilage ones hurt very litte. For a week or so it's a little sore when you lay on it. Mine are fine, healed good etc. Good Luck!

I think it would hurt a lot less if you got it pierced with a gun, seriously! Try going to walmart or claire's because they'll pierce it with a gun... I don't think its easy to get infected because mines never got infected and I didn't clean it as much as I was suppose to.. leave the earring they pierce it with in for 12 weeks.. good luck and if you can avoid getting it done with a needle than its better!

I agree that it all depends on you pain tolerance and ear care.
My friend and I both got our cartilage pierced at the same time. I'm a boy and she's a girl. She went first and didn't even flinch. According to her, it didn't hurt at all.

When I went, I didn't feel any pain. I was actually surprised by how painless it was. I heard a tiny pop (hers didn't pop), and it was all through. We both got ours done with needles. From what I hear, that's definitely the best way.

One shouldn't go to the mall to get cartilage (or anywhere) pierced. The guns use force to drive a stud through. Plus, a gun cannot be cleaned well. The needles are clean and safe. They only use them once.

So far (two weeks in), the piercing is healing well. It doesn't hurt at all, and I can already sleep on it.

Just get it done with a needle, in a clean, professional environment, following the piercist's cleaning directions, and enjoy!

Hope I helped!

I had mine done and honestly, its more of a fright than painful. It will ache a bit if you lay on it, and your hair will probably get caught in it, but all it will really be is a bit tender for a while, nothing really painful...
When I got mine done my mom knew it wouldn't hurt, but she sat there and said "oh, this is gonna be really painful..." being smart :P... it hardly hurt at all - working yourself up is the worst thing about the whole piercing experience.
It shouldn't get infected if you clean it regularly while its healing, but if it does, it's best to use professional products, so get the solution while you're there and save yourself some time. :)
Hope this is helpful.

I just got mine done yestrday and I'm only in middle school and I'm the third girl to have it done it doesn't really hurt but I got mine done with a gun so I can't help if you are getting it donewith a needle with a gun it is fast and painless it just is sore after for like an hour then it hurts to sleep on it that's about it just make sure you clean them and twist them 3 times daily!! GOOD LUCK!!

It really doesn't hurt. Its actually better to do it with a needle because doing it woth a gun will cause the cartilage to shatter. It all dpends on your pain tolerance level. I didn't even feel it, but a few days later it hurt.

I had mine done... im only 13 so I have it commin 2 what pain feels like...
I had mine pierced 4 times and I actually didn't feel anything
It did hurt 2 sleep on but that is expected... :[
I am planning on piercing my ears though by myself... I hope it doesn't hut... because I'm getting it done in the middle... even though I have had it done 3 times in the lobe and 1 time up at the top

I know this thread is a tad old, but I'll contribute anyway. If you are going to get your cartilage pierced, it is best to get it done at a piercing/tattoo parlor rather than somewhere in the mall, or somewhere like it. In the mall they use piercing guns. These guns are not sterilized, which could lead to infection. Not only that, they sometimes have a tendency to get stuck on the earring causing your ear to tear. Ouch! If you go to a tattoo/piercing parlor they will use a hollow needle, a brand new one out of the package that has never been used by anyone else. This is much more sterile.

I have had it done both ways. The gun didn't really hurt, but like I said there is the sterility problem. When I had it done with the hollow needle, it was a bit of a shock, but I wouldn't really call it pain. You would have a lower risk of infection in the long run if you get it done with the needle. :)

One shouldn't go to the mall to get cartilage (or anywhere) pierced. The guns use force to drive a stud through. Plus, a gun cannot be cleaned well. The needles are clean and safe. They only use them once.

Hope I helped!

I know this is old but I just wanted to get your facts straight-

~ I've only gotten my ears pierced at Claire's... and I watched them throw the gun away when they were done.
~Using a needle, still uses force. They push the needle into your skin, the push is the force. It's basic physics.

I know this is old but I just wanted to get your facts straight-

~ I've only gotten my ears pierced at Claire's... and I watched them throw the gun away when they were done.
~Using a needle, still uses force. They push the needle into your skin, the push is the force. It's basic physics.

They threw the whole gun away? Are you sure? Or did they throw the cartridge away? Even with a cartridge, it is still unsanitary to not clean the gun after each piercing.

