For a few months now I have been wanting to get my conch pierced but I was soooo scared! Some people told me that the conch is one of the most painful piercings and I always think I have a low pain tolerance so I didn't think I'd be able to go through with it. To me that area of the ear is so thick so I could imagine how much it'd hurt. I kept contemplating it on and off for months.
At A Glance Author ariela Contact spork422@aol.com IAM ariela When It just happened Artist Brian Studio Sacerd Location New York City My friend had to go to sacred in China town because she had a question about her cartilage , being there gave me the urge to get my conch. We left and got food and I went back home to read up on experiences on bme. Everyone seemed to say that it was bearable and it didn't hurt as much as they expected. Everyone seemed to have had a positive experience so I decided to do it. I was extremely nervous though.
We walked back to Sacred where Brian would pierce me. He has a very good reputation and is also very nice and highly respected by many so I wanted him to be the one to pierce me.
I told him I wanted to get my conch and he asked what gauge and I was like "umm 16?" and he said I can't do it that small because it'd eat away the cartilage and that I had to do it at, at least 12g. I was scared because I figured the bigger the piercing the more it'd hurt but he said it wouldn't and that it'd heal better. I decided on a ring with a black ball. I was so scared but he told me I was making it out to be much worse then it is. He said he'd dermal punch it instead of using a needle and that it'd hurt less that way. Dermal punching removes a piece of the tissue.
I went into the piercing room which is all very clean and I sat on the table while Brian cleaned my ear. He then marked where he'd be piercing me. I was worried at first that the ring would touch my other earrings but luckily that didn't wind up happening.
I then lay down on the table while I held my friends hand. I was so scared. I kept asking Brian if he was about to do it but he said not yet and that he was just checking my ear and the spot and making sure everything was right.
He then told me he was ready and to take a deep breath, when I breathed out, he pierced me and I think I said "oh my god" but then it was over and I was smiling because I was sooo relieved that it didn't hurt as bad as I was expecting. It DID hurt, I'm not going to lie but it WAS bearable!! I was so happy that I didn't puke or pass out or anything of the sort haha It was a second and it hurt but then it was over with. I was very relieved. I did hear a slight crunch but not a loud pop like other people say they've experienced.
Then Brian had to clean away all the blood which took a while, he held some tissues by my ear. There was blood on the back of my neck and my hair which he all cleaned away. I asked if the ring was in yet and he said no and that I'd feel it when he put it in but when he did I really didn't feel it go in!
After I was all cleaned up I sat up and looked in the mirror , at first I thought it was a bit big but I got used to it and like it lots!!
I paid($35) and tipped him and off I went.
Walking home..the strong wind made my conch hurt a little bit but it was bearable, also if I'd turn my head it'd hurt. I got home and cleaned it. I am just using warm water sea salts to clean it because those seem to work best for me.
It's been 3 days now and so far when I clean it there has been a very small amount of blood/crusties.
I can't lay on it because that hurts or if I touch it, it hurts because it is still sore but I'm not supposed to touch it anyway.
So far so good, I am hoping the whole healing process will run smoothly and if you wanna get pierced go to sacred and get pierced by Brian because he's great!
I'd love to talk about my experience with others or if anyone has questions, feel free to email me