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I'm writing this as a main comment so I know you'll see this, rather than down in response to /u/hambonedinosaur. I also see that you already say you're going to go for it, but I thought I'd toss in my two cents anyway.

EDIT: If you read one thing I have to say, be it this - check out this reading about the PA here. It's from The Piercing Bible, a fantastic source about anything piercing. It's extremely helpful, and it's what convinced me to get my PA. Seriously. It's really helpful.

I got my PA last summer, about 9 months ago, and I have no regret about it. I was pierced with 12g, which I recommend. 8g is unnecessarily large for initial piercing, and will lead to A LOT of bleeding. I'd say go for 10g at most. With 12g, there wasn't too much bleeding. It healed very quickly, my gf and I had sex three or four days after.

Don't worry one bit about your size. Your piercer doesn't care, and they'll understand about it being small. I'm average sized, and when I got pierced it was the smallest I've ever seen it. I think it knew the needle was coming, and was trying to hide. /u/hambonedinosaur said the receiving tube (goes down your urethra to receive the needle) was the worst part. I disagree with this. The tube wasn't painful, just awkward feeling. I'd never felt anything stretch/put pressure on my urethra like that before, it was definitely interesting. If your piercer starts to use foreceps instead of a tube, ask them to stop and use a tube instead. And don't worry about the pain of the needle, it's instantaneous and gets better as soon as it's through. The euphoria that comes after outweighs the pain 10:1 and makes the pain seem like nothing. You will be walking awkwardly after and the next day or two as you figure things out haha.

I wore thin pads for the first couple of days, and it was plenty to catch the dribbles of blood that came out with movement. At night, I slept with a rubber latex glove and paper towel gently rubber banded on. That helped a lot not spreading mess in bed. The first night was by far the most bleeding of all nights, but it wasn't much at all (a teaspoon maybe?). I was scared as shit to get a boner and tried my best not to. You really don't have to worry, you will get a boner in your first few days, but it's not going to be as catastrophic as you may believe (at least I did, I thought it would make me start bleeding).

It's important to keep it clean. When you shower, take a minute to lather your hand, gently rub the soap around. Put soap on the ring, and turn the ring so it rotates as much as possible through piercing hole and urethra. The first week or two you will get dead cell build-up and (while you're still bleeding) dried blood on the ring. It's very important to thoroughly get this off, it is uncomfortable as fuck for shit stuck on your ring to go through the hole. If you happen to not take a shower every day, make sure you clean the ring at least once a day. I recommend soaking it (I put soapy water in a shot glass and let it soak for a few minutes, while I brushed my teeth), then using a q-tip and saline solution to gently rub/scrub any build-up off. You'll noticed after a week, two, three, that your ring stops getting as much build-up as it did, and then you can stop cleaning it as religiously. Still give a minute to clean it whenever you shower.

If your piercer only gives you the jewelry they put in you and no extras (that's what mine did), MAKE SURE YOU GET EXTRAS! Doesn't matter where, whether you buy them there or at a mall or whatever, just have a few extras lying around. You never know when you'll need one, and don't want to be caught without one. I've lost the ball in my compression ring a few times - thankfully not the ring, but could've easily happened. Just last week I lost my horseshoe ring at work when I was going to the bathroom and noticed as I was shaking off one of the balls had come unscrewed, and as I noticed that, it went flying and went down the drain of the toilet. RIP horseshoe ring. And (you may be different from me) when I got home 9 hrs later and put my compressing ring in, it took a bit of convincing to go in. So don't leave your ring out for an extended period for a long while, it could shrink.

Going back to gauging, I recommend NOT starting at 8g, start at 10 or 12. It's easy to go up. I'm at a 10 now and am planning on going to an 8g in a few months. I'm taking this slowly. One of my friends who has a PA said that (if you don't want to gauge to a 0 or 00 or whatever) 6g is a good stopping place - just the right size, good weight, etc.

Anyway. That was a lot longer than I had planned making this. It's going to be awesome, and I'm confident you're going to love it. Don't let your douchebag brain get you all worked up and worried about how much it's going to hurt or how terrible it's going to be. Tell that little voice to stfu and go sit in the corner. It won't be nearly as bad as anything that little voice in your head will make you think it'll be. You're going to love it as soon as your pierced.

Cheers, and good luck! (Sorry for the essay....)

Hey all,

I have one of these cushions that I'm not using: https://www.amazon.com/Donut-Pillow-Stuffed-Cushion-Inches/dp/B01NAYR68N

It's the brown version rather than the pink one.

