At A Glance
Author	Addy
Contact	Addy@bme.anon
When	Two years ago
Artist	Emily
Studio	Straight To The Point II
Location	Troutdale, Oregon

I began my foray into the world of body modification through cartilage piercings at the age of 15. Before making the leap to cartilage, I had two earlobe lobe piercings that I wore standard earrings in. I had been looking around the Internet at pictures for some time, (this was before I discovered BME) but it still surprised my conservative
parents when I asked for a piercing for my 15th birthday. I decided on the tragus piercing because it seemed to give purpose to the otherwise inert flap of cartilage, as well as being rather subtle visually and a good first step in my anticipated ear project.

It took me almost two months to convince them to let me get it done, and I went to the nearest piercing shop, Straight To The Point II in Troutdale, Oregon, about twenty minutes away from where I live.

From the moment I walked into the shop I was extremely nervous, as I had heard the tragus was the most painful piercing, but I figured I might as well get it out of the way first. I barely waited two minutes before the lady behind the counter, apparently an apprentice, asked me what I would like and then helped me fill out the paperwork, checked my dad's ID and let the piercer know I was there. She also checked to make sure that I had eaten before I came in, and there is even a check box on their forms asking if you have eaten in the past 4 hours!

I did not have to wait at all after I had the paperwork filled out, because they already had the proper jewelry autoclaved. Emily, the piercer, was heavily pierced and tattooed as well very comforting and reassuring. As soon as I entered the piercing room, which was as clean as a dentist's office, I became calm and excited, an odd combination of emotions that resulted from really wanting the piercing and having waited for several months.

My dad sat down and made small talk with the piercer while she put on gloves, opened the bag with the needle and clamp, changed her gloves, got out a q-tip and ink for marking and that weird lube stuff and changed her gloves again. I was starting to get nervous again, looking around at the rest of the shop through the glass walls of the piercing room and making nervous eye contact with the apprentice whom was watching the procedure.

After an eternity of prep-work she talked me through every step of the process, first letting me know that at STTP they do most piercings with Tygon and told me all of the benefits of having a healing piercing with Tygon, including its flexibility, anti-microbial properties and very low allergy rates. This was extremely encouraging because I had read that cartilage piercings take a very long time to heal, in comparison to lobe piercings. She then marked my tragus and had me okay it, because it was exactly where I wanted it on the first try. She then clamped my tragus and had me turn my head away from her so she could access the tiny flap of cartilage more easily. She had me inhale and exhale slowly and she pierced midway through my exhalation.

It was the weirdest sound I have ever heard. It wasn't exactly a popping or crunching sound, but I could hear the needle going through every layer of skin and cartilage in a split second. The pain was not nearly as bad as I had expected it to be. It was about equivalent to biting your tongue, just on my ear. Threading the Tygon through and cutting off to the correct length, enough to allow swelling, was actually the most painful part, because of the motion of the Tygon in the fresh wound. It was all over very quickly, as she adeptly screwed the front ball on and sprayed my ear mercifully with H2Ocean.

She gave me very thorough aftercare instructions, as well as a brochure with cartilage specific information circled and a large bottle of H2Ocean. The cost of everything was only $50, including free Tygon changes for life and the promise that if anything went wrong I could call or come in free of charge.

As soon as I got home I took 2 Ibuprofen and noticed almost no swelling and very little soreness. The aftercare was simple, and I executed it meticulously until I ran out of H2Ocean. I sprayed it three times a day, once when I got up, once in the afternoon, and once before bed, as well as cleaning it with a Q-tip for any crusties or puss after spraying it. It was only sore for the first couple of days, and I was able to sleep on it without discomfort within a month.

I have since gone in to have the Tygon changed several times, and every time I go in they are very friendly and let me know how it is healing. It is fully healed and gorgeous now after almost two years, and I have ordered a titanium barbell that they have assured me they will autoclave and put in free of charge!

In summation, if you have considered this piercing, don't let the rumors of pain scare you away, the results and satisfaction are well worth any discomfort or soreness.