Industrial piercing AND ear tattoo?

[TheBabyEater]

So, I want to have 10 piercings in my ears. A nice, round, even number. Right now I've got 7, two in each lobe, and a three spiral in my cartilage. I also kind of want 5 in each ear. I'm a tad bit OCD. Originally, I wanted an industrial in my left ear, and a third lobe piercing. But then I really wanted a tattoo of a music note on my ear. (I know, a bit done, but shut up.) So my plan then was to either get everything on my left ear lobes, (or low cartilage) and maybe a tragus piercing.

But I saw some of those spiral industrial piercings at the body jewelry place the other day, and I want one so bad!



So... I can't decide between the piercing and the tattoo. Would getting it behind the ear hurt a shitload cause it's on the skull? I assumed a cartilage tattoo would hurt about as bad as the piercing, idk much. Would behind the ear be too hidden since I have long hair?
I should think of that as a good thing though, since I want a job someday My other thought was literally on the back of the ear, but that's probably TOO hidden for my taste.


I'm also scared that an industrial and tattoo will just be too much... Could anyone like, idk draw or mock it up so I'd know?

[Nicole!]

I'm not too sure about the pain for a cartilage tattoo, but my artist said it felt like the needle was going all the way through (of course it really wasn't) so I imagine it would hurt like the piercing would.
I have music notes behind my ear and while the pain differs for everyone, it really wasn't bad at all for me. Probably my least painful tattoo so far.

[Audacious]

do not base your decision on pain. When the pain is gone, you won't even remember it. Go with what you WANT.