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. :)

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Originally Posted by Gia1630

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!

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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.

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Originally Posted by not_done_baking

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.

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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...

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Originally Posted by not_done_baking

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by amour_amour363

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?

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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

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Originally Posted by amour_amour363

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?

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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

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Originally Posted by not_done_baking

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.

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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

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Originally Posted by amour_amour363

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?

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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

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Originally Posted by jaclyn120

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

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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