Cartilage piercings are a stylish way to elevate your ear game, but one of the most common concerns is the pain level—especially when deciding between a needle and a piercing gun. So, which method hurts more? Let’s break it down.

Needle vs. Piercing Gun: Which Hurts More?

1. Pain Level and Precision

• Needle: Professional piercers use a hollow, single-use sterilized needle, which creates a clean and precise hole. While you may feel a sharp pinch, the process is smooth and less traumatic to the tissue.

• Piercing Gun: A gun forces a blunt stud through the cartilage with pressure, causing more tissue trauma. This method tends to feel more like a sudden, intense pinch, and the impact can result in more pain and longer healing time.

👉 Verdict: A needle causes less pain overall because it smoothly punctures the cartilage rather than forcing it apart.

2. Healing and Aftercare

• Needle: Because the needle makes a clean cut, the piercing heals faster with fewer complications like bumps, irritation, or infections.

• Piercing Gun: The excess force can lead to crushed cartilage, making healing more difficult and increasing the risk of keloids and infections.

👉 Verdict: A needle is the safer option for proper healing and minimizing discomfort after the piercing.

3. Risk of Complications

• Needle: Piercing with a needle is done in a sterile environment with proper aftercare guidance, reducing the risk of infections.

• Piercing Gun: Guns are harder to sterilize, increasing the chance of introducing bacteria into the wound.

👉 Verdict: A needle is the preferred choice for minimizing risks.

DOVIANA’s Recommendation

At DOVIANA, we only use safe, sterile piercing needles for cartilage piercings. Our expert piercers ensure minimal discomfort and proper technique for the best results. We also offer a selection of 14k solid gold, and medical-grade titanium jewelry to help your piercing heal beautifully.

Come to DOVIANA New York stores for a free piercing consultation.

📍 SoHo Flagship Store (Check Google Map Profile)
Address: 174 Spring St, New York, NY, 10012 
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM

📍 West Village Store (Check Google Map Profile)
Address: 334 Bleecker St, New York, NY, 10014
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Book your appointment today and get your dream piercing with the safest method!