First time piercing

Mint Sauce

Well not quite, but first since a teenager (a long time ago)

Basically been thinking of getting the Helix/Cartilage on my ear pierced for some time and just looking for some advice. Used to have my lobe pierced when i was about 16 or 17, only lasted a couple of months when didn't heal properly. Was done using a gun in a well known accessories shop window, so already know to go a piercing/tattoo artist if getting done again. Also at the time i was taking it out temporally for a couple of hours at time for job interviews and the like, which definalty dont think helped it.

The interview thing kinda brings me on to my first question, can you use a retainer for a new ear piercing during the healing process if concerned how a piercing might be looked on in work/interview situations, and how discret are they. After the healing process and when not in certain situations would go for either a ring or a stud

Anything else i should consider apart for the choice of method and the after care. Some of which i have already been reading.

Apolagies for such a newbe question but thought you might be the best guys to ask.

Atavan-Halen

I can't think if which or maybe it's neither, but you can use either PTFE or Biolplast retainers in a new piercing but don't quote me on that as I'm not 100% sure. You could get it pierced with a small barbell if you wanted to either. A piercer will tell you for definite and give you some advice. They're discreet enough piercings and fairly accepted but it may depend on the job you're going for and what their policy on piercings is.

Nothing really else to consider, just follow the aftercare and you should have no problems. And just make sure it's done in a reputable studio

unknown13

I personally think you should go for a small barbell with clear plastic ball. It will be as discreet as possible.

tattooking

Make sure they have their proper and up to date certificates as well.

Star Lord

tattooking wrote: »

Make sure they have their proper and up to date certificates as well.

And what certificates would that be then?

tattooking

blood bourne pathogens would be a good start, using an artist that takes the proper safety precautions is MUST. Sterilization and other things like knowing how to protect yourself and your client is absolute safety factor and a must as far as I am concerned and most license boards are as well, with piercing or tattooing. Be safe!

Star Lord

The sad thing is that as the industry is not regulated, there's nobody that ensures that tattoo artists or piercers have these kind of certificates.

Pierced Off

tattooking wrote: »

blood bourne pathogens would be a good start, using an artist that takes the proper safety precautions is MUST. Sterilization and other things like knowing how to protect yourself and your client is absolute safety factor and a must as far as I am concerned and most license boards are as well, with piercing or tattooing. Be safe!

If only. I did all my training in the UK. I'm registered vith various Councils over there (you must be registered to pierce ears, not any other part) and I may as well use the certificates as toilet paper. Same old argument re Ireland, the Dark Ages and Body Mods......maybe one day!

W.S.C FOSTER

I have the cartilage on my right ear pierced. it is apparantly the most awkward piercing for healing and it may never heal, I have mine six months- guess what, still has'nt healed fully. I originall y had a stud which swelled and had to be removed with a plyers, now I have a ring. Do think about it a bit before getting it done, it looks good, but I don't know if its really worth the hassle.

Inmyownworld

I've had the cartilage done on my ear since I was about 13 or so. And I just got it done in a regular accessories shop and never had any problem with it. I've found that piercings in either your lobe or cartilage are ok to get done in shops like that, any others I have gotten done I have gone to a proper piercing place.
However, to be safe and if you're worried about it then its best to go to a specialist. I just got a stud in mine however, a barbell might be better.
It is quite a discreet piercing so shouldn't pose a problem for interviews and the likes. And as far as I remember I think it only took 2weeks or so and you were able to change the stud in it so it would be possible to put in a less noticeable one after that length of time, just make sure you disinfect it before hand!

Atavan-Halen

Inmyownworld wrote: »

I've had the cartilage done on my ear since I was about 13 or so. And I just got it done in a regular accessories shop and never had any problem with it. I've found that piercings in either your lobe or cartilage are ok to get done in shops like that, any others I have gotten done I have gone to a proper piercing place.
However, to be safe and if you're worried about it then its best to go to a specialist. I just got a stud in mine however, a barbell might be better.
It is quite a discreet piercing so shouldn't pose a problem for interviews and the likes. And as far as I remember I think it only took 2weeks or so and you were able to change the stud in it so it would be possible to put in a less noticeable one after that length of time, just make sure you disinfect it before hand!

Piercing guns used in the likes of claires or anything aren't safe or ok to use for piercing anything.

1. They cannot be autoclaved so that means there's a much much grater risk of catching any sort of infection.

2. The studs used in them are blunt compared to a proper piercing needle. They effectively force this stud into your ear as opposed to making a nice clean incision with a needle. This causes un-necessary trauma to your ear.

3. Using them in cartilage piercings (i.e top of the ear) can cause the cartilage to shatter, resulting in a collapsed ear which is really not nice.

Also cartilage takes anywhere from 6 months to a year to fully heal so taking it out after 2 weeks is really not advisable unless you want an irritated or swollen ear or an infection.

Inmyownworld

I was just giving my personal experience with it, I did say to be safe it's better to go to a specialist. I didn't have a problem with mine and don't know anyone personally who got theirs done like me that did have a problem, but it really is better to go to a proper place.
I know of people who got their nose done with a gun like they use in Claire's and those places which would be terrible, deffinatley a bad idea!

Atavan-Halen

Oh I know and I got my ears gunned years ago before I knew the dangers too. But what works/doesn't work for one person mightn't be the same for another.

unknown13

Who ever uses a piercing gun to pierce cartilage should be arrested for GBH.

Star Lord

Chances are when using a gun to pierce cartilage, it's not piercing it, but breaking or shattering the cartilage. The Joy of blunt force eh?