And just so you have things straight, yes, a needle does need to be forced through your ear, but the hollow needle makes room for the earring, while the piercing gun does not. It forces an earring into a space where there is no room for it, which is highly irritating to the ear and almost always causes significant scarring.

The needle is the way to go.

They might have just thrown the cartridge away.

And I understand how you explained the force thing- I didn't really take into account that the earring has to go somewhere...

And I understand how you explained the force thing- I didn't really take into account that the earring has to go somewhere...

That's what a lot of people don't understand. Some people think that getting it done at the mall with a gun is a quick, cheap and painless method to use, but they don't realize the problems it can cause in the future (and of course, the people in the mall won't tell you :p).

If you get it done with a gun again, please be careful and take care of it to the best of your ability, but I really do not recommend piercing guns. :)

I want to get my cartlidge done but now I'm terrified it will get messed up with a gun and I'm extremely phobic of needles. Like there's generally crying and kicking involved when I get a shot... I'm 18. Heh.

Lol... I take piercings better than I take shots. I hate shots. The needle isn't that bad, and its usually over within seconds. Its also a much better and more sterile method in the long run.

I got my cartilage pierced with a gun and it honestly feels the same as getting it with the lobe. For the first week when sleeping on the ear, it was a tad sore, not bad but just a tad and after that I cannot feel it at all now, not a bit and I don't even know that I have it in their. I can sleep on it with no pain and I never know that it is even their like I said. Me and my mom both got ours pierced at Claires and they do use disposable guns and throw them away after use and they wash their hands and use gloves also, they are extra careful! My mom did hers first and she did not blink, I asked her if it hurt and she said no, just a tiny sting if that just like the lobe but hardly noticeable or could hardly feel it. If you can take a small shot in the arm then you can take a cartilage piercing with a gun. I am sure that a needle hurts worse.. I cleaned my ear for like 3-4 weeks afterwards, although it sais longer but I was fine.. My mom only cleaned hers for like 2 weeks because she is soooo impatient and she only cleaned hers once a day but ours did not get infected at all.. No puss, bleeding or nothing but my second lobe bleeded more than the cartilage because my cartilage did not bleed period. I cleaned my ear twice a day though Claires will also give you free large bottle of anticeptic per customer. At first there was a small lump that developed on my ear at the top on the back of the ear, with my mom this did not happen but just with me and it went away after one or two months and it was not painful but I also got this on my second lobe piercing as well so I guess I am extra sensitive. My mom did not get a lump but I think it was from pulling on my ear a lot.. Anyway you won't regret getting this done! I was sooo scared and there is nothing too it, no pain afterwards and it is so easy.. Good Luck and Claires did a great job for both my mom and I.

I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes alot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?
Well I've just had my cartlidge done on the side were you say you want it done and my mate did it for me all she did was numb it wit ice,it hurt a bit but not enough 2 make me cry or anyfin I've had it dne 4 like 2months now and mine perfectly fine all it did was hurt when I sleep xxx

I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes alot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?
I did mine myslef 4 days ago and it didn't hurt at all when I did it. But now I can't sleep at night because of the pain. I've heard it's normal to hurt a long time, even with a professional.

If u have it done by a gun it can shatter your cartilage as the force is to strong.
If your still unsure ask the piercer what they recommend.

I have had it done on my left ear with the gun and my right ear ( industrial so to holes with a bar threw em) done with the needle...

I reakon the gun hurt a lot more and healed a lot slower... it actully took longer to do my left ear (1 hole) then my industrial

My industrail was saw to bump for awhile but that's prob because I'm clumsy lol

I know this is old but I just wanted to get your facts straight-

~ I've only gotten my ears pierced at Claire's... and I watched them throw the gun away when they were done.
~Using a needle, still uses force. They push the needle into your skin, the push is the force. It's basic physics.

Hello!

I believe I had my facts straight. I might have been a little vague I suppose.

Yes, a needle obviously needs some force to go through the ear. I wasn't suggesting it magically penetrates. Thank you for clearing up the "basic physics" for me. What I meant was a piercing gun forces the skin out of the way. In contrast, a piercing needle creates a space for the piercing.

