Ok I have wanted this piercing for like a month and after a lot of begging my dad* let me get it. Moms are a lot harder to convince trust me. Anyway we went to TattooLous in WestBabylon NewYork which I suggest to anyone because they are more steril than a hospital. The girl who did the piercings name was Danielle and she was really cool about it. I don't know what you have heard about it but after what I read and what happened, it is way different. First she cleaned my ear and marked it after reviewing the exact placement I wanted, because I wanted it a little lower then she showed me. Next it was marked and she clamped it. Clamping sux, it feels like someone is pinching you with a really good grip or really small fingers. It does not hurt just pinch. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and in it went. It felt like a quick little pinch, I heard no cartilage crack, nothing like that. The second one does hurt a little more but not like an insane amount. You do not hear anycartilage crack or at least I didn't, but I think I heard a small pop. The pain is more about lasting 30 seconds through mediate pain, rather then waiting 3 seconds through excrutiating pain. I just got it today so I don't know what it is gonna be like, cleaning and sleeping wise but so far I love it. I suggest it to anyone because if you want it badly enough the pain won't be to bad. Just take a deep breath and keep thinkin to yourself how cool its gonna look. Worked for me.