A few years ago I was really into piercings. I was not sure what I wanted to do with my body, and I knew that at the moment I wanted it to be temporary. What could be better than a piercing? I mean, if they had like two year temporary tattoos, I would be first in line, but they do not. So, I stuck with what I knew. I had already had several done, so I really was not scared about this one. It was kind of on the spur of the moment, but on the way back up to college one night I stopped by the piercing place. I went with my boyfriend at the time who REALLY hated needles. I think it had something to do with a traumatic trip to the doctor...I'm not sure though. He didn't go back with me, but that's ok, I was brave anyways! Since I knew that everyone had to learn, I went back and agreed to allow an apprentice to practice on me. I have a tiny little tragus, so I figured that it would be good practice for her.
At A Glance Author Alexis Contact Alexis@bme.anon When Two years ago Studio Inklinks Location Gastonia, NC She was pierced all over with pink hair. Her ears were gauged out, and she had a talon in her labret piercing. It was so funny because she was really nervous. My boyfriend and I kept wondering if she was going to sneeze and pierce me with her talon. Her mentor came in and showed her how to perform the procedure. He layed out the paper towel, along with a drop of purple ink, a couple of toothpicks, a 14 gauge needle and a CBC ball and ring. Gloves and face masks were also involved. They both washed their hands up to the elbow and used a FRESH needle. If ever you see someone using a used needle, RUN. I don't care how well that thing was sterilized, they could be lying and you end up with Hep C for a stupid ear piercing. Always watch them take it out of the package. If you ask them to, most reputable piercers will comply.
She went along with medical asepsis and we were ready to pierce. She dotted my ear with purple ink and a toothpick and I agreed on the placement. She came at me with a 14 gauge needle and a stopper behind my ear.
She pushed it through, but apparently she had never worked with cartilage before. She got it about halfway though, and looked. Of course, it was not done because she had not pushed hard enough. At that point, she held my ear and watched it come through the back.
To be honest, it did not hurt that much. It felt like a really heavy pressure on my inner ear. It was uncomfortable, but one of the easiest piercings I have ever had done. Had she been experienced, it would have been absolutely seamless.
Finally the piercing itself was over. Now, she just had to get the CBC ring closed. She stuck it through my ear and twisted it into a circle. Now a lot of people don't understand how you get the bar in after the needle. Let me explain. The needle is actually hollow. You can stick the very end of the bar in the hollow part of the needle, so that they are almost one in the same. You push both at the same time, and Ta-Da! You have your brand new piercing. She used the hemostats to get the ball in, but it was being stubborn. Honestly, she was really new so I think that she was shaking. I kept on reassuring her that it did not hurt, and she was doing a fine job, but she ended up calling the manager for help. I had known him from several previous piercings, and he got the ball put in in a jiffy. Then I was out the door.
Later I cleaned it, which was honestly pretty easy. A Q-Tip and piercing cleanser worked just fine. The way you clean it is to swab the ring with the cleanser, then twist the ring around. You have to be really careful because sometimes there are crusties which can go into your new piercing, and that kinda hurts. To prevent that, just swab the places that the bar touches your ear really well. Be careful not to clean too much or else you will wear out your skin and make a sore. That is not good.
I could sleep on it that night, and it never bothered me again. I would highly suggest this piercing. Overall, my experience with this piercing was a very good one. I think that piercings are a wonderful way to express yourself without committing an entire section of your body to color. I wish you all the best of luck. Happy piercing!