Although they might have thrown away the gun used on you, around here it is NOT common practice to throw away piercing guns after every use. Actually, I have NEVER heard of a piercing gun being thrown away after a piercing.

nauticalstar420 , thanks for explaining what I meant. I haven't been on in awhile, and I appreciate it. :)

I just got mine done two days ago and they used the gun and I'm not going to lie it did hurt some but just when it went through and its just sore now, if you get the gun make sure it is clean where you get it and clean it at least twice a day and you should be fine

It is not painful if you numb it with ice and than do it quick and fast that is what I did it might hurt a little after but not much as long as you don't touch it a lot after. And be shure not to sleep on it after

I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes alot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?



I would suggest getting it with a gun, it is faster,and you usually don't really feel it. It hurts worse to get you earlobes pierced for some people. If your saying using a needle by a friend, I really don't recommend it, because you chances of infection and mistakes go up a lot. If you take care of it after you let a professional do it, you should be fine. If you just get it and don't clean it with the solution that they give you, you can get infection and some people get something called "calliflower ear." Basically it deforms your ear to look like a calliflower, you can probably look it up on Google. I think it takes about 12 weeks to heal a cartilage for most people, but they recommend you leave an earing in there for about a year.

I just got mine done today in the mall... not at claire's but at a piercing pagoda. I was so nervous to get it done because I am not very tolerant of pain but they used a gun and it really didn't hurt at all. Also they do use disposable guns.. I saw the woman take a brand new gun out of a fresh package so I would definitely recommend using the gun I hear the needle hurts a lot more

i just got mine done today in the mall... not at claire's but at a piercing pagoda. i was soo nervous to get it done because i am not very tolerant of pain but they used a gun and it really didn't hurt at all. also they do use disposable guns.. i saw the woman take a brand new gun out of a fresh package so i would definitely recomend using the gun i hear the needle hurts a lot more

They use disposable cartridges that fit into the gun. They do not throw away the gun itself. Even though they use a new cartridge on everyone, they still do not properly sterilize the gun itself.

I got my cartilage pierced with a gun about 3 years ago. I can say that it did hurt (not terrible or anything) and the girl who performed the piercing did it crooked... anyways.
After 3 years you would think that the hole wouldn't close, but one day my earring came out and by the time I realized it, it had already closed. For good. I think most piercing are fairly safe these days as long you yo see sterile equipment, and you yourself take care of your piercing.

I had mine done by gun at Wal-Mart 3 days ago. It hasn't hurt at all.. Only when I sleep on it or bump it..

Heyy I read these helpful answers earlier today (a couple hours before getting my cartilage pierced) and they were really helpful so THANK YOU!!
I got mine done at a jewelry store w/ a needle. I was really scared, but as some other people said, most of it is the fear and that there isn't much pain compared to the fear. I've heard that the needle is safest so I'd go w/ that.

Tell me if you have any Qs!

Gigi:)

Hi, I've had the top of my ear done only recently, well in fact 3 days ago. It hurt yes, but not enough to make me start screaming with pain. You can hear the pop of it go through your cartilage. It will sting a little bit afterwards, but I definitely recommend getting it done with a needle as it is a lot more sanitary because they only use that needle once, and also because it doesn't shatter your cartilage. I've had no problems with my ear, which has a hoop earring in it. But it will be a little uncomfortable to sleep on for a few days keep it clean and make sure your hands are clean if you're going to fiddle with it. Also, when you go and get your piercing done make sure you've eaten something at least 4 hours before because I made the mistake of not doing so and nearly passed out a few minutes afterwards so get some sugar, a chocolate bar or something and just relax it's well worth it afterwards.

I am a guy and have my lobes pierced got them done when I was 18 and would like to get my cartilage pierced. I would like to know a few things first. DO the girls and other people think they are OK on a guy? Does it hurt for a long time? How much does it cost? Also thinking about getting my lip pierced any tips or ideas?