I bought it awhile ago and used a couple of times but ended up settling on another type of pillow with a hole in the middle so I could sleep on my fresh ear piercings.

This would work best sitting on top of another pillow, didn't work so well for me as I use a contoured pillow.

I'd rather give it to someone who might get some more benefit out of it than just giving it to an op shop. I'll chuck it in the wash before mailing it. Happy to send it anywhere in Australia for someone who'll use it :)

PM me if interested.

Cheers

When I got mine, I got one of these pillows! It's a cute donut with a bite taken out of it, absolutely perfect for sleeping with new piercings!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAYR68N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_4cWPCbSKD96GC

I have had issues with the jewelry falling out and not being able to get it back in. Maybe keep a long stud handy just in case, and by the way, if that happens, it's so much easier to put the jewelry in backwards with the ball in the back until you can get to a piercer or learn to put it back yourself. I was late to work once before I figured that out!

Warm sea salt soaks twice a day are amazing, 7 months later I still can't sleep directly on it, donut pillow is a godsend, and keep the long initial jewelry for longer than you think you need. It swells up easy and quickly! It's all worth it though, I absolutely love conch piercings and I also have 1/2" first lobes, second lobes and a conch! Good choice! Love the blue!

How long have you had your piercings? This will make a difference. For the nostril, I wouldn't risk it...it might close. I didn't start leaving my nostril out until I hit the two year mark. However, if you're gonna leave it out, do yourself a favor and buy a taper (are you at 18g?). It'll make your life much easier...the hole PROBABLY won't close, but it'll probably shrink, so shoving a nostril screw in there once it's shrunk won't feel good. A taper will help tremendously. Something like this http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?jewelry=tapers&ProductID=11090&index=11

If you need to wear the 14g in your tongue, you should be fine. If you want to really be safe, just buy a 12g taper to help you insert your jewelry again once you wake up.

Here's a nostril retainer for 20g and 18g http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?Retainer=Y&pagenumber=2&ProductID=8341&index=1

Here's an 18g, I've actually owned this one. Ugly as sin but it'll get the job done http://www.bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?Retainer=Y&pagenumber=2&ProductID=3248&index=9

(I highly recommend bodyartforms, if that wasn't apparent lol)

I did a quick Google search and found this 12g retainer on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Soft-Acrylic-Tongue-Retainer-Clear/dp/B004FNDYFQ

I'd be willing to bet if you investigated Google some more, you'd find some options. Ebay seems to have just about everything, just watch to see where your jewelry is coming from...if it's located overseas, it could take weeks to get to you (not sure when your surgery is). Good luck!

Yeah just to be safe - but honestly i tried it out a couple times during the year and it just didn't feel comfortable quite yet. Everyone heals differently, though!

I have urbanears plattan 2 pretty affordable and comfortable. Amazon link below :)

Urbanears Plattan 2 On-Ear Headphone, Snow Blue (04091672) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MG4Y1UY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UD.Wzb9MFNNX5

Oh man. I have countless pieces of jewelry!

My ears: industrial bar, eyebrow ring in conch piercing, 5/8 first holes, and 8gauge second holes (both ears are symmetrical).

Normal silver stud in labret, regular barbel in tongue, 14g captured segment in septum.

Here's pics of the plugs I currently own for my gauges:

1 Scorpions! These are what inspired me to keep stretching. I stopped at 00 but I just had to have these! 5/8 was the smallest they came in, and that's where I am now.

2 Just regular stainless steel tunnels. I love these because they make your ear holes look huge.

3

4

5 Probably my favorite pair! They were real cheap on Amazon too.

6 They are like these ones, but they have a bone inlaid carving of Ganesha. Looked at the website they were on, but they don't have them anymore. I don't wear them too much because the triangle shape is uncomfortable in my ear. I can't leave them in more than a day

I also have tons of old random stuff left over from all of the stretching.

I got my tiny lobe hoops from my piercer, but you can find similar ones here- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K8Y52X1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mdo0CbN6BZV6Z

I got my opals from various sources, most being online, so I'm not exactly sure of each one. My opals in my third lobe and auricle are 3mm labrets, and the one in my tragus is a 2mm labret. My helix rings are both 8mm in diameter, and you could likely find my flat piece by searching "opal flower labret". I'm glad you like them! Hope this helps. 💖

This may help. I copied and pasted a comment I made a while ago.

I read a trick on here the I'm going to use when I get my front facing CBB- they took the cotton part off of one of those qtips with the plastic tube and applied a tiny bit of Mounting Putty to the end and stuck the threaded end to it. Then you line it up and spin the tube in your fingers to tighten. You'll have to hand tighten, but it gets it started.

