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Original poster

Cartilage/helix piercing with a gun

82 replies

bigdecsions · 19/11/2019 11:10

Hi everyone,
I've decided I'm going to get my cartilage pierced this week. I've wanted it done since I was a teenager but never did, now I'm 33 I'm getting it done. I'm a big whuss really (even though I've pushed out 4dc it it's no pain relief ). I've read most people recommend a needle for piercing. I don't even know this. So I've now watched YouTube videos on this procedure and I'm scared lol. At the same time I've read a lot of people have used guns and been fine.
What does everyone think? Any recommendations? Ideally I'd love a gun as I know it's over in seconds.
Thanks

OP posts:
Marellaspirit · 19/11/2019 13:58

Absolutely do not get it done with a gun, for one thing they are not sterile so you're potentially being exposed to microscopic bits of other people's blood, but also the jewellery they use is blunter than a needle so causes more trauma to the cartlidge.

Find a reputable piercer and get it done with a needle. A good piercer will put you at ease and will use sterile equipment. They will also advise with any problems you may have afterwards. Cartlidge can be tricky to heal even when done properly with a needle... I wouldn't take the chance.

ItsNovemberNotChristmas · 19/11/2019 14:01

Mine never healed, it was agony to lie on and I ended up removing it after 3 months

ImARocketMan · 19/11/2019 14:24

Last cartilage piercing I had was a forward helix and the piercer said 10 months to heal fully which was about right but that doesn't mean you can't sleep on it for 10 months! But I definitely second @camelandsushi recommendation of using a travel neck pillow to sleep on with your ear in the hole, for the comfort factor if nothing else.

Secretsloth · 19/11/2019 14:30

I had my helix done with a gun nearly 20 years ago & it lasted about 2 weeks before i got an incredible infection in it. Guns are not sanitary and cannot be sterilised fully but also, the earrings arent sharp enough to pierce through flesh and cartilage cleanly. The other thing with butterfly back style earrings is that they dont allow space for healing so you may well end up with swelling around the earring which sees one or both sides of this embedded in your ear.

I've since had another helix piercing done with a needle & it didn't hurt (well, barely), was very quick and if you have researched where you will be getting this done (make sure its hygienic...clean with gloves being worn etc), they will give you good quality jewelry (surgical grade steel or titanium) which will allow space for swelling (remember to downsize your bar after around 6-8 weeks). you will also get aftercare instructions - STICK TO THEM!

MustardScreams · 19/11/2019 14:30

A nose piercing with a gun Shock

Guns are never, ever acceptable to be used on any piercing. No matter what anyone says.

Original poster
bigdecsions · 19/11/2019 14:46

Thank everyone, for those of you who Have had to remove the piercing, has it left visible mark ?

OP posts:
MustardScreams · 19/11/2019 14:48

Not the ones in my ears. I had 10+ piercings at one time, including cartilage, and you can’t tell at all now.

Original poster
bigdecsions · 19/11/2019 14:51

@MustardScreams wow 10? So nothing visible ? That's amazing

OP posts:
Original poster
bigdecsions · 19/11/2019 14:52

I had my nose done about 15 years ago, you can definitely tell it was pierced, haven't worn anything for about 5-6 years

OP posts:
TheMasterBaker · 19/11/2019 14:58

Don't have any piercing done with a gun. They're dangerous and usually wielded by people who have had a couple of hours 'training' to use them. Blunt force trauma, hygiene etc is a massive issue to. Always go to a proper piercer in a reputable studio. It doesn't take more than a couple of seconds to have it done with a needle and it'll be done by someone properly trained and the quality of the jewellery you'll get is a million times better. While no piercings should be done with a gun, cartilage is probably the worst as it can cause serious damage to the cartilage, I've even seen it pretty much shattered by the impact of the jewellery flying through.
Cartilage piercings can be awful for healing so be prepared for it to take up to a year to settle properly.

ImARocketMan · 19/11/2019 15:40

You can tell where one of my piercings used to be if you really look close up but it's just a little white mark, not noticeable at all.

honeyloops · 19/11/2019 15:49

My helix stopped hurting (aching) after a couple of days, and although it hurt a lot if I caught it, otherwise I didn't notice it after that. Definitely no gun though!!

MulticolourMophead · 19/11/2019 15:59

I've yet to come across a piercer who has sterile hands, as soon as they pick the needle up it is no longer sterile.