I just got my cartilage pierced two days ago with a needle. I personally think it did hurt... it was definitely bearable though and wasn't that bad,it was over before I knew it and only hurt for a little afterwards.I do think that you should read up on piercing information before you do anything though. My friend got her cartilage pierced at claires with a gun and said it was more sanitary and I figured I would rather go there than some tattoo place.. turns out I was wrong. Luckily at first my mom didn't want me to get it done so instead of going to the mall my family went shopping in a town at lake george and my mom had changed her mind so we stopped in a tattoo place. I got my cartilage pierced there with a needle and afterwards I went online and read how unsanitary guns were and how the people at claires are not experienced. I'm lucky that I went to the tattoo place instead

Computer geeek,

It depends on what kind of guy you are, some guys can pull it off(cartilage piercing), some can't. If you look like Jay Manuel (americas next top model) then yes, that would look great lol Ask some of your friends or something. However, I don't really like lip piercings... (this is a girls opinion)
Mine cost about $30 but then I had to buy the cleaning stuff so it was like 42

If you have anymore Qs, I'll answer them!!

~Gigi

I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes alot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?
The first time I got mine pierced, I did it myself, which took longer to go the skin, but didn't hurt very much. I then got it pierced with a gun, which was a quick sharp pain. It does ache for a couple of hours afterwards, but nothing unbearable. For a couple of weeks after you get it pierced, it is sore to sleep on or pull, but nothing bad.

About two weeks ago I got my cartilage pierced with a needle. Of course, it hurt a little bit but was not nearly as bad as I thought. It was sore for about an hour after, but that is about it.
I would say go for it!

Brandy I had exactly the same thing, people scared me so much saying it would hurt etc and I eventually got it done... and it hurt LESS THAN GETTING MY LOBES DONE! And I'm so fed up with you people who scare people that they should not get their cartillage done, because either you're a bunch of babies with a very low pain threshold or your just trying to be irritating. I got mine done with a piercing gun and it was very quick.. no pain what so ever and honestly.. no lie I am the worst ever with pain so I would be telling you if it hurt the slightest bit - which it didn't.
Mine hasn't ached.. swollen or anything.. its not even the slightest bit red.
But as everyone says you must NOT sleep on it.. otherwise then you'd be in trouble.
I got mine done in claire's.
Please, whoever wants to get their cartillage done.. dont be the least bit scared because its SO PAINLESS and don't listen to anyone telling you it will shatter your cartillage or be so painful or swell up so bad and just get it done! Its worth it!!
Don't sit there wondering if you should get it done or not.. like I stupidly did.
It looks great aswel!!

Well I got mine pierced about 4 days agoo.. and I did it myselff! Just with a earingg.. and it doesn't hurt when it gets pierced but it will be soree for a whilee. And now my ear doesn't hurtt! Don't sleep on it either bcus its going to hurt a little..

Whoever said that when you get your cartilage pierced with a gun doesn't hurt must have been under the influence of some miracle drug. I turnd 18 in the middle of may and got my cartilage pierced soon after. I went to Claire's because Mom said that tattoo parlors were completely out of the question. So, I went to Claire's, armed with birthday money, excitement, and a scrunchie. I also wanted a second lobe piercing, so, in total, I was getting 4 piercings at once. One in each ear on the cartilage and a second one on the lobe. Cost me about 50 dollars. When she finally got those horrible purple dots in the same spot on both ears, I was told to take a deep breath and *BOOM*, she did it. It really hurt. I mean, really. I suppose it depends on how thick your actual cartilage is, and mine must be pretty thick. My ear was hot and red for several hours afterwards. Keep in mind: when you get your ears pierced with a gun, you are forcing a blunt object through your ear. Not good. I found this out AFTER I had it done. Now, almost 2 months later (recommended healing period) my ears still hurt when I sleep on them, but other than that, I love the piercings. Please, don't use a gun. Use a sterile needle to maximize safety and minimize risk. I hope you go through with it. Good luck!

I'm really considering getting my cartilage done as well and I see the opinion on how much it hurts is different from everyone. I am wondering if anyone has there belly button done as well and if the pain was more or less than that because I got my belly button done and was pleasantly surprised by how little it hurt

Im 12 and yesterday I got mine done. It dident hurt at all, Trust me use the gun my friend got the needle and she said it really hurt. Yet mine diddent

Mine was done at a tattoo parlour and a needle was used, it is highly sanitary. The chances of it getting infected depends on your cleaning methods, there is no chance that if you go to a professional that it will get infected just by that, you have to make sure you clean it, because I didn't clean it for a number of weeks in the middle of the healing and it got infected, and it hurt, but it quickly healed itself. Your cartilige is predicted the 8/10th most painful peircing, but honestly it doesn't hurt at all, just pinch the top of your ear with your nails and it kinda' feels like that. When you've got this peircing then you get another somewhere else, your belly button for example, it hurts A lot less as that one was more painful (: hope this helps xox

Ps. Don't listen to volcomst5, a gun is the stupidest way.

