One of the most common mistakes but adults and teens alike it getting their cartilage gunned. Boy, oh boy, am I glad I never made that mistake. I was about 13 years old and in Florida for a dance competition when I wanted to get my cartilage pierced for my birthday. When my mother offered to take me to some place that offered a free piercing with the purchase of a stud I declined and told her I wanted to be a "big girl" and go to an actual Tattoo/Piercing parlor to get it done. She agreed. So I delayed my experience and decided to wait until I went home to get pierced by Gash at his piercing parlor. He is a very well credited and experienced piercer.
At A Glance Author Ellie Contact VioletxBreeze@aol.com When Five years ago Artist Gash Studio Gashes Location Battle Creek, MI When we arrived my mother discussed her concerns with Gash. Good thing he knew what he was talking about when he said the needle is as quick and painless as the gun AND is much safer. When my mother asked what he was talking about he told her of the many cases of infection that occur with gun piercings along with the severe tissue damage. This made her feel much better about the whole thing.
When the discussion was finished he let me pick out the jewelry of my choice. I say this beautiful barbell with a dazzling aqua blue rhinestone in side of a flower shape as the front, and a plain silver ball backing. He took it into the back and put it inside his autoclave. He came up front and cleaned his tray, laid down paper towel, set out the packaged needle, and the other supplies needed for the procedure. He then called me to the chair. I sat down and he raised me to his level. He did a 30 swab with iodine after a cleaning of a cotton ball doused in alcohol. He took out his purple marker and dotted where I pointed for my piercing. Then came the clamp and to be totally honest the clamp hurt worse for me than the needle penetrating my cartilage. He asked me when I was ready and as I said ready I felt a slight sting and a little pressure. "The worst part is over now," he said. Then I felt a little bit more pressure, heard and felt him screw on the front part of my barbell and I was done. "That's it," he exclaimed. "That's it? Wow, that was nothing," I said. Gash just laughed. My only aftercare instructions were these:
1. Do NOT use any Bactine on the piercing. It will only increase your chances of infection.
2. Do NOT use anti-bacterial soap on your piercing.
3. Leave it alone. No touching unless your cleaning the piercing and your hands are clean.
4. Do sea salt soaks twice a day to clean your piercing. The solution is 8oz water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Use a saturated cotton ball on the piercing; re-dip when it gets cold. Do this for 10-15 minutes.
5. Unless you want unnecessary scar tissue. Do not change the jewelry until 12-14 weeks have passed.
For 16 weeks ( I decided to be extra careful) I followed my aftercare religiously. The healing process was perfect and I never touched my piercing except for when cleaning it with my hands being clean also. I was so touchy about not touching my piercing I probably would have made a "Do not touch my piercing" notice somewhere in my pocket for whenever someone asked to see my piercing. When my 16 weeks were over I went back to Gash for a check up on my piercing. It was healed and flawless. I was ecstatic.
For so long after I got my piercing I wouldn't wear my hair down, or if I did I would tuck my hair around that ear so all could see the work of art on my ear. I became such a ham with my piercing and rightfully so. I took excellent care of my modification. I loved the piercing I had and took great pride in it.
My mom was also surprised. It isn't too typical that a 13 year old will take such good care of their piercing. I know not too many of my friends did and they either regretted it or got very lucky. I'm glad I wasn't one of those kinds of people. Out of all of my friends I have the best cartilage piercing due to not getting it gunned or simply because I did my aftercare correctly. One of my friends who got gunned was actually very unfortunate and got her cartilage shattered. Go me!
It has been 5 years since that experience and I don't regret it in the least. This wonderful experience has made me go in for even more body mods by Gash.