I've always been different than how my family and friends perceive me. I think tattoos and piercings are so beautiful and wonderful but my parents definitely do not agree. I have had my cartilage pierced twice but only to be told to have it taken out. When I found this website it was like I could explore and not be judged by them.
At A Glance Author Alison When A week ago Studio 217 Tattoo Co. I've know for probably two years that I wanted to get my tragus pierced. It was only a matter of when I could get it done. If I would need their consent or just wait until I turn eighteen then do it myself. As it turns out, I didn't end up having to wait! I was planning on getting my nose pierced (somehow I talked them into that because i was too much of a baby to ask them about my tragus) for my sixteenth birthday because I already have a car so it would've been a milestone birthday with no big present. One night after one of my softball games, my dad and I went out to eat and I brought up the idea of getting it pierced with him calmly and rationally, knowing he is the one that I would most likely get my way with. He said he would much prefer if I got my tragus pierced because it was not on my face. One down, one to go! The next night we were sitting with my mom and he brought it up very casually "Ali, wouldn't you rather get something done to your ear rather than your face? " Smooth right? Well, long story short mom said yes!
The next step was when. As it being planned as a birthday present it took a lot of convincing to get them to let me do it earlier. I play softball so the sooner I could get it done, the sooner it would heal. I ended up getting it done last Wednesday. One of the popular tattoo//piercing parlors around where I live is "Altered Egos" which recently changed it's name to 217 Tattoo Co. and that's where I decided to go after hearing nothing but positive things and that's where one of my friends got her cartilage pierced and said they were great. The trip there was an experience. We had to park in a community lot because the parlor is on campus with very limited parking. After walking around for what seemed like forever, I was so excited time seemed to go soooo slow, we found it! We walked in and there was quite a line but it was for tattoos. I filled out the usual paperwork and sat and waited. When it was my turn i went into the room and sat down on a high-backed very straight back ed chair and talked to the piercer for a while. I made sure to ask questions because he was not very informative. I asked what it would be pierced with, what gauge, healing time, cleaning, etc. I was really disappointed when I didn't get to choose my jewelery but soon got over it when I realized this was really happening! I sat in anticipation as he marked my ear and put on the clamps. As soon as I felt the clamps go on I shut my eyes (I'm a huge needle-phobe) knowing what would happen next. I started to chicken out. Wanting to cancel the entire thing I was thinking "I can still get out of this" when he told me to take a deep breath in, then out. Another. And another. He said he wasn't going to do it until he felt I was ready. I really appreciated that. He said to take one more and hold, then I guess he put the needle in as I felt a kind of burning sensation in my ear. It really didn't hurt it was the noise that was the worst! After reading these stories I knew there was a c hance of hearing it but it was horrid! Thinking back on it, it makes me want to vomit. Then he said I was done and I didn't even realize it was over! He told me I was the calmest he has ever done for a tragus! That really surprised me. As I was leaving he told me I could come back in a he'd change it for me for free in two weeks. My parents paid fifty dollars (it was forty but we gave him ten for a tip) and we were out of there.
Now, five days later, I love it! I probably touch it more than I should but I can't help it! I need to stop actually but it's hard when it's so beautiful! It's the best decision I've ever made. It's still a little sore when I accidentally bump it or something but other than that it's great! I love it and would do it again in a heartbeat. I clean it twice a day with saline solution and that's it! I try hard not to sleep on it and watch carefully when I'm brushing my hair. I can't wait to be able to change it. The only thing I'm upset about is that I can't wear my headphones. :[ I recommend this piercing for anyone who's looking for something different but not too extreme!