cartilage...

[PoiNtBlaNK187]

So I decided that I would like o get a cartilage piercing. I was wondering how long is the healing time and can you have them out for long periods of time? * ANyone know?

[Illyria Jade_mod]

i'm asuming you mean a regular helix piercing, since there are multiple different kinds of cartilage piercings. *helixes can take anywhere from 4 months to a year, especially if you sleep on them.

whether or not you can leave them out for a while depends on your body. *If you're one of those people who can take a piercing out for months (or even years) at a time, then chances are you could do it with a cartilage piercing too. *but it's hard to say for sure. *the best thing to do would be to get it and then once it's healed you can take it out for longer and longer periods of time and see how the piercing reacts once there's no jewelry in it.


TIP FOR CARTILAGE PIERCINGS :: have the piercer use a gauge larger needle than the jewelry you're putting in (ie. a 12g needle if you want a 14g ring/barbell). *this gives the piercing more room to heal around the cartilage (grow skin in there) and tends to heal easier and faster.

[RoguePhoenix]

Just as an example for the "everyone is different" thing....

I had a rim piercing for over five years. I took it out for a play I was in and it closed over in less than three hours.

[PoiNtBlaNK187]

oops...i meant to post a reply, but i made a new topic...lol * sorry guys

[Illyria Jade_mod]

np :)

for me, unless i'm at a larger gauge (above 12/10), my piercings will shut in 5 minutes or less. *my nostril (20g) I have to put a taper in while i'm setting one screw down and picking up the next.

[iamblackbird]

Unlike me, who's been known to leave jewelry out for MONTHS on end, and not have a problem. Even a still-healing piercing didn't close within a day...

The piercing, for cartilage, also depends on whether you get it pierced or (if availible in your area) dermal punched.

[Illyria Jade_mod]

however, even if you are in a state/area that allows dermal punching, studios don't usually have anything smaller than 4 or 6g unless requested ahead of time. *also, dermal punches can only be used in specific locations: helix, outer conch, conch and lobe.

[everything_went_numb]

I had my helix pierced in may of last year, and it was no fun to heal. *accidently sleeping on it was painful, but it finally began to calm down by the end of the summer, (meaning I could sleep on it with no pain, and "crusties" were almost non-existant). *although it does get upset with me once and a while, the swelling usually goes away by the next morning .
I do love the piercing to death though, and I'm even considering a conch piercing for my birthday in april (as long as my parents agree to it since i am underage).
Post pictures if/when you do get your cartilage pierced!

[tomreid500]

i pierced half of my friends scaffolding last night ... i had a spare hypadermic needle lying around lol and he says its perfect and wants my to do the other hole for him too ...

:D

[iamblackbird]

Just be SURE that you are using fresh, sterile needles *for EACH new hole.

[tomreid500]

ye i kno ... got bout 3 different supplies lol ... sooo glad my dads a marine biologist