"Something I don't regret doing at all! I love it :)"
How I did it: Well, you'll first need guts. I'll admit, I was nervous on the way and walking into the piercing shop. I just breathed, calmed myself. Your piercer shouldn't mind answering all your questions, because they want to make sure you get the best piercing experience with confidence.
I've wanted this piercing done for well over a year now.. and I finally got to 3 days ago. I brought my boyfriend, so it could be a bit more meaningful (haha), especially since it was my first cartilage piercing. I just filled out a form and they photocopied my license. The piercing itself was literally a couple of seconds. I heard the "crunch" sound everyone's talking about, and I definitely felt the needle go in. But it wasn't the most excruciating pain, it's all bearable. I bled a bit, but as my piercer said, "that's what happens when you make holes in your body!" Soreness proceeded after the piercing, but it's been clean and looks great anyhow.
Lessons & tips: Clean, clean, clean. And DON'T touch/play with it. If you're busy with work, school and you're booked all the time, and can't fit in at least 10 minutes total in a day to clean, then you shouldn't get this done. Use dial antibacterial soap (I use the foam one for easier clean), and have lots of Q-tips handy. I personally go through about 4 Q-tips each time I clean. Also, I put about a drop or two of tea tree oil just in case I get a keloid.. And clean gently. Don't smother it all over the piercing, since it's sensitive, it could cause bleeding if done roughly.
Also, sea salt soaking should be done at least once a day. This is where you take a little bit of sea salt (bought at your local grocery store), and put enough warm water.. after the salt's dissolved, taste it, and make sure it's not any saltier than a potato chip. If it's too salty, then it could cause pain and burning sensations when you put it against your piercing. Make sure you do this in a disposable or a super clean cup. Take a cotton ball, soak it, and place against the piercing. keep it there for at least 5 minutes.
You basically need to get OCD about keeping a tragus piercing clean.
Resources: I bought the sea salt for 99 cents over at the Fresh Market. I went to The Body Shop and got this small, green glass bottle of Tea Tree Oil (it has this minty fragrance), and I use Dial Antibacterial Foam Soap. Tons of Q-Tips. My piercer recommended to buy H2Ocean (it's this cleaning solution) but i haven't bought it yet. We'll see if I have any problems.. and I haven't had any problems thus far!
Sep 29, 2008, 10:07AM PDT
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