Personally I'd do the gun.

But if you decide to go with the gun make sure they take the back out and when the earring is in your ear then put it on or else the pressure will screw your ear up and make it throb badly.

As for the unsafe... just make sure you take care of it and when you clean it your hands are clean.

i think it would hurt alot less if u got it pierced with a gun, seriously!! try going to walmart or claire's bcuz they'll pierce it with a gun... i dont think its easy to get infected bcuz mines never got infected and i didnt clean it as much as i was suppose to.. leave the earring they pierce it with in for 12 weeks.. good luck and if u can avoid getting it done with a needle than its better!!


Needle piercings are a lot safer then piercing guns. I pierce and I never use piercing guns. Piercing guns can traumatize skin tissue, and if skin tissue is traumatized in the cartilage area in some cases people get kellids, which is abnormal tissue growth in the area of the piercing. Just Google it =)

o you =) people that say cartilage piercings are painful are most likely referring to the healing process and the soreness that comes after getting the piercing. The piercing it self may not hurt but for most people the healing after does, especially on people with longer hair who may have the stud get tangled. The cartilage piercing that I would say hurts an extended period after it is pierced would be an industrial piercing. Where you have two spots in the cartilage pierced and a industrial bar shaped jewelry going through both holes. The reason for this is the jewelry is usually pretty heavy since most jewelry in shops used is made of surgical steel, and every you make fast movements the bar is heavy on your ear so you can really feel it, especially when it isn't healed.

cartilage piercings do not hurt one bit. I have mine done twice in my right ear and I thought it was the easiest thing I had ever done. I got all hyped up and scared right before and then when they did it, I was like wow... that was nothing.

I say get it done. They look super cute! =]

Uhh they don't hurt? Yeah maybe at first but it really depends on your skin. I had extreme case of cellulitus, ran a high fever and had to be put on an IV in the hospital for 2 weeks. I look like I have cauliflower ear now so I don't recommend this peircing.

Ok well I just got my cartalige peorced a couple of hours ago And to be honist people are going to syk u out I was about to tell the lady not to do it that I was scared and to be honist it feels better then a shot he'll you if u want if get it I got it with the gun dead serous it was greats and I love it!!

I got mine done like a month ago and when they're doing it with a gun it doesn't hurt. I didn't even feel it. What kind of hurts is afterwards. Good Luck.

Cartilage piercings honestly do not hurt.. I was scared for a very long time of having it done and when I finally did I did not feel anything at all. It feels like when you get your lobe done... you may feel a light pinch but I didn't feel anything at all. It hurt heck of a lot less that a shot, I mean you really can't feel it. I got mine done at Claires with a gun and it didn't hurt. I heard that if you go to a tattoo parlor they will do it with a needle and it will hurt a little but with a needle the wound heals faster so it is up to you. I am chicken and I am afraid of needles and I got mine done in the mall, it was not bad.. A lot of people was watching and afterwards there is NO pain. I said thats it, I didn't feel it! My ear was sore for a few days afterwards when I slept on my ear, only and after I got off of my ear it don't hurt. Also it is a little sore when I touch the ear and clean it but when I don't touch it my ear is fine. I have had a pimple in the back of the cartilage area of my ear that hurts bad before but this piercing doesn't hurt.. A pimple on the ear is worse, honestly. The worse part is thinking that it is going to hurt but it wont hurt. They say that having your cartilage pierced with a needle, your ear will heal faster and you can use a ring also instead of a stud but the pain is more too when the needle goes through, you wont even feel a ear gun though, also a needle is more sterile. I have had absolutely NO problems with my piercing though, everything has been fine~~ Hope this helps

I just wantto say thank you for giving me the courage to go and get it done. I will go and get it done this very weekend. I am a little scared, I have to admit. But, now that you told me it doesn't hurt, I will get it done! Thanks a million!