Instead of a qtip, I'm just going to use the back of one of these. I already use these to clean around my paired nostril ends and the back end with no fiber will work for the mounting putty. :)

Alas, I'll be waiting a few months for my front facing CBB. I hope the method works for me. I just thought I'd share.

Edit- is your ring titanium or gold? It kind of looks rose gold, so I'm wondering if it's anodized titanium or rose gold or some other color entirely. :)

Yeah i hear tea tree is no good but it never seemed to make anything worse w me. Again.. no professional here. Lol. I got mine for $14 from this link too, not that pricy honestly because there is a LOT of salt packed in that thing and you only need a tiny bit each time.

Urban ReLeaf Piercing Care ! Healing Sea Salts & Botanical AFTERCARE ! Safely Clean, Disinfect & Heal New Stretched Piercings. Effective Non-iodized. Vitamin Rich. Dead Sea Salt & Botanicals (1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTAH740/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YtvlDb2D3DHYR

Yeah, kinda both. Without getting too graphic, rings that fit my anatomy end up bulky in bike shorts -- I've switched to curved barbells. It's fine taking it out, just gets old-- thought a frenum might be easier to wear biking.

I hear you -- my favorites, john Sievers are like $20 a pair. :'-( . I found a good couple pair on Amazon of 2xist for like $10 for 2.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWL7U52/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_KHaevb0BNS0SK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWL7U52/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_KHaevb0BNS0SK

That's great! I think you're getting downvoted because your link is bad (it doesn't load the product page on my computer), but it looks like you bought the CVS Sterile Saline Wound Wash, which is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution with no additives. That's the perfect concentration for piercings, so you're good to go!

If you ever get annoyed by how quickly the product sprays out, I really like the NeilMed Fine Mist Wound Wash. It has the same formula as the CVS wound wash, but dispenses in a fine mist that doesn't soak my whole ear.

I've only been lurking here for a few days, but pretty sure the only thing that is recommended is saline spray or wound wash like this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWVZ2FL/ref=twister_B074RB44MX?th=1&psc=1

Current recommendation for aftercare I think is sterile saline. You can get a saline wound wash from a pharmacy but I like this it has the best stream (regular wound washes are too hard for me):

NeilMed NeilCleanse Piercing Aftercare, Fine Mist, 6 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TZUJW6O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8MCpDbX7MHRJM

The saline spray I use is Stericlens which I initially brought from my piercer about a year ago now and I have since gone through 1 more can . It only has salt and water in the ingredients and can spray in any direction which is cool. But the nozzle it is really precise so you can direct the water flow. It comes in a big enough can that will last a few months

I find it hard buying saline spray in the UK in stores so if your piercers doesn't have them then I recommend stericlens. As for buying in boots and stuff look for something that is pure salt and water with no preservatives in the correct concentration which is 0.9% sodium chloride. I had a look on Boots and Superdrug and couldn't find anything with just that. I think you might need to ask over the counter for one specifically but buying from Amazon would be tonnes easier.

Hope this helps

Stericlens Spray 240mls http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004S7856M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8dLQzbBXCZZEZ

I pretty much wore cotton bralettes like those Calvin Klein ones 24/7 when I got my nipples pierced. Sports bras might be too tight and polyester isn’t as breathable as cotton. Try wearing a cotton bralette even to sleep, and just make sure you change into a clean one every day. bralettes

Im a stylist and keep a set of these on hand for clients who can’t get their ears wet. Seems like it would work well for you also. https://www.amazon.com/100Pcs-Disposable-Clear-Shower-Protector/dp/B00XBN0HA6

No. Please use a piercing aftercare product such as H2Ocean or Neilmed.

I’ve used both products with great success, and most piercers will tell you to avoid soap and antiseptics for general aftercare.

Also, you should consult with your piercer with questions specific to your situation.

No cotton! Just a saline wound spray, i really mean don’t touch it at all! I would switch to implant grade titanium, and if you don’t already have one, get a travel pillow to sleep on and put a pillowcase on it and change the pillowcase often. I got keloids, but they resolved over time. Hoops in any piercings can be tricky and will depend on your anatomy, they move around more and can irritate the piercing. I just sprayed mine with wound wash twice a day and didn’t touch it. Like seriously don’t touch it at all! If you have long hair make sure to keep it away from the piercing, and watch out for things like hats and headphones while it’s healing. this is kinda like the one I used

My piercer told me saline is not a good solution for new piercings. It's ok to use to keep older existing piercings clean but not fresh piercings.

