It was 2 years before I ever thought of getting my ears pierced at a size larger then 16g, that I had ever heard of different sizes of holes. At first I didnt really care, but then my whole lifestyle changed and I wanted to change my outward appearence too. The thought of getting my ears done at 14 to start off with floated in and out of my mind until one day I noticed that my hairstylist person had hers done too. I asked her about her experience, mostly the pain factor. Although, from other experiences, I knew that body piercing didnt really hurt, was more of a " sensation", in the back of my mind I was terrified of pain. I think its cuz I went the piercing gun route twice, and we all know that thats NOT the way to go!!! She assured me that it didnt hurt, and told me about the place that she got hers done ( Ancient Expressions). She said she had been to Tony for numerous other things and had never had a bad experience with him, and everything had always turned out well ( good sign)!
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon Artist TONY Studio Ancient Expressions Location Peterborough Ont A few weeks later I checked out the shop that she had mentioned and talked to Tony and the guys that are always chilling on the sofas at Ancient Expressions. Everything looked great ( it was clean, private, yet friendly and open and the guys were all super cool) but I didn't want to get them done right then cuz I thought I needed a friend to come with me so I could squeeze their hand, as I was expecting pain ( one of the hugest misconceptions of body piercings I find).
Later that week when I had a friend with me, we stopped by the shop, and poor Sarah( my friend) had no idea what was going on, she had never heard of getting holes by anything other then a piercing gun :( Tony led me back to the room and told me to hop up on to the bed thingy. I made Sarah come back with me so I could hold her hand. I don't know who was more nervous Sarah or I ? *L* I know Sarah didn't watch .
Anywho, Tony went through the normal procedure that any piercer should do, showing that all the tools etc were sterile, and /or new and explained the whole process. First he cleaned the lobe area and then he then marked the place he would put the wholes and I had him change them slightly because they are my second set of holes ( my others are just regular 16g) A few deep breaths, and I almost broke Sarah's hand from squeezing so hard, and I felt a lil' prick, not really pain, but more of a "sensation"( like I said before) that is really awesome and Tony announced that he had done the first ear. I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief and let him do the other ear with much confidence. I'd say the most annoying/unlikable part is when he was trying to put the bead in the ring, because there was a little bit of tugging, but nothing big ! That was it ! He told me the aftercare, just to rinse with soap and water, I payed him, and left with a really huge smile on my face.
Soon after I left the shop, my ears began to burn like they were on fire ,and felt like they were swollen and huge ( they werent), I mean I DID just stick a huge piece of metal into my body right? But a few Tylonol later I was fine and good to go. Sleeping was a little tough but not intolerable. Since then I've had no problem healing, and have slowly brought those 14g babies up to 10's ( not huge, *I know, but hey- ) and we will see where we end up in the future =)
Of course I would very highly suggest to anyone to get their lobes ( or ANYthing) done by a professional, never ever use those nasty guns ! *yuck* Im ever so glad I got 14g's first ( Though as u progress, jewelry becomes expensive), and I am very proud of them!!
Before getting any sort of mod done, I would highly recommend that you research the procedure so that you know what to expect. Also it is always a super idea to drop by the studio where you are going to be going and get to know the people, at least I find that the piercer / percee (?) Relationship is very important and special. Before hand ask about how/what the are going to do and make sure the place measures up to your standards and your not getting any bad vibes. Ask any questions you have, because this could save you from getting into something scary :(