After years of having one interesting cartilage ear piercing in each ear (rook and tragus), I realized something was missing. And after adding another one to the left ear (anti-helix), the right one was up for some pain. After browsing through tons of photos on bme and other sites, I narrowed my choices down to a few favorites. After 2 months of debate, the anti-tragus won my approval. The first time I saw the piercing done, I did not like it one bit. Then after some nicely placed photos on bme, I realized its beauty. Once I decided on the piercing, I knew the shop I would once again visit (I love that place so much).
At A Glance Author Chloe Contact Chloe@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Amanda Studio Bear's Skin Art Location Edmonton So after saving a little money, before blowing it yet again on piercing, I am supposed to be saving money, but oh how the piercing are so very worth it. I at last, made the appointment. All day I was a little scared, everyone I ran into at my work (selling body jewellery) told me how much it hurt and about how many of their friends passed out and such. Usually this kind of talk just gets the nerves going enough for a little bit of adrenaline. That day however, I was buzzing with anxiety. So after work I headed off to Bear's.
Entering the studio, I was quickly greeted by my piercer and started filling out forms. Soon I was whisked off into the room. As usual we started chatting and discussing what else I could add to the ears to make it 3 cartilage piercings per ear. I told her the new anti-tragus would be placed on the right ear as to mirror the rook. She began marking and holding jewellery up to my ear so I would be happy with the placing. This was the first studio that asked me if the placement was good before poking it.
Once the placement was perfect, I knew it was time to breathe deep. The nerves were frying like eggs on a hot sideway in summer. I felt the light needle end and then yipes, the needle shoving through. I would have rated the actually needle going through, the most painful part of any of my 20 previous piercings. The jewellery slid in without pain and putting the bead on did not hurt either. However the piercing bleed quit a bit (normally I never bleed). The bleeding I was told was caused by over gauging to do the piercing. I do not think any of my other cartilage piercings had that done, since they seemed to hurt longer. Whereas this one was instant, intense pain. My stomach actually did a little jump (like on the rides) and I felt a wee bit dizzy afterwards. But after half an hour the pain had completely gone. It did not get the usual warm burning sensation that most piercings get. I forgot I even had a piercing, except for bumping it. I could even sleep on it that night.
Now about a month later, I love the little guy. It has healed really well so far. I love showing it off to everyone who comes into my shop. They always ask how much it hurt. It must make my right ear look tough. Grrar, scary! I would recommend finding a really good piercer to do this cartilage procedure. Since I could see how poorly this poking could go. My right ear also tends to heal faster than the left. I think sleeping on it versus not makes all the difference. Also my body tends to heal better with pears like soap than with saline or sea salt. The crustiness was barely there; as well the swelling went down fast. I used anti-inflammatory painkillers to reduce the initial massive swelling.
It now can fall to either side, but usually still is upright due to the depth it was pierced at. I can't wait to be able to change the jewellery to some black circular barbells and steel barbells. I an excited for when all the cartilage piercings can match. I will need to heal up fast to wear them. And the best part is, that I don't see anti-traguses walking around everywhere in Edmonton. I feel slightly unique even. I am sure the rest of the healing process will go very well. And now I cannot wait to get a snug done next to it. I just need to find something to put on the other ear, time to do some research on bmezine. Really ready these stories and seeing the photos has been my best resource for learning what would suit me best. Soon I will have to put some photos on here for everyone to see. Once I get some digital camera-ness set up, oh the fun I will have. I love my anti-tragus. I think it has also been my favourite painful pleasure.