What an incredibly boring day it was! I woke up, the sun was shining and I did not have a thing to do as it was my day off. All of my friends were either in school or working so finding somebody to do something with was out. I took a shower and was brushing my teeth in front of the mirror when I caught a glimpse of my very sad single helix on my upper left ear. It would have been an industrial but had so many problems with the bottom piercing that I had to take it out. And then I decided I had to get a new piercing that morning. It's funny how most of the time I never really plan or put too much thought into getting another piercing; the idea just pops into my head and I run and get one.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened I'd been looking at the anti-tragus for some time and knew that that was the piercing I had to get. I went on the computer and tried to look for some experiences, however, there were very few. The few I did read had opinions on the pain ranging from "painless" to "bearable" to " the worst pain I've ever felt." Well, I was in the dark but figured the pain would be worth it.
I ran to the bank for 50 bucks and arrived at my favorite piercing place by the porno shop. This place is excellent: very clean, smells good, and the piercers are older and more experienced. I was happy to see there were no customers so I was asked right away what I wanted. I told her I wanted an anti-tragus. However, she didn't seem to know what this was. I showed her on my ear where I would like the piercing. She said she had never done one before but would do it. She wanted to look at my ear to figure out what kind of jewelry to use; when she brought out this tiny little 18 gauge CBR I said NO WAY ...a 14 is the smallest I like to go. She agreed and told me to wait while she got things ready. I looked around for awhile trying not to appear nervous. I always work myself up right before the procedure even though I know they are never that bad. Man I was really hoping it wasn't going to be "the worst pain I've ever felt." Pushing that thought back the piercer call ed me back.
She had me mark the spot I wanted which was right on that little bump in the middle of the antí-tragus. She decided she would pierce it from the inside of the ear to the outside. I had to lay down; my ear was clamped which was a little bit uncomfortable. Before I knew it the needle had slid right through with no problem and she was putting on the jewelry. It bled for about three minutes and then stopped. It never bled again. Did it hurt? Of course it hurt!! But it was so quick. Really, it was more of an incredible pressure than a shooting pain. My piercer was very pleased with my anti-tragus and said she wished she had her camera. I was pleased too and very proud myself. I consider it my coolest piercing. I was in nearly three accidents on the way home because I couldn't quit checking out my ear in the mirror. My ear was throbbing a bit, but not anything some ibuprofen couldn't handle. Ibuprofen works the best. Don't take aspirin, of course, because it thins th e blood.
No professional piercer has ever recommended that I use sea salt, on the other hand, I think sea salt soaks are the greatest thing in the world for a fresh piercing. Not only does it make cleaning crusties easier, but it also kills the pain for awhile. I've been doing sea salt soaks two to three times a day and follow with bacitracin. Be sure to rinse off all the sea salt after you've soaked it because it can cause some drying of the outside of the piercing. It's been about 3 weeks and have had no problems. It never swelled up and only hurt the first hour or two after I had it pierced.
I love this piercing because it's not dangly and ostentatious like lobe piercings, yet, it doesn't go unnoticed. People are always asking me how it works and are surprised it doesn't come out of the back of my ear. This definately has to be my favorite piercing. Now I plan on getting my right anti-tragus pierced.
If you are considering this piercing just go for it. Have you ever gotten a piercing that was pain free? I sure haven't. I always wonder what people are talking about when they say "this or that" piercing was absolutely "pain free." Whatever, they're trying to sound tough. This piercing does hurt, but it goes so quickly. Remember it's going to feel more like a heavy pressure than anything. Like any piercing it is so worth it when you have an awesome new piece of metal through your skin. Oh, what a feeling!!
Do use sea salt saoks. Don't rotate the jewelry around for the first few days, just saok it and use a q-tip to get the crud off. And most importantly, keep your dirty paws off of them! I just loved playing around with my industrial and as I said I no longer have it.