For context, the first 2 photos are 4 hours following the piercing. The rest are roughly 48 hours after.
Let me just start off by saying I’m extremely pleased with it. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting one since I got my eyebrow piercing in early 2025. These are the only two piercings I have.
Finally going…
Ive put this off for awhile for my own reasons. First of which was my own internal insecurities about how I appear at work, and the second (when I finally got over that) was the $2 margarita night my coworkers invited me to the day I was finally going to go. Oops.
2 days later, went in to the shop with the intent on getting one, but I wanted someone to check and see if I had the correct anatomy that would make this feasible. It wasn’t until recently that I learned this is a major factor when I started taking this idea seriously. Supposedly, they had turned down a couple people that day alone for the same thing simply due to ear structure - crazy! After scoping it out she said it was definitely doable. While she was getting prepped she noticed the only other piercing I had in was my eyebrow. She asked if I had any ear/cartilage piercings. When I said no, she giggled and said “that’s a choice, but I’m so here for it” (referring to the Industrial being my first) which gave me a good laugh before giving me the rundown of what to expect.
The piercing…
I really anticipated this to hurt, and it did, but after reading good story after bad story and so on about getting these done I genuinely thought this would suck to get. Part of that is also my fault. It’s like watching YouTube videos of getting your wisdom teeth removed and working yourself up for a horrible experience which is definitely not something I have done before, that would be absurd. Pain aside, I knew I wanted it. Now, pain is subjective to a degree so keep that in mind. I thought the forward portion of the ear (apologies I forgot the terminology) would hurt more than the rear. I done fooled myself and it wasn’t bad. The best way I can describe it was that it felt “blunt” and from what I’ve been told it’s due to not as many nerve endings in that portion of the ear. The more you know!
The rear? Bit of a yikes, but it was okay! Significantly more of a pinch. According to my piercer after getting the darn thing through I have a “stronger than normal outer cuff”. In retrospect I think that is what contributed to the significant pinch or the struggle to get it through. Either way, once it was in it was smooth sailing from there.
Aftercare…
After getting home, the swelling had definitely gone up but the redness wasn’t nearly as bad. It still stung a bit and by this time it was nearly time to sleep. So I took a Tylenol, laid out my clothes for work, cleaned my piercing then headed to bed. By morning, I couldn’t feel it and I ABSOLUTELY expected to. Still don’t. It’s the weirdest thing. Sure, if I do something that accidentally bonks it - it’s a bit tender. That’s it. I credit this to two thing…
- Anatomy. I’m lucky and I think where it was pierced simply just helps. While tough to tell in the photos, there is a significant gap between the barbell and the flat of my ear.
It’s Sunday, and I’ve had this piercing since Thursday. Is there a lot of road left on the healing journey? For sure, but it’s off to a great start.
Overall…
… if you’re considering getting it. Do it. I’m absolutely loving it. First day wearing it to work tomorrow and I cannot wait. Thank you for reading and I hope my experience helps or enlightens in some way.