After having the simple earring piercing on my lobes forever and getting a second hole in each about a year ago, I decided I really wanted to get my cartilage done. (As a quick side note, I highly recommend NOT getting the piecing done with a piercing gun, especially at a random mall booth. When I got my second holes, I have no clue what the woman did with the one in my right ear. The angle was so inaccurate that after I could change jewelry in that hole, I couldn't find the back. After painfully trying to make a new piercing myself several times in that ear, I decided it wasn't worth it. Moral: go with the needle. It's much more sterile and accurate. Those mall people don't know what they're doing.)
At A Glance Author Lauren Contact Lauren@bme.anon When It just happened Artist some really nice guy Studio www.hotrodpiercingcompany.com (the one in the South Side) Location Pittsburgh, PA About a year ago I noticed a really interesting piercing. It consisted of a spiral that went through two holes in the helix of the ear (16g). Since I wanted something different but small (since I'm going to be teaching one day) I decided to look into it. No matter where I went, no one had this piercing. Some people were extremely rude about it as well—while Southside Tattoos is apparently a good place to go for a tattoo (that's where my boyfriend went), one of older female workers was extremely rude about how specific I was when looking for a 16 gauge, 2 hole spiral for my ear. Hey, it's my body, can't I be specific on what I want on it?! I kept my temper in the store and silently decided that I would definitely not be going there for my piercing. After going to about three or so other places, I decided that no one had this particular piercing. The closest I came was much too big and had to go through way too many holes. After using my mad internet skills, I finally found the piercing I wanted online at bodyartforms. A great site—my order was shipped quickly and the spiral was under $5. I was skeptical at first on how it would look, but this coil/corkscrew/spiral was PERFECT for my taste. A bit long and the holes where far apart when I got it, but it was easy to bend the metal and get it to the perfect length.
Now to find the place.
When I looked into the piercing places in Pittsburgh before when looking for my specific piece of jewelry, I stumbled upon the Hot Rod Body Piercing shop in the Southside (right next to the culture shop!). The people there are extremely nice, professional, and know what they're doing (yay!). Although they didn't find the piercing, they were extremely helpful in my search.
Once I got the piercing in the mail, I went to Hot Rod as soon as I could. I believe I talked to the manager when I got there with my friend for support. The business has been there for over 15 years for good reason. After going through how to clean my piercing, paying, and signing forms, it was time for my new piercing. Getting two piercings was a little pricy, but it was because they have good quality jewelry (surgical steel; doesn't irritate and you don't have to move the piercing around everyday once it's in since it won't "stick" like the other stuff.)
I knew that I wouldn't be able to wear the spiral anytime soon—I figured they'd give me two standard earrings and I'd put in the spiral after my piercing heals in 6 months. I was right. They recommended a standard captive hoop, which turned out to look awesome in the long run.
I sat down with my supportive friend there beside me and they measured the holes. What I really like is how much time the guy took when making the marks on my ears. He took a measurement where the spiral was and lined it up perfectly with my ear. Then the pain.
Not really—no blood, but it was certainly a rush. Getting two piercings in the same ear on the same day is interesting! As soon as one is done, you started thinking, "Finally, it's over...oh, wait...<profanity>..." These guys did a great job and it didn't take that long at all. I was able to walk to the Southside and back in less than 2 hours (with time to stop for lunch). No swelling at all and the redness is almost gone after 8 hours. It's now only tender if I touch it or bump it.
I really can't wait to go back in 6 months and have them help me put in the spiral for the first time. They did such a nice job that it influenced my supportive friend that came with me to possibly get a piercing from them next week. I highly suggest going to Hot Rod if you are in the Pittsburgh area. Google them and check out their website as well.