Piercing addiction

At A Glance Author Hev Contact molluscstar@hotmail.com Artist Karl Studio Bodydecor Location Liverpool

When I was 16 years old and still at school, I wanted a discreet piercing, and so opted for my tragus (I'd already done the fingernail piercing thing myself, and the novelty soon wears off when they keep breaking!). I chose to go to Bodydecor because I knew someone who had had her lip and both nipples pierced there (they have a woman for intimate female piercings), and she'd told me how painless it was, and how nice Karl was. I went to see Karl (with the permission of my mum of course), and he did it so quickly and painlessly that I actually thought he was still adjusting the clamp! I was really nervous, as I'm scared of needled, and have the tendancy to faint when I even look at them, so I shut my eyes before he even started, and held my friends' hand tight! I never had any trouble with it at all. I also had my navel pierced in Bodydecor, and was once again extremely nervous. This time, Karl put some stuff inside my bellybutton to numb the nerves, and then told me to go away for an hour and eat something. When I went back he numbed the skin, and once again I didn't feel faint or anything!! That's been fine too - in fact, I'm going back to get the bottom (of my navel) done soon.

I had my Daith done in another place called the Palace, however, and it was foul! Foolishly I wasn't as scared this time because my other piercings had been so painless and healed well. However, the anasthetic didn't work, and the woman messed up, tried to ease the ring in, and then started all over again! The fact that I have a mild phobia of needles didn't help either. When the piercing was finished, my ear was covered with blood, which isn't meant to happen with any piercing, and just looked really horrible. It also hurt a hell of a lot too! Anyway, I've had it done for over 2 years now, and it's only just stopped getting infected. I was later informed that the piercer was not qualified (only owned half the buisness), and also that the piercing is too deep. The moral is: just because it's cheaper, doesn't mean you should go for it - you pay for quality. The fact that a daith piercing only cost £10 probably should have alerted me, but Bodydecor was shut, and I was desperate for a piercing, and so went ahead!

I also have my nose pierced, which was done with a gun in Manchester (which is illegal in England, as a woman was paralysed because of it), but that's been fine, despit me changing the stud to a ring after only a week! I also have numerous other ear-piercings, which are all cool, and so comfortable that I often forget that they're there! I was going to get my tongue done next, but both me and my friend dreamed on the same night that it got infected, so I'm opting for my next navel piercing instead. My boyfriend is annoyed as he hates piercings (I don't know why he's with me then!).

I enjoy taking my friends to get piercings done, and after Christmas will be taking one to get her eyebrow re-done, plus her tragus and nose, and am taking another friend to get her nipple pierced, which is strange, as she's really conservative normally, but i think it's great.

Piercing really is addictive, and great fun, but you have to look after them, as I've seen many scabby piercings due to lack of care. PLUS Bodydecor now have a loyalty system where you receive a card, and everytime you or a friend you take gets a piercing, you get a point. Once you have six points, you can have a free piercing of your choice, and only have to pay for the jewellery, which is cool. You also get a certificate, and if there's any left, a bravery lollipop! Next time you're in Liverpool, England, pay a visit to bodydecor!

Bodydecor is in Petticoat Lane, which is located off Bold Street in central Liverpool (city centre). Karl is lovely, and don't be alarmed if he's wearing a skirt! He's done all of his own piercings, and even has five rings through his tragus. He is also the only piercer in Liverpool to have done an apprenticeship. It may sound like I'm being payed to kiss his arse or something, and get them free advertising, but it really is a fantastic place, and very hygenic and professional, but extremely friendly at the same time.

Anyway, I've waffled on as much as I can now, so I hope to see anyone that has read this, and happens to be passing through Liverpool, England (don't anyone dare mention the Beatles!) in there getting pierced by the lovely Karl or one of his equally lovely assistants!