How to numb your cartilage before piercing?

Are you planning to pierce your cartilage but scared of the pain? Fear not, for we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to numb your cartilage before piercing. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced pro, these tips are sure to help ease the discomfort of getting pierced. So sit back, relax, and let’s get started!

Why Do People Get Piercings?

People get piercings for various reasons- some do it as a form of self-expression while others do it for cultural or religious reasons. Whatever your reason may be…we support you! But before going under the needle, make sure you’ve done enough research on aftercare and know what type of jewelry suits your skin best.

The Importance Of Numbing Your Cartilage Before Piercing

Getting any part of your body pierced can cause significant amounts of pain [1]. And cartilage piercings are no exception – they require additional care compared to other types because cartilages take longer time[s] to heal than regular soft tissues [2]. That’s why numbing becomes necessary BEFORE piercing takes place.

Types Of Anesthesia Used In Piercing Shops

Piercers use different types of anesthesia depending on their preference and client’s tolerance level. Below are several kinds available:

Lidocaine:

It is commonly utilized by doctors owing to its rapid effect in small doses (5-10 milligrams per kilogram) or applications [3].

Benzocaine:

Some prefer topical cream containing benzocaine that serves as local anesthesia prior to incision making/tissue alteration provided certain requirements (minimal concentration should be at least 6%). Typically it needs minimum contact time greater than twenty minutes after application which means periodical checks need considering comfortability levels throughout operations[4].

Tacrine hydrochloride gel:

Some studies indicate that tacrine hydrochloride gel put over skin for thirty minutes before piercing helps reduce patient’s pain levels[5].

DIY Methods To Numb Your Cartilage

If you’d rather numb your cartilage at home, there are different methods to do so. Let’s delve into them:

Use Ice Cubes

Ice is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to numb any part of your body[6] – including cartilage. All you have to do is wrap some ice cubes in a cloth and hold it against the area for around 20 minutes before piercing.

Use Over The Counter (OTC) Creams

Most pharmacists keep numbing creams like lidocaine or benzocaine which could be useful in reducing pain when used before puncturing a region by following instructions on package carefully. This can be especially helpful if there is no time/means available immediately prior [7].

Take NSAIDs

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Ibuprofen have been proven to help manage pain caused by piercing in various research publications.[8]
Make sure you follow recommended dosages and take medication well ahead of time (minimum two hours beforehand)[9].

Natural Remedies

There are several natural remedies people swear by but always take precautions as reactions differ case-to-case:
– Clove oil has been proved beneficial owing anesthetic properties however choosing proper dilution ratios critical here.[10]

Safety Precautions: What To Keep In Mind

Piercings—regardless of where they’re located—are medical procedures with inherent risks involved.Some potential side effects include bacterial infections, scarring etc [11]. That’s why it’s essential NOT TO TAKE THEM LIGHTLY! If possible, only get piercings from professionals who use sanitary practices during these operations.

Here are some safety precautions should be taken against infections before getting a cartilage piercing:

Choose Your Piercer Wisely

Find out if the piercers you’ve shortlisted are licensed by the government’s health ministry and whether they get regular inspections.

Changing Jewelry? Keep It Clean!

After piercing, its crucial to let area heal first before attempting an earring switch. However if changing jewelry is necessary make sure new earrings or studs sterile. Application of saline solution can help keep infected regions clean as well [12].

Conclusion

Piercings have become increasingly widespread due to their aesthetic appeal over recent years.
Whichever method described above works best for numbing your cartilage, ensure that your aftercare is SOPHISTICATED! Be aware and take care of infection-prevention practices religiously!
Ensure anything inserted into flesh remains secure itself not having any unintended motion within; additionally avoid exposing wound sites irrelevant things such as cosmetics etc until injuries clear up…basically BE SAFE-AND LOOK GOOD DOING IT!

References:

1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047876/
2)https://www.laurenslipglossary.com/how-to-take-care-of-a-cartilage-piercing/
3)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214316920300999
4) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jovs.12016
5)www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/J354v06n02_01
6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23687353/
7)http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/io38630454)
8)htt ps ://w

ww.fda.g ov/drugs/information-drug-class/nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids#types-of-nsaids
9)https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/how-long-does-it-take-for-ibuprofen-to-work
10)https://nationaleczema.org/cloves/
11)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2680545
12) https :// w ww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6714663/.