It's like being licked on by kittens XD
A friend of mine has hers done and she reckons it was bare-able. I wouldn't get it done now if your DD is at that pulling jewelry stage tho. My DS loves earrings at the moment.

Funny you mention about the cartilage of your ears being pearced with a needle. I had one done with a needle had had nothing but problems with it. The other four with the gun and they are all a-ok. I've since taken three out, (for no reason other than the fact DH bought these really cute diamond earrings for me that sit there really well XD) but I'm still able to get two back in. Funnily enough the needle one is the one that closed up.