I have only read a small amount of information about anti-tragus piercings. All I seemed to learn over the short period of time I spent reading about the piercing was that it was "surprisingly one of the most painful piercings". That intimated me somewhat and I decided to keep the idea of getting it pierced in the back of my mind. Not only did it intimidate me I was not sure if the piercing itself would suit me or if my anti-tragus could be pierced.
At A Glance Author jess Contact happyendingssuck@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Matt Studio Creation Body Piercing Location Thunder Bay, ON This past weekend I had went to Thunder Bay and spent a night at my friend Nick's, who that morning was going to Creation to get his CBR changed to a barbell. That morning I had the worst hangover of my life and went to Creation but decided that for once I was not going to get pierced at Creation. After arriving at Creation my friend Nat, who had come with Nick and I, decided to get her navel pierced and I started to feel almost left out. Well that is just my excuse for wanting to get something done so I came to the quick decision that I had to get something pierced while I was there. There was no point of making a trip to Creation and not getting something done right?
The next problem for me was deciding within a short period of time what I wanted pierced. I mean, usually I think about what I am going to get pierced for a longer period of them then make an appointment. The day I went, Saturday, was a walk in only day too so Nat and Nick were not going to be in the studio for long. After thinking over possibilities such as my inner conch done at a large gauge, my rook or a snug which I realized could not be pierced without having quite a bit of difficulties I still sat clueless. I was not sure about getting my inner conch dermal punched which I wanted at a 4 gauge and then again was not too sure if dermal punches were even done at Creation. After thinking over what I could get for a few minutes before Nick went in, I decided on my anti-tragus and hoped that I could get out of the chair I was sitting in and get to the desk without throwing up from my brutal night before. After realizing that I did not have the urge to throw up every 5 seconds and it was more like every 10, I got up and filled out the paper which I can get done within less than a minute now and did not have enough time to get nervous about getting my body jabbed with yet another needle.
Not long after filling out the necessary paper and Nick's CBR getting changed, it was time for me to go into the back room with Nat to get ourselves pierced. We were given the option to go in together considering we were friends. Upon arriving in the back room, Matt went through and explained the procedures and assured Nat that her navel piercing would not hurt. This did not seem to comfort me at all, there was really no reassurance that getting my anti-tragus pierced would not be painful so I decided to not even ask about what this may feel like. I felt the need to explain to Matt that I was not in the best condition right now. I promised I would try my hardest not throw up on him but if by any chance I did I would buy him a new shirt. Seeing how I was not still under the influence of alcohol the piercing procedure itself would not be affected, I just may bleed a little more than usual because my blood was probably still similar to water.
Nat and I were given the option about who would go first and I decided to go to get endorphins kicking in hopes that I might feel better. I chose the CBR bead that I wanted and chose good old number 15 which I have used on many of my other piercings and took a seat. Matt placed a dot on my ear with the marker and I was very pleased with the placement chosen. Not long after, Matt got the clamps, needle, bead, ring, ring openers and closers and then the swabs, set it out on the tray and it was that time again. Matt cleaned off my ear and while sitting on the chair Matt told me that the clamps are pretty annoying especially around the anti-tragus. Well I will just say he did not sugarcoat it at all. The clamps were not painful but for once they were more irritating and seemed tighter than any of the other 17 piercings that I have had done before. I sat in the chair and was almost sure that he had put the needle through but then I heard the words "take a deep breath in". I was so confused, apparently the clamps were not on all the way yet which was surprising for me because usually the clamps are put on right away and my piercings have been done in a very short period of time. I am not going to complain because it is more promising to know that one is taking more time making sure that everything is in place before having a needle pass through random body parts. After I took my deep breath I felt pressure and a pinch which was then followed by *crunch*. The crunch was nothing overly surprising considering I have had several cartilage piercings in the past but it has never been as loud as that. To my surprise, and Matt's, I did not bleed like a fountain with water it took a swab to clean it up and I was set to go. After I had my ear swabbed I popped up, got aftercare instructions and sat on the other chair and waited for Nat to get her navel pierced.
After I paid for my newly pierced anti-tragus I took a step outside and I can say that was probably the worst part. It was so cold outside I thought my ear was going to fall off that instant. I will honestly say that getting my anti-tragus pierced did not hurt. I felt it more than other piercings but it was nothing that I could not handle. I think that expecting more pain beforehand makes it less to deal with. It has been three days since I have had my piercing done and I have experienced no troubles *knocks on wood*. It was hard to move the CBR when cleaning the first day because my ear was still swollen but I am already able to move it through with ease while cleaning it. I have had no troubles sleeping and I think I may have rolled on my left side, which I had pierced, quite a bit in my sleep but it has not yet gotten irritated. I'm hoping that if I continue to clean it with my anti-bacterial soap, polysporin and the occasional sea salt soaks it will heal fine within the next month or so.