brandy i had exactly the same thing, people scared me so much saying it would hurt etc and i eventually got it done...and it hurt LESS THAN GETTING MY LOBES DONE! And im so fed up with u ppl who scare ppl that they should not get their cartillage done, because either your a bunch of babies with a very low pain threshold or your just trying to be irritating. I got mine done with a piercing gun and it was very quick..no pain what so ever and honestly..no lie i am the worst ever with pain so i would be telling you if it hurt the slightest bit - which it didn't.
Mine hasnt ached ..swollen or anything..its not even the slightest bit red.
But as everyone says you must NOT sleep on it..otherwise then you'd be in trouble.
I got mine done in claire's.
Please, whoever wants to get their cartillage done..dont be the least bit scared because its SO PAINLESS and dont listen to anyone telling you it will shatter ur cartillage or be so painful or swell up so bad and just get it done!! its worth it!!!!
dont sit there wondering if you should get it done or not.. like i stupidly did.
it looks great aswel!!!!

Thank you soooooooo much for letting me kow that it doesn't hurt. People were really starting tio scare me about it shattering. So, I will get it done this weekend. All thanks to you!

Hi um I got my cartlidge pierced today with a gun and I don't really feel the pain what should I do now, like should I ice it or?

I have an industrial (if you don't know what that is I'm sorry) but its basically 2 piercings with a bar in the cartilage. It will hurt a little getting done but after a while it will stop. Just keep it clean. Cartilage piercings are the easiest to get infected. And get it done with a needle. They are far more sanitary. Just clean it with antibiacterial soap or salt water. Try not to lay on it cause it will suffocate and lengthen healing time. Wait about 2 months before you change any rings. And go to a reliable place to avoid infection as well. Like I said, my industrial hurt but those hurt more than just cartilage. It depends on the person. GOOD LUCK!

I just recently got my nose and my tragus (inside piece of ear attached to face) pierced by a professional in a legit shop with a hollow needle. I also got my upper ear cartilage pierced about a year prior to those piercings with a gun at my local Claire's. I would have to say that in my case the upper cartilage was by far more painful than anything I have ever had done. I'm sure it really depends on the person but in my case I had nearly no pain with the later two piercings, as opposed to my upper cartilage. I actually took out my upper cartilage piercing after 7 months and let it heal over because the pain was not going away, I would almost venture to say that the pain was unbearable. I could not sleep on it or touch it. I kept it clean and did everything as directed and it was still excruciating. I am having my upper cartilage re-pierced by a piercer in a tattoo shop because of my great experience with them. I hope it does not hurt as bad but we will see.

I actually got my ear pearced like 4 days ago and I got it with a gun... it was perfectly fine everydayy before today? I woke up this morning and its swollen and puffy purple Im not to sure if getting the needle is any different from the gun? I just think the gun is more painless but yeah it can end up infected but it can get infected for the needle too?

I am getting the top of my ear pierced, like on the side in the cartilage. I was wondering how much it will hurt if it is being done with a needle (not a gun) and how high chance it is for infection. I know that it takes alot longer than a hole in your earlobe to heal, about a few months?

It doesn't hurt at all!! I got mine done with a gun at claires and it was fast and pain almost pain free. And the risk of infection is much higher but it all depends on how you take care of it. Clean it 3 times a day and wiggle the earring and twist it so the skin doesn't become infused with the earring. The gun was a better alternative for me because it is fast and the earring goes in as they pierce. And I read on Google that the gun is safer and reduces chance of infection by a lot because they don't have to use there grubby hands to put an earring in but it is all a matter of opinion. And whether you get an infection all depends on how you take care of it. Good Luck!

Hi! I know this is old but I don't know... um claires doesn't use a gun anymore... they use a little thing that yyou put the earring in and then they squeeze the ends together... Then they throw it away.. So its a lot more sterile and cleaner than the gun... so yeah all the people talking about the sterilness of the needle compared to a gun.. claires doesn't use a gun anymore... just letting you know..
p.s. I don't have my cartilage peirced but I got my 2nd holes in the earlobe.. I was going to get cartilage but you have to be older than 13!!

