I got my ear re re re pierced in the cartillage last night.  Yeah, I believe this is my fourth time.  Every time I got it done in the past, it either got infected or I was instructed to remove it during assignments when I used to model, so it would always close. Anyway, I went to the mall to get my ear pierced as I'd done several times in the past and was told that they aren't permitted to pierce the cartillage at shopping malls in Kansas, it's against the law. I only moved here a year ago so, I was VERY surprised seeing that it's such a minor thing.  They recommeded that I go to a tatoo parlor, another surprise.  I wasn't looking forward to my tatoo parlor visit but I really wanted a new piercing so I decided what the heck.  

I went to the parlor and it was just as I expected... grimy looking guys with tatoos all over the place.  (I actually have a tiny tatoo on my wrist, but it was done in a parlor owned by a woman w/female artists so, it was still a really different environment than this) I felt a bit uneasy but in the end was actually, pleasantly surprised.  All of the guys had certifications displayed on the wall, they were all very knowledgeable about the whole process and took their work very seriously, they were even able to explain the reasoning for the Kansas ear piercing law.  Although, they were very tough looking, grimy (looking) guys, they were great and personable, it was pleasant.

The mall is a more fru fru place to get a piercing but, I was much more impressed with my tatoo parlor piercing experience and it was even less painful.  Apparently, because at the parlor, they use a needle that is much sharper than the one in the mall gun so it goes through a lot smoother and without "crushing" the cartillage. Who knew???

I have a cartillage piercing, too.  I first had it done by Merle Normans-with a regular gun and the stud was sharp like an arrow.  I couldn't sleep so I eventually took it out.  I decided to have it redone at the piercing place where I got my other piercings:nostril, navel and upper lip (Monroe).  Turns out they only had to restretch the hole 'cause it didn't close completely.  I had them put in a captive bead ring and I love it.  I can sleep on it and it never bothers me!!
I would send anyone to a licensed piercing place-especially if that's their speciality.
I get tattooed at places that only specialize in tattooing.

Do they have you soaking it with warm salt water?

I just noticed that the spray is Purified Ocean Salt water, it's called H2Ocean and theres a picture of Zeus on the front.  So, I'm not soaking in salt water but I am spraying it.

ooowww, all those piercings hurt just thinking about them!   I got my ears pierced by my college roommate back in 1965.   One of my children ripped one down as an infant (stupid me, wearing large loops).  Last year I finally decided to even them up (after thirty some odd years of being crooked) and got a second piercing in the lop-sided ear.  I went to the mall.  Now I have two holes in one ear (I wear a little diamond stud in the lower one) and just one in the other.

Yes, you read correctly.  Is that what you had to do or does that seem extensive? 

I've found that a piercing in the lobe is more painful than in the cartillage, maybe it's just me.  I have my navel pierced also, and that didn't hurt at all until a few hours after having it done and then boy was it painful.  I wanted to go out later that evening to show it off but, I couldn't even bend over to fasten my shoes!!  Otherwise, I have a high tolerance for pain too which is amazing, because I used to be the complete opposite.

I have 2 holes in each lobe and 1 in the cartillage.  I think I want one more cartillage piercing so I can wear a stud and a hoop at the same time.

Right now, I only have one tiny tatoo of the sun on the inside of my wrist which is about the size of a quarter.  I keep going back and forth as to wether or not I want another one, I'm still undecided.  If I get another it'll most likely be a fairy or my husbands name, he'd really like that.

 

Good for you for making the right decision of going to a tattoo parlor for your piercing.  Those "grimy" tattooed guys aren't as bad as you think, most of them are the most respectful and artful people you could ever hope to meet.  They are also very dedicated to their professions and doing them correctly, as opposed to going to a shopping mall.  As far as I know, there is no way to sterilize the piercing guns that are used at the mall, they can be wiped down with alcohol or whatever, but they can't be autoclaved which is the only real way to sterilize.  Many nasty things are spread through those things, steer clear at any cost!

Sakina, I love the Monroe piercing, I think it is so pretty & sexy too.

I myself have about 15 or 16, I can't remember exactly without counting.    I will agree that the most painful was the nose, I was stunning, literally.  Natural reaction was to pull away when feeling the pinch, it was wierd.  If I didn't do what I do for a living & have to look somewhat respectable ( ) I would have my septum pierced too, I've wanted that done for years, but I don't foresee that going over too well with my line of work.  It shouldn't matter, but it does.