I agree with him, because whatever I had pierced in the past I just cleaned with saline and always got keloids like this (or even darker more painful ones, gross) .

My recent piercer gave me this stuff :

Studex After Piercing Lotion (it's not actually a lotion, its clear and watery like saline)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018JRU6SQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VeRYDbGM279BY



I got my nose pierced just a few days and there are zero issues! No bumps, no itchiness no tender feelings, no oozing etc.

The fact that your rook is swollen means there is an infection brewing in there. Visiting a doctor or trusted piercing specialist is a good call. If your piercer says " don't worry about it just keep using saline" get a different opinion.

Edit: also, try sleeping on the other side at night so you don't put pressure on it or infect it with any germs that might be on your pillowcase.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've seen numerous posts praising this pillow: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAYR68N/?coliid=I3S58QGHXQWCUB.

You can also get H2 Ocean from Amazon for like $7

Edit like $8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007M1ZQM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MKBlyb69XNSMV

This NeilMed piercing spray is what I've always used, and I love it!

My piercer told me not to wear any type of ear bud in the ear with my new daith for at least three months. If, by "fresh" it's been less than that, I wouldn't even try. Just wear the one for now of get over-the-ear head phones.

I have small ears and mild hearing problems so I can't hear well with earbuds like you describe. However, I have had success with my small ears with this type of earbud tip. It hasn't been three months so I can't really tell you how well they work in that ear though.

The best place to get sterile saline in the uk is amazon. My piercer sells stericlens, but I’ve bought it from amazon too, there’s a smaller can, but they’re a very similar price, so you might as well get the 240ml can.

It is better to avoid using cotton buds, but I occasionally use them to remove stubborn gunk after cleaning the piercing. I think the suggestion on here generally is to use something that’s less likely to leave fibres behind if you need to use anything.

I picked this one up on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0719DBLJC

I think it looks better in person than it does in the listing..

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/Vintage-Dragon-Earring-Alchemy-Thailand/dp/B008Q6GSOM#


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|




This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

I received a small bottle of Provon from my piercer. Plenty left over, too, for later piercings =)

These are pretty handy.

• How much confidence they give you even though most everyone is unaware they exist. Also, if you're a girl, you can see them through your shirt/swimsuit, etc. a lot of the time. Band-aids or slight padding will hide them when necessary.
  
• Clean them every day. Use antibacterial soap like this (Soap) in the shower to clean them. Keep the crusties off the jewelry. I found mine healed faster and easier w/ straight barbells.
  
• It didn't hurt at all. It was the opposite of pain..................ifyaknowwhatimean...
  
• The peircer advised me to get them both done the same day. I guess it does hurt most people pretty bad so there's fear you won't go back for the other. Also, 2 healing periods would suck.
  
• No pain, no gain.

It looks irritated, rather than infected. Since the bleeding, have you noticed any other discharge? If it's white (pus), that's indicative of infection. If it's a yellowish color (usually hardens to a crust), that's lymph fluid, your body's way of cleaning the wound from the inside. If you're not sure if you slept on it, I advise getting a travel pillow to sleep on, with your ear in the hole to prevent sleeping on it. That would prevent further irritation from that standpoint. Also be mindful of bumping you ear for any reason, and try to avoid getting it snagged while wearing hats, brushing your hair, etc. Try your best to leave it alone, as cleaning it can sometimes further irritation. Any crush that may accumulate will eventually fall off on its own. You can try NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen) over Tylenol to help with the swelling as well, as long as it's not contraindicated for you.

​

Here's the donut pillow I still use, even though all my ear piercings are healed. I prefer this over a travel pillow because it's not so thick, and it has the perfect spot to lay it on your shoulder. Good luck!

You can do it on your right side. Just get a travel pillow or some kind of donut pillow to avoid sleeping on it :)

posted what it looked like after i washed. couldn’t get all of it off but i tried

this is what i was using before i was told by reddit to not use it

Amazon ya'll. I have it in the snake version too.
http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Dragon-Earring-Alchemy-Thailand/dp/B008Q6GSOM#

Could use this but still be mindful it can still get bits of water in it.

I have this product https://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-NeilCleanse-Piercing-Aftercare-Fluid/dp/B00TZUJW6O

and do you know when the dark pink color should go away?

Like I said, only do salt spray/salt soaks. If the soap gets in that hole it's bad news.

This is what I use: NeilMed NeilCleanse Piercing Aftercare, Fine Mist, 6 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TZUJW6O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wJntDb5ZA20AB