My left helix was my first piercing in over a year. Although it wasn't my first cartilage piercing (or even my first helix piercing), I was still a little nervous. Whereas most of my piercings were done for aesthetic reasons and because I enjoy the experience of being pierced, my left helix piercing was intended to symbolise my commitment to a 'left hand path' religion. I would probably have gotten it done without that reason, but it made it just a little more special for me.
At A Glance Author Simone Contact Simone@bme.anon IAM phoenixrisen When It just happened Artist Marcus Studio Holier Than Thou Location Manchester Because I hadn't been pierced for some time, I was somewhat hesitant and I was waiting for the mood to take me but I ended up in town, found out that I had money and decided to go for it. I've been to Holier Than Thou before but this was the first time that I noticed the thoroughness of the aftercare sheet and consent form. The aftercare sheet was detailed and easy to read at a glance; the consent form included questions about illnesses, skin conditions, medication and past piercings. For me, this says that the studio is committed to caring about its clients. In my experience, most places just ask for your date of birth and signature.
I was offered the choice between a ring and a bar; I chose a ring because I personally don't like the way that barbells look in helix piercings and I find it much easier to clean around a ring. I signed the form, as did Marcus (the piercer) and we went straight into the back room which was as spotless and neat as ever.
I sat on the bench while Marcus washed and dried his hands and donned a pair of sterile gloves. He asked me where I wanted the piercing. When I said that I wanted it in the same position as the one on my right ear, he was very careful to check that it was balanced. He checked it at least twice from the side and from the front before making the dot. He apologised for being pedantic, but I said that it was nothing to be sorry for (well, I would rather be pierced by a perfectionist than someone who didn't seem to care, wouldn't you?). When I had approved it, he opened a fresh needle packet.
I said that it wasn't necessary to tell me when he was going to push the needle through. I've heard that some people like to know, but I'd rather not. I'm not one for calming strategies or pain management techniques but the advice that Marcus gave me was to take a deep breath beforehand and let it out as the needle goes through. Maybe that could be something to bear in mind if you're nervous about the pain and your piercer doesn't offer any tips on how to deal with it.
The piercing was done so quickly that I didn't really have the time or the need to prepare myself. The pain only lasted for a second and was no worse than a standard earlobe piercing. I thought that it would hurt more due to my lack of adrenaline (I wasn't fired up at all) but I was wrong. Marcus warned me that I might feel a pinch as he was about to fit the jewellery, but it was virtually painless. It hardly bled, which is apparently unusual for a cartilage piercing (for the record, my first helix piercing did bleed). I paid at the counter and left a tip.
My ear wasn't throbbing or achy afterwards. It just felt warm. I checked it in a mirror about fifteen minutes later and it was a little red but not bleeding at all. A few hours later there was a tiny bit of blood but no pain or hotness. Within the same day, it was already so unnoticeable (in terms of feeling) that I was worried I might be careless and catch it by accident. Here's to another few months of salt soaks and strategic sleeping positions! (The healing time for an ear cartilage piercing is six months to one year according to the aftercare sheet and most other things that I've read, but my piercings tend to heal very quickly. Everyone is different. If in doubt, stick to what your piercer tells you just to be on the safe side.)
If you are in the Manchester area and looking for a good piercing studio I would definitely recommend Holier Than Thou. If you're not a first-time piercee, they will give you the information that they're required to give you (about aftercare and so on) without overdoing it and without being patronising. If it is your first piercing, I would imagine that they would be very helpful. This is the second piercing that Marcus has done for me (he also fixed my nostril piercing when it went wrong) and he has been very friendly, efficient and understanding each time. I am planning a tattoo and would have loved to get it done at Holier Than Thou if the Manchester branch offered tattooing.