Q&A for How to Pierce Your Own Cartilage

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Question

Does using a hollow needle put you at less of a risk for infection?

Jeff Gabriel

Community Answer

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

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Question

Is it normal to feel popping when the needle is going through the cartilage?

Community Answer

Yes, that is the cartilage popping.

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Question

Can using a regular sewing needle shatter the cartilage if the earring that will be used is larger than the needle?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I just push the earring through my friend's ear?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Does it hurt more if you pierce your own ear or if a professional does it?

Jeff Gabriel

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can you use a sewing needle?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can you use a piercing gun?

Vanessa Awuve

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Do you have to use a hollow needle or can you use a regular needle?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Where can I get a hollow needle?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Should it hurt the day after?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Is it possible to switch earrings in the piercing before it heals?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I use a regular needle like a sewing needle, or do I have to get a hollow needle?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I just use an earring?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How painful is it on a scale from 1-10?

Jeff Gabriel

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I hide the new piercing from work colleagues?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What my ear gets infected?

Community Answer

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

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Question

My friend pierced my lobe with a sewing needle and then pushed the earring through. It's a little swollen and bruised 2 days after. Is that bad?

Jeff Gabriel

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What can I use to clean my cartilage piercing?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What size of needle should I use?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Does a hollow needle have to be used?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I go to the beach with my piercing?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I just use sewing needles?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I do more than one cartilage piercing on an ear at once?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can I use a safety pin?

Community Answer

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

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Question

What kind of earring should I use for a cartilage piercing?

Community Answer

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

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Question

I have a piercing earring, can I use that?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I use iodine salt?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Why can't I use silver?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Where do I want it to come out in the back?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Do you put the needle in diagonally?

Community Answer

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

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