Update - Cartilage Piercing

So, yesterday I went to the Tattoo and Piercing shop and the guy changed out my stud to a ring. Which helped a lot to help the damaged area and the simplicity of cleaning the area.

All piercing shops have different after care procedures. However, from what I have read and talk to different piercers(?), people who pierce ears at piercing shops.

This Must-Do list is mainly for me (so I don't forget) and for people who just got their cartilage pierced or people who are thinking about it and wondering how to care for it.

Now this list I know is good for cartilage piercing, but for other piercings I don't know. You should call your local piercing shop and ask them. You might want to ask around more than one to see. And call the best one in town.

The Must Do's to Help Clean the Newly Pierced Ear or any body part (I think this excludes regular ear piercings - bottom holes):

1.) Use fragrance free soap to clean out your ears while in the shower (or sink)

1a.) Or you can use a microbial soap (?) A piercer that I talked to recommended H2Ocean Blue Green Foam Soap (you can also use this on tattoos)

2.) Also use some sort of aftercare after washing with soap such as salt water soaks, which you can look up on how to do it or by H2Ocean's Piercing Aftercare Spray.

2a.) If you do use the Spray spray 2-3 times a day. Even though the package says 5-6 times a day, you don't want to dry out your pierced area. Just a simple spritz will do.

3.) DON'T move the earring around. Unlike regular piercings which they recommend you to move the earrings around cartilage piercings are different.

4.) Do not use any chemicals such as Bactine to clean it. It's harmful to the pierced area.

You can purchase the spray and soap at your nearest piercing and/or tattoo shop or you can go online to their website, http://www.h2oceanstore.com/ , and check it out.

I am going to buy the foam soap and try it out and write a review and see who it works. I have already bought the spray but since it's only 1.5 fl. oz. I'll have to buy another one. If you go online it's 4 oz. and I shall write a review on it too.

Also, redness, soreness, and pain will occur during the first few weeks. So, don't get freaked out! Cleaning the cartilage piercing is SIMPLE, don't overthink it.

The reasons why for the Don't stuff. I don't know. Call or google. If there are any mistakes or additions please add. In no way am I endorsing these products. I have just read and been told that these products are the best out there.

Suuurprise!

This past weekend was the 4th of July. I was going to go to Florida and hang out with relatives, spend some time in the water and sun, and go shopping. Plans got changed. So, this past weekend I spent everyday at a mall. I went to an outlet one day, then my hometown mall the next day, and the next day I went to an outlet and a mall. It was fun! I haven't had that much fun shopping in a while! Who knew that July 4th weekend can bring upon so much sales! Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister had ADDITIONAL 50% off on already marked items! I scored me some great jeans!

Anyways during the weekend I decided to get my ears pierced. I've always wanted to get a second piercing on my ear, but my mom never let me. And spontaneously I decided that I wanted my cartilage pierced too. So, the outlet I went to on the first day had a Claire's store. I never researched the pros and cons and how to's on cartilage piercings. I wish I had though. Apparently it's not advised to go to Claire's to go and get your cartilage pierced because it can hurt your ear in a way and it takes a much longer time period for the 'wound' or hole to heal. Then I began to read all these things people were posting - bad things. I got freaked out so, the next day I called the tattoo and piercing place and asked them if it was true. Yep. It. Is. So. Freaking. True.

I'm the type of person who doesn't want anything bad to happen to her body and I want to take care of it. So, today after work I'm going over there to let them check it out and get that salt spray that called H2O something something. Apparently it works - from what I've read. But hey the piercing looks sexy and cute on me so, I must take care of it.

Here's what I've read:

• The antiseptic that Claire's gives you doesn't help the 'wound'
• Always wash your hands prior to touching your ear or you WILL get an infection
• You should get your piercing done from a professional which is done by an actual needle and not a gun that Claire's use
• Claire's uses a gun and when it pierces through the cartilage area it will damage it
• Salt water soaks are much more effective cleaners or that H2O spray
• Make sure you don't get the side where you sleep the most pierced on (I'm a slide sleeper and I tend to turn on the left when I start to fall asleep but I got mine pierced on the left so, it's a bit difficult)

This is as much as I can remember it. If I am wrong or missed anything please feel free to add anything on the comment section. After going to the piercing shop I'll update this post from what I've learned and what they've told me. I want people who are getting there cartilage pierced to know the information beforehand unlike me. Now some of my friends got their cartilage piercings done at Claire's before and they still look fine, but I still want to be sure my piercing and my ear will not be in trouble.

I'm not sure if it's normal, but it's already been four days since I got it pierced and today I've been feeling some pain. Like from time to time I feel sharp pains. I don't know how to describe it right now *tip of the tongue phenomenon!* =.=