First of all I would like to thank everyone before me who entered their reviews as this did help me come to a decision about whether to get my tragus pierced or not. I do think that it is important to understand what could go wrong and signs to look out for in the event of infections etc.
At A Glance Author Lianne When It just happened Studio Urban Piercings Location Reading, Berkshire This is my 11th piercing and every time I work myself up and don't know if to take the plunge or not. It is always a worry in the back of my mind when deciding if to go for another piercing because I have had a few bad experiences with other piercings - such as my nose (I had a huge lump appear which lasted for 3 months!) But this is my story of my Tragus...
I have been thinking about getting a new piercing for the past 2 years but have not been able to make the commitment because of exams in alternative therapy that do not allow you to wear earrings. Now that my exams have finished I decided that now was the time. I have loved the idea of getting my Tragus pierced as it still isn't that common compared to other piercings - especially where I live, I don't see that many people with it done!
Saturday 19th May, I woke up and though that this is the day. I went into town with my boyfriend and spoke to a few different piercing specialists to find out who I wanted to pierce me. To my horror some said they would use a piercing gun so I ruled those out straight away as a gun can cause more damage to the tissue. I settled on a small place called urban piercings in Reading, Berkshire; they only do piercings. I informed them that I was thinking of having my Tragus pierced and they were very professional and explained the costs involved, healing time, piercing options etc before paying to have it done and most importantly they said they only use needles. After having a general conversation, they made me feel at ease and I thought "what the hell - let's do this!"
(At this time I was advised that a barbell would heal quicker than a hoop as hoops move around in the wound more, extending the healing time so I decided on the barbell).
I was taken to the piercing room and asked to sit on the couch. The piercer asked which side I would like pierced, examined my ear and made a mark with a pen and asked me if I was happy with the positioning. He then placed all the piercing equipment onto a tray and came over asking if I was comfortable and if I had any further questions before he got started. He asked me to stay as still as I could as he was going to proceed with the piercing - it was then I started to feel really nervous! I remember the pain of the nose piercing from the year before and thought it was going to hurt...
As he placed the clamp on my tragus I remember thinking "no turning back now" clutching my hands together. I was expecting him to ask me to count to three as many places do but he didn't which I was happy with as I wasn't expecting it!! I felt slight pressure on my ear and he said it was through! What? already? where was the pain? most of all, there was no popping sound that others spoke of which I hated the thought of. To be honest, the only discomfort I felt was when he placed the barbell into the tragus - there was a slight sting - but only for a second. Once this was through, it took him a few seconds to place the small ball at the end of the barbell.
I don't believe it was over so quickly! He asked if I was feeling OK and invited me to take a look in the mirror - I loved it..
I was given an aftercare solution and aftercare form and contact card - they welcomed me to contact them at any time if I was worried about the piercing while it was healing.
On the way back to the car, I couldn't resist but to have another look at the new edition and could see that I had dried blood around the piercing and it was a little swollen. I was informed that I should clean the piercing twice a day but not to turn the barbell as this could prolong the healing time.
That afternoon, I couldn't feel any discomfort, just a slight bruised feeling when I smiled (as my ears slightly move)- even that night I didn't have any problems sleeping on it (although I tried not to)
Today is Monday 21st May so it's day 3 of the piercing. I still have slight swelling but I forgot that I have had it pierced which is a good thing, except when I smack it with the phone at work!
Overall, so far so good so if you are thinking of having your tragus pierced, believe me, it's not as bad as you think. The only thing I would say, I am now gutted as I can't listen to my music as I can't get an ear phone in the ear at the moment and also, when my boyfriend snores, I can't wear ear plugs to block out the sound!!!!