Of all the body modifications, cartilage piercing is known to be one with burgeoning popularity. With 17% of all piercings in the US, this one is loved for varied reasons.

And it is not something new. It has been there since ages. When done right it can change your overall appearance. Plus, you can adorn it with jewelry of different designs and sizes. It is the natural appeal of this piercing which makes it more unique.

However, if you are a newbie to this form of body art, it is important to learn a little more about the same. Here are some quick tips to make things simpler for you.

Healing Needs Some Time!

If you have been considering cartilage and earlobe piercing to be same, here is the major difference you can spot. While ear lobes have a fair amount of blood flow, these are quick to heal. So it will take nearly four to six weeks for an ear lobe to be fine. But on the other hand, cartilage piercing can take between three to six months. And it can be even longer at times. This is a huge difference. Plus, you cannot overlook the importance of maintaining a good hygiene and care.

Pro tip: To make it heal effectively and faster, be particular with the size or material of your jewelry. And please don't change it until your piercing is fully healed. As your cartilage tends to heal slowly internally, removing your jewelry prior to being stable, can lead to infection.

Sleeping Will Become Difficult!

This one is the greatest downside you are going to deal with cartilage piercing. The inconvenience comes along as you will not be able to sleep on your new piercings. Be prepared for this and say goodbye to snuggling on your side.

Anxiety is Common!

Don’t stress out is you artist asks you to -Take a deep breathe! There are chances that your heart starts beating out loud and palms start sweating. This is all due to increasing level of anxiety. After all, you are about to have a hole punched in the body. To keep it well, make sure you are going to an experienced professional. Don’t forget to ask whether he uses a needle or gun. The process of using a piercing gun can be more traumatic and risky. It is better if you get pierced with a needle, by the hands of a trained professional.

It Will Pain, Obviously!

As the professional piercer is going to use a needle which will be quite sharp and hollow, this is going to be painful. Therefore, to allow the piercer work with speed and precision, make sure you use apply a numbing cream before getting your skin punctured. Basically, you need to apply a thick layer of topical anesthetic cream like NumbSkin cream 45 minutes before the session starts. It will make your skin numb for three to four hours. So, you will not feel any pain during the process. You can buy it even online.

One the piercing is done he will insert the jewelry using the end of the hollow needle. Few years back, people used a piercing gun. In that case, you would hear a rather shocking crunch. But now guns are to be avoided strictly.

It Might Be Rejected!

Lastly, you need to understand that even if you love your new cartilage piercing, there are chances for your body to react the opposite way. It can be due to allergies to the type of metal in your jewelry, infection, incorrect piercing placement, migration, etc.

If you suspect anything wrong, don’t delay and visit your doctor at the earliest.