Snug?!..forsure!

At A Glance Author *Lyla* Artist Todd Studio Silver Daisy Location Bracebridge, Ontario

I don't know how I ended up getting the idea that I wanted another piercing. It had been about 3 and a half years since my last (navel when I was 13) and I guess I decided that it was time to get another.

I think it was after seeing this site that I found the simple piercing I wanted. That was about 3 months ago and I ended up getting my tragus pierced. I really loved that piercing when I got it, and still do, but after about 2 months I wanted something new. So I started searching through the pictures once more. I found myself, again, looking in the ear piercing section. I really liked the look of the snug piercings and also the rook, so I called up my piercer and told him I was ready to come back.

Since I live in such a small town (population 9,000), I didn't have very much choice on which studio/piercer to go to. I actually don't even have a piercer in my own town so I drive to the next. This isn't really a problem for me though because all the experiences i've had with that piercer (Todd), are good!

There has never been a problem with my age in his studio. I'm 17 and he doesn't ask for parents signature or anything. He does ask if your parents know about it, and usually takes your word for it. I guess if he really had any doubts he would get you to call from the studio or something but he's such a nice guy that everyone seems to respect him and tell the truth anyway (I think!).

A few days later I found myself exactly where I wanted to be, in the back room, ready to get pierced. I still hadn't decided whether or not I wanted the rook or the snug but after a bit of thinking, and a few change of minds, and some input from my friend, I went with the snug.

I was familiar with the procedures since it had only been about a month and a half since I was there last. I waited patiently while Todd set-up. Soon enough he was ready, and so was I. I wasn't really nervous or anything when I got it, I was actually glad to be back!

I hopped up onto the table thing that Todd uses for piercing and lay down on my back. He usually has the side thats being pierced farthest away from him, so he reaches over your face. I guess he feels he gets a better grip this way or something. Next, he cleaned my ear with a Q-tip inside and out. He put a paper towel down beside my head to rest the ring on so it was right there and ready for him when he needed it. The ring was sitting in a cleaning solution on one side of the paper towel and on the other was his tools. Before doing any piercing he got out his marker. I told him where I wanted it and he lined up the marking. Once again, before getting the needle out, he took this little flashlight to check around the area for any vains that might be in the way. He found one that he didn't want to pierce through so he had to move the marking down a bit, this didn't really bother me too much. I kind of wanted the piercing higher but, safety is definately more of an issue. He erased the old marking and made the new one. I went over to the mirror and examined the new marking, "alright, lets do it!" I Hopped back up on the table and got cleaned again. Todd changed his gloves and got everything in its place. Not even one second went by and the needle was through, and right after, the ring was through too. He kind of has big hands so getting the ball back on the ring is a little bit of a hassle but he can usually do it without too many problems.

I'm not really sure where everyone gets the idea that snug piercings are the most painful. Honestly, i didn't think it hurt me at all. There was obviously the awkward feeling of having something pushed through your skin, but I wouldn't call it pain. Just a little pinch. I was so surprised when I read some of the experiences and how much they thought it hurt. I guess that really shows how its different for everyone.

After the piercing was done and the ring was on I got up and went to the mirror again, I was very pleased with the results! I was actually glad that the piercing ended up being placed a little lower because the way that it sat was really nice, the ring lay right in this little groove and looked really good.

When I got back home I came on the site and started searching through the glossary and other things to get more info. I'm sure it would've been better to do this before getting the piercing but, I was too excited then! The only things I found that gave me some worry were, hearing that snug piercings are not for everyone (why?, i don't know) and that the piercing should be done with a barbell right away.

So now its been about 3weeks since i've had my snug. After a few days into having the piercing it got very swolen, pretty much unrecognizable from the other ear, but I just kept doing the regular sea salt soaks, and daily cleanings and after about 3 or 4 days the swelling went down a lot. Its still swolen a little and a little bit tender too, but thats all normal for cartiledge piercings. I haven't had any other problems with it and things seem to be heading in a good direction. I guess I was the kind of person that this piercing was right for, hopefully.

I can't wait to get the barbell in! And I really like the look of a double snug with barbells...so who knows what will come next.

So, just as a little note, although its good to have knowledge on the piercing your getting and to read other peoples experiences, make sure not to read the experiences and expect them to be the exact same for you. Like I mentioned above, its going to change for each new person. For me, it didn't hurt at all and i'm just a little 17 year old, but for some grown men, who have like 20 piercings, its been the most painful. Maybe i'm just tough..hahah!! But really, I would definatley say that the snug piercing is a great piercing to have, and if you've been thinking about it, hopefully reading this has given you some positive ideas. Thanks a lot!!

*Lyla*