Its not so bad. I think it was the fastest healing piercing that I ever had. But it takes some time to 'toughen up' (think months here). For a few days you avoid drinking coffee as it makes it sting 

Interestingly a fatter ring was much more comfortable than a thin one so they are worth 'stretching' a little.

Perhaps it would give you a helpful aid for tucking. I took mine out awhile back as I got annoyed that I could not pee so straight with it in.

0_0
I've been thinking about getting my ears done soon, there is nothing holding me back from doing it. Maybe not knowing where I can get it done and wanting to go with my mum but she's busy with stuff for the next few weeks. I should of got them done months ago :S and $20 is nothing
S.x

Ok the whole story and aftermath. I'm in Australia as many of you know, so experiences may differ on which pond you live by.

I went to a regular Beauty shop, does tanning, nails, piercings, etc. I was in male clothes. Went to the counter and said do you do ear piercings? Yes how many? Studs or rings. I chose studs. sit down I'll just make a mark on your ear, that OK, Yes, Rinsed with a sterile swab click, click of a piercing gun. Done. $20 for the studs and a bottle of wash. Rotate them regularly and wash with the wash; leave in for 6 weeks, Bye.

No pain felt good, no one looked twice

All of the information WAS WRONG.

Rotating the studs I released them from the keepers. I managed to get the right back on, I had to push the left back through the ear and put a new sleeper on, it was a bit ouchie. Of course this in a car park at another place, after a gym workout: dirty hands, sweaty etc etc. GULP.

The left ear lobe became infected, red and swollen, but no pain. I went to my medic (who knows me very well). They look good, he said. BUT DON'T TOUCH THEM, I REALLY MEAN DON'T TOUCH THEM. I think he didn't want me to touch them.

As an aside, I'm an immunologist, I understand allergic reactions. I know what I'm allergic too. If you are allergic to nickel, or to any metal think carefully about what you are doing and get a professional medical opinion.

I'm on a course of antibiotics. The stud in the left ear has gone into the inflammed skin, I hope it comes out when the inflammation goes down. I'm washing them with piercing wash and hydrogen peroxide every few hours. I can push the right stud out but it gets 'swallowed', I'll just have to be a good girl and see what happens.

But I think the advice I got from the beauticians was totally wrong and I was naive in listening to something I would normally have ignored if I had followed my own opinion.

So may I suggest. DON'T TOUCH, use sterile swabs etc to touch piercings and don't bother rotating it will not do any good. This is of course just my opinion.

I'm glad I didn't have a PA Nicky, I'd be walking around with bow legs saying, it's nothing just a local swelling

But anyway. I totally love them. I cannot wait to wear other rings. It has increased my confidence heaps. Even walking around in guygear I feel happier. And I'm not sure but the salesgirls seem to be more chatty, or maybe it's just me.

Hugs to all, and just be careful and remember hygiene.


Cindy: the infected one

gratz! i am on 5 pierces and planning to get two more. they don't really care about stuff like that where i work at, though.

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Post Merge: October 19, 2009, 09:07:05 AM

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On caring for new pierces you should just put the solution they give you on the ear rings (front and back) then just push earrings in and out a bit to get the solution inside. And for those that get a piercing through cartridge there is going to be an extended ouch factor. They hurt for a while!

Quote from: CindyJames on October 06, 2009, 03:01:14 AM
Goes to work in drab, biggest fear someone would say something nasty, since I have them in both ears
But no comments from anyone. Yes they noticed. I could see the eye drift.

Several of the guys I work with (big, tough shipping dock guys) have both ears pierced.  Can't speak for Oz, but here in the States it's not nearly as unusual as it was, say, 10 years ago.

Oh, and, piercings rock!      Glad you're happy with the results. 

But if you ever do it again, I suggest going to a professional body piercer.  They have a more sterile environment, and the process itself is both less painful and more hygienic.