~♥jessica

hi! I know this is old but idk... um claires doesnt use a gun anymore... they use a little thing that yyou put the earring in and then they squeeze the ends together... Then they throw it away.. So its alot more sterile and cleaner than the gun... so yeah all the people talkin about the sterilness of the needle compared to a gun.. claires doesnt use a gun anymore... just lettin ya know..
p.s. i dont have my cartilage peirced but i got my 2nd holes in the earlobe.. I was gonna get cartilage but you have to be older than 13!!!

~♥jessica
Yeah, that's a gun... disposable one.

How does everyone pierce their own cartilage? I've done my lobe but I'm terrified to do the top of my ear. What's the secret?

How does everyone pierce their own cartilage?? I've done my lobe but I'm terrified to do the top of my ear. What's the secret?
Have a professional do it to surpass the risk of infection, keliods, and doing it wrong.

I'm going to try to convince my mom to let me get it done soon, I'm worried that it will get infected because the first few time I pierced my lobe it practically ate my earing. Although I was young *maybe 6? * so I might not of taken that much care for it... is it easy to get infected if you do not clean it well?

Hey I have four cartilage piercings and I had them all done with a gun and they didn't swell or get infected and they were fast and didn't hurt at all so I advice you to go with a gun and it will be sore for a month but it will go away...

Im 11 and I'm getting my cartalige pierced! And I want to know what hurts more needle or gun? And what gets more infecteed a needle or gun! I'm getting it done before school starts! I'm excited but scared to. I just donw want it to get infected. And I'm kind of scared about my cartalige shattering what ever that means! Any adivice?

I read up a lot about cartilage piercings before I got mine on blogs just to see how much it hurt, etc. and decided that neither the gun or the needle really came out on top when it comes to safety or pain. I went to claire's where they do gun piercings and found out it hurt less than getting my lobes done and I almost threw up when I got them done. (I have a low tolerance for pain.) Take your hand and apply pressure to the top of your ear, as much as you can... It hurt less than that. The after pain hurts a little bit for a while. If you touch it or swipe it the pain comes as fast as it goes. I would not caution against it for pain reasons. Hope I helped.

The chance of your helix peircing getting infected is minimal so long as you keep it clean and don't fiddle with it too much unless its to twist the jewellery to make sure it doesn't crust up, trust me, you do not want to get this piercing infected!

Well I just got it a mystic place and they did a needle it didn't hurt and the guy said to NEVER use a gun or it'll shatter your cartalige

I pierced my cartlidge myself it doesn't hurt and all you hear is a crunch, and as for cleaning it I never really did just peroxide here and there but other than that it healed on its own, and I would say just stay away from sleeping on that side for the first week cause it is painful afterwards, but it should heal just fine, and normally infections only occur if you change the earing to early or try to change the gauge of the earing.

I've just got my cartlige peirced yesterday and I got it by my friends mom and she really had no experience but although she did do a good job but the eiring I gave her was thicker then the needle so I wasn't too happy when she told me that and I didn't have any other ones so she put in this little string for now so the next day I went to the mall and bought a hoop and I was pretty sure that was my size so when I got home I took the string out and tried putting it in and it was too big and I even asked the women and she said it would fit so I had to get the needle put it through again and put a new string but the needle didn't want to go through and it hurt sooo much trying to force it and I didn't want to hit a vane and plus I never told my parents about this so I couldn't afford for annything to go wrong so I left it alone and let it close but I was really mad though cause I went through a lot of pain to get it bu I'm going to get it peirced proffesionlly done next time

Nigger

Stupid niggers!

Well, I got mine done, with the earing, I think it's a special piercing earring, so the guy just pushed right through and but the backing on, it didn't hurt AT ALL. So I'm guessing it's the same feeling as a needle... and mine didn't hurt at all, ever... except for when you try to sleep on it , so yeah keep it in for 3 months, or so and you should be fine! = D

I got mine done about 3 days ago at a tattoo shop with a needle. Getting it done did not hurt that bad, a little pinch and a popping sound and it was done! I think getting my nose pierced hurt worse... but 3 days later my ear has been throbbing all freakin day! It was fine the first two days... I think I kept bumping it in my sleep or something, but I'm definitely going to take a motrin now and hope it helps the throbbing!

