Cartilage Piercing at “The End is Near” in Brooklyn

I wanted a cartilage piercing for quite some time and I decided to get it done at The End Is Near in South Slope, Brooklyn.

When I was doing my research, I read that getting an ear cartilage piercing takes a long time heal and it should be done by someone really experienced, preferably at a tattoo parlor, rather than at a mall. The problem with ear guns used at malls are that (1) although the stud is sterile, the gun is rarely disinfected, (2) the force of the piercing can shatter cartilage, and (3) the people administering the piercing are unlikely to be very experienced.

The End is Near is well-rated and is considered to be worth the price. There are definitely some sketch parlors out there, so be very careful and choosy when it comes to getting your piercing.

Adam handled my piercing that day and he was really nice and super thorough at answering my questions. The procedure only lasted five minutes, but I was in the shop for close to a good hour, filling out paperwork, showing proof of my age, competency (not under the influence of drugs or alcohol), and going over aftercare instructions.

Before getting the piercing, Adam asked me a few basic questions about my lifestyle and habits so he could mark where the best place to pierce on my ear. He asked if I wore glasses, like pulling my hair back, and which side do I sleep on. For my friend, Emily, who wears glasses, he suggested to place the piercing where the frame won’t hit her ear. He really takes everything into account, but ultimately, it’s really up to you.

What to Look For in a Good Parlor:

– NEEDS TO BE CLEAN. If it looks gross or questionable, LEAVE.

– Piercer takes the time to answer your questions and talks you through the entire process, beginning to end

– They STERLIZE EVERYTHING: wash hands, wears gloves, changes gloves consistently, disinfects chair, cleans piercing area, etc.

– The stud/earring itself needs to be sterile. You can tell, since it’s supposed to come in it’s own unopened package.  Make sure the piercer handles the stud with gloves.

– If you are allergic to certain metals like I am, SPEAK UP. I was lucky that this place only carries titanium studs, which are apparently made by the same medical manufacturers as artificial hip joints and surgical nails.

– Piercer explains and provides thorough aftercare instructions, including the aftercare solution. For me, it was a package of sea salt that I could mix with distilled water at home.

– Parlor provides contact info to answer any questions or concerns. Since Adam knew I was going back to LA, he even referred me to some of his friends back there to talk to me if I needed any help.

The “Aftercare Guide” for piercings. The bag is filled with sea salt. Salt water is a natural way to anti-bacterially treat a healing wound.

Overall, I love my piercing and had the most relaxing and easy experience getting it done. I have no troubles so far and honestly, this was far less painful than getting my earlobe piercing in 7th grade. Some people have a lot of blood vessels and nerves bunched along their ear, so the pain and discomfort really ranges depending on the individual.

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Note: If you are curious, this place had a “$$$” rating on Yelp, so I was not surprised when I had to pay $90 for everything. Tip is included. I felt the price was justified, since they were so good at delivering exactly what I wanted and made sure that the entire experience was worth my business. I am extremely content with my piercing and if I am ever back in the area, might just get another one!