Q&A for How to Pierce Your Own Cartilage

Yes, it does because it is sterilized and designed for the piercing.

Yes, that is the cartilage popping.

It's not likely to, but it all depends. You might not want to use a sewing needle as its not the right size and a hollow one has a place to put the piercing to get it safely in your ear unlike a normal needle. You can purchase a hollow needle online or at your local piercing shop depending where you live.

No, you should never shove an earring through an ear without piercing it, as this will cause damage.

Piercing your own will hurt more as a professional knows what to do and can do it quickly.

Do not use a sewing needle! It puts you at a higher risk for infection. Please just use a piercing needle.

No. There's the possibility of your cartilage shattering because the gun puts so much more pressure on your cartilage; the needle is more safe.

It's best if you use a hollow needle. You technically could use a regular needle, but it may be more painful and there's a greater potential for damaging your cartilage. Investing in a hollow needle is better.

You can find them online from reputable sellers. You can usually find packs of needles of different sizes to accommodate your piercing.

Pain is normal the day after piercing. Keep the site clean and use over the counter pain medication to minimize pain.

No. If you take the earrings out before the cartilage heals, you risk the holes closing up or getting infected. Leave the earrings in the cartilage until it heals completely. Once it heals, you can switch them out for new ones.

For your own safety, get a hollow piercing needle. It will allow the earring to slide in the needle and into your ear. This prevents the hole from closing as soon as you take out the regular needle.

No. Earrings are not as sharp as a piercing needle and most likely won't go all the way through. If you do, it probably won't work and will be more painful.

I would say about 4-5, but I have high tolerance to pain.

Place your hair over it, or put a retainer in it instead of jewelry as it heals.

Definitely go see a doctor. Clean it 2-3 times a day to keep it from getting infected.

Yes, because she has put you at a higher risk of infection, and you are not supposed to push it through the ear. Sewing needles are not safe to use. Check with a doctor to see if it is okay.

Use ear care solution. Don't use peroxide or alcohol, as it'll dry out the piercing, and the hole will close.

It depends on your earring size. You should get a needle that is one size bigger than your earring. So, whatever your earring size is, plus 1.

No. You could use a regular needle, but it's best to use a hollow needle to slip the earring in easier.

Yes, you can go and do everything you normally do before the piercing. However, the beach is full of sand and saltwater that will not feel good in your new piercing, so it is best avoided. If you do go, be sure to thoroughly clean the wound as soon as you leave.

You can, but a hollow needle is suggested as the piercing will hurt less and allows passage for an earring. A hollow needle removes the skin it collects inside, so the earring fits, while a sewing needle only pushes the skin outward.

I don't recommend it, as doing so will make you more at risk of infection, and it will hurt a lot more, but I suppose if you have a high pain tolerance and you're really careful with it you could do it.

No, you need to get a sterile, hallow piercing needle. You should consider getting a professional to pierce your cartilage.

Use a horseshoe or captive ring, unless you want your skin (which will swell afterwards) to cover your jewelry. Don't use a stud.

Definitely not. Appropriate gauge size for cartilage is key. I would invest in a 14g or 16g earring and needle.

No, use sea salt or Epsom salt only. Iodine salt slows the healing process.

Silver tarnishes, particularly from contact with water, which is bad because your piercing will get wet while it heals. This can cause discoloration and infection.

It all depends on the placement in the front. Usually parallel to the mark you made in front. If it's off a little bit it might not make a big difference, but it can make changing jewelry a hassle.

You should put the needle straight through, just like if you were piercing your earlobes.