I just got my cartilage done a week ago. 3 in my right ear. I went to a place that was really clean and professional and I knew had a good rep for piercings (many of my friends had gone there, I'd even gone with a few of them). It went pretty well even though he didn't really ask a lot of questions or let me talk. I figured he knew what he was doing so it would be okay. He marked my ear and then said "okay, we're gunna do them really fast so it doesn't hurt as much". He had me breath in and then he'd punch when I'd breath out. It didn't REALLY hurt, but it was kinda intense. Putting the rings in hurt more than the actual needles... it "POP"ed everytime he put the ring through.It was great until 3-4 days later. It turns out he gave me REALLY aftercare instructions. Between that and the fact that he punch gauged them to 10's (which I DIDN'T ask him to do and he DIDN'T ask if it was okay if he did) they've gotten really infected. I've got much better aftercare and cleaning advice now. They don't hurt as much so I really hope they heal up.