Well, I got my cartilage pierced a couple of months ago with a gun.
I didn't feel anything except a little pinch. The after care was easy to.
My earring didn't infect and it didn't hurt that much when I slept on it either
Its strange because I only dissinfected my ear for three days not even
And my ears perfectly fine, no blood no puss and my ear looks perfectly fine
Even after a long time of waiting I don't have anyyy infection. Usually when I
Got my lobes pierced they DID get infected but not my cartilage.

It hurts likea

I got it done yeaterday and it still hurts... is that normal?

I've had mine done yesterday... umm is it normal for it to still hurt... because it does.. like when will the pain acctually go away? I got it done and when I did I didn't feel anything... but now it hurts... umm.. well how do you know when it's infected to?
1) supposed to hurt?
2) infection?

I just got boths sides done and they are doing great.

OK I have a?. im getting my cartilage pierced for my birthday but I have 2 schedule it around my sporting events... I play soccer so I was wondering if I got it pierced right after my season ends (around may 25-june 4) would I hve enough time to heal before I had 2 start again (late July early august)?

I'm scared to get mine done and I want to know at claires in the liberty tree mall do they do a good job and does it hurt bad

I got my cartilage done twice with a needle and just yesterday I got my tragus pierced at the same tattoo shop. Honestly it doesn't hurt as bad as you'd think. Of course this depends on your pain treshold, but even then the initial pain only lasts a min. And you'll be sore for a week or so, longer with the tragus. But I'd say it's worth it. I wouldn't get it done with a gun because it's potencially more dangerous, because it can shatter or otherwise damage your cartilage. Yes, getting it done with a needle sounds morbid, and might be a little more painful because the process takes a little longer, but it's not that bad and it's so worth it! Salt water is an excellent way to clean your piercings! There's this spray called H2Ocean that you can buy and it's great! My ears have never been infected. I think some people choose the mall because they think it will be quicker and less painful, but the piercers at tattoo shops are safe and efficient at what they do. Plus in my opinion hoops look better than studs. So I'd definitely recommend getting your cartilage pierced at a tattoo shop. I hope this helps!

I had mine done with a gun about 2 months ago, and itz doing good, no infections and it doesn't hurt at all!

Really I just got my left cartilage pierced and I went to a tattoo place and they used the needle and they told me that you should wash it well 3 times a day and I laughed when I got mine done, so. It honestly doesn't hurt.. sooo goodluck. :)

I'm so afraid it will get infected help me!! And my mom wants it to be safe is it?? Which one hurts more needle or gun!! Helpppp urgg haha

Ok me and a few of my friends will be qhettinq the top cartilage part of our ears peirced and iWanted to honestly know how it feels. One of my friends got the bottom part of her ear double peirced and she said they will use a pinch gun ithink its called. But iHeard many different answers so iWant the honest answer.

iWant to know the same thinq because many are sayinq the gun hurts more and is more unsafe. But then others say the needle is more painful but heels faster. I'd prefer to use the gun because it is over with faster. The needle has to be pushed into your ear carefully. But Good luck =)

I really want mine done but a lot of people keep saying its very painful with a neddle. That's the only way I can have it done I'm scared!

Anyone want to talk about it?

I g0t mines done yesterday and I did it by myself. It really doesn't hurt as long as you don't sleep on it or irritate it. I pierced it by myself.Good luck!

I got mines done with a gun a month ago, it didn't hurt it just stung for a bit afterwards. But if you do get it done, don't sleep on it, because it hurts like hell the morning after and can start getting red and swollen because that's what happened to me. But most piercers do pierce with needles now,so its they obvioulsy think it's better and safer. I don't imagine it would be that sore.

I got my cartilage pierced a little over a year ago and my ear is still red and puss comes out of it still... I always soaked it once a day with salt and warm water as they told me too in the beginning and I just stopped soaking it in September and its December now... I also changed the earring too a stud where as it was a hoop before.. I don't know if I should go to the place where I got it pierced so that they can see if there is something wrong or if its just part of the healing process.. I don't know what to do?

I think if you soaked it in warm salt water for 10 minutes it should heal? Maybe check what type of material is your earing is. If it is cheap metal that could be the problem or something like that. Mine is sterling silver and I have no problems.