Mine washed his hands then used gloves from a sterile pack. Probably cleaner than the venupuncturists at blood donor sessions, who just cover their hands in gel.

sashh · 20/11/2019 08:57

I've yet to come across a piercer who has sterile hands, as soon as they pick the needle up it is no longer sterile.

Mine washed his hands then used gloves from a sterile pack. Probably cleaner than the venupuncturists at blood donor sessions, who just cover their hands in gel.

That sort of makes mypoint about guns not being sterile, they don't need to be. I've seen piercers use gloves but never actual sterile ones that come in a single pack and cost about a fiver.

Don't have any piercing done with a gun. They're dangerous and usually wielded by people who have had a couple of hours 'training' to use them. Blunt force trauma, hygiene etc is a massive issue to. Always go to a proper piercer in a reputable studio. It doesn't take more than a couple of seconds to have it done with a needle and it'll be done by someone properly trained and the quality of the jewellery you'll get is a million times better.

But there is no training course for piercers, not any accredited ones so no they will not be better trained although they are usually more experienced.

MustardScreams

A gun has been developed specifically to pierce the nose.

adaline · 20/11/2019 09:01

I've had all my cartilage piercings done with needles. It doesn't really hurt at all - there's some bleeding and swelling at first but it's honestly been fine.

Please don't let anyone pierce your cartilage with a gun!

MustardScreams · 20/11/2019 09:34

@sashh if guns are fine why do none of the best piercers in the world use them? Not a single pierced with any substance would ever recommend or use a gun. There’s going to be a reason beyond anecdotal evidence.

sashh · 20/11/2019 11:43

@sashh if guns are fine why do none of the best piercers in the world use them? Not a single pierced with any substance would ever recommend or use a gun. There’s going to be a reason beyond anecdotal evidence.

It seems to be a mantra that 'everyone' says, like they also say, "you are always better with a separate washer and drier not a washer/drier".

You can see it on this thread and every other piercing thread.

a) can't be sterilised - it doesn't need to be
b)blunt force trauma - no it isn't
c) originally used for cows - nope designed for humans
d) operator only has a couple of hours training - that should be enough

Personally I find it bizarre they don't use them because the needles they do use are not usually designed for piercing they are medical syringes or canualas.

The jewelry that is put in isn't sterile, whereas with a gun it is.

You would think by now, with piercing being so popular, you would be able to get a sterile pack containing sterile gloves, needle, swabs etc.

JacquesHammer · 20/11/2019 11:45

You would think by now, with piercing being so popular, you would be able to get a sterile pack containing sterile gloves, needle, swabs etc

You literally can. My piercer uses a fully sterile system.

ActualHornist · 20/11/2019 13:23

I’m with @sashh I think a gun is fine for lobes as well.

I don’t know anyone that had their earlobes done by a needle. A couple of them had problems but nothing caused by the gun - allergies and the like.

But needle only for cartilage. You will regret it otherwise.

DeadCucumber · 20/11/2019 13:27

Had mine done with gun, ended up in hospital. Go for needle, less risks.

ActualHornist · 20/11/2019 13:29

Why, because it stapled your ear to your head?

JacquesHammer · 20/11/2019 13:57

My first holes were done by a gun.

My second aged 11 were done via a needle and all subsequent piercings have been needles.

I can add to the anecdote of not having any problems with gun piercings but my goodness the quality of the hole through my lobe is very obviously different!

Jaynesworld · 20/11/2019 14:07

I have many ear piercings and would never have any done with a gun. Go to a proper piercer who does it with a needle, less risk of getting an infection etc.
Then stop off at primark and get a neck pillow for when you sleep, so your ear goes in the middle. It makes sleeping so much easier and less painful x

Original poster
bigdecsions · 20/11/2019 14:29

Thank you everyone, I also had my lobes done by a gun when I was younger, also my 3 daughters have had their lobes done by guns too and have been fine. To be honest I didn't know much about needles until I researched about the cartilage. I'll be definitely going for needle with my cartilage. And thanks for the tips on neck pillows for sleeping, that was one thing I was worried about especially since I want the piercing on my left side and that's where I sleep.

OP posts:
sashh · 21/11/2019 09:25

Oh and I forgot the latest guns are disposable.

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