The decision to get my upper conches dermal punched was pretty much not going to happen. The city I live in is rather behind in the body modification times and most every shop here is basically a tattoo shop where the tattoo artists have decided to start piercing as well. Not only is this completely stupid if you ask me, but I believe that one should either pierce or tattoo. So much goes into them that it would be impossible to master both. I am not saying that there are no good piercers that also tattoo, but here in Boise Idaho, there isn't. Unless you want you ear lobe pierced or your tongue done there isn't a piercer here that I found that can do it. I know this because I did my homework and no one even knew what a dermal punch was, and when I explained it to them, they said it was not a good idea to take that much flesh out at once, and that needles were the only way to go.
At A Glance Author outspun Contact outspun@hotmail.com When Three months ago Artist Nicc Studio New Moon Tattoo Location Boise Idaho Then I went to New Moon Tattoo, which is a tattoo shop, but they have piercers there too. And they only pierce. This is where I met Nicc. He has been to several workshops and conventions and has trained with the best. He also keeps up with all of the newest procedures and not only did he know about dermal punches, he had done many piercings using them. Finally I found someone who could do my upper conches, and I would say that Nicc is probably the most experienced piercer in Boise, if not Idaho. So I set up an appointment to see him and met with him the next day.
New Moon Tattoo is the cleanest shop I have been in, and the staff there are all very professional. Nicc took me back to his studio and we talked about what I wanted. He did some measuring and checked out the anatomy of my ears to see what would be best for me. We decided on 6 gauge in the upper conch area. He ordered the jewelry and a week later I was back and in ready to go. Nicc sat me down and discussed in detail exactly what he would be doing and what the dermal punch procedure entailed. I had heard and read a lot about them and it relaxed me when it seemed he knew exactly what he was doing. He got all of the equipment ready and called me back. The room was totally sterile and everything was laid out and ready. I was getting a little nervous as I had heard about the pain and blood that comes with dermal punching. Nicc started me on my breathing and told me what was going to happen. The breathing relaxed me and Nicc begun marking the area and checking for plac ement so that it would not go through any large nerves or veins. After he was satisfied of the placement, and after my approval he was ready for the first one.
He placed the punch into my ear and told me that he was going to have me breathe in and out and on the third exhale he would go. On the third exhale I felt the most pressure and pain I think I had ever felt. It was a lot different than the feeling of a needle piercing something. It wasn't as bad as my dydoes, but close. I could feel the punch cut into the flesh and the be twisted as it passed through the cartilage. However, in a matter of seconds it was over and the punch was through. My ear burned. Then Nicc removed the punch and the blood started to flow. He let it bleed out a little before placing the jewelry in. After the jewelry was placed, he cleaned the ear up a little and got ready for the second ear.
The same procedure took place on the other ear. All new equipment was used, new gloves were put on and we were ready. I started breathing and on the third exhale the punch was put through. this ear seemed to not hurt as bad, though I am sure it was because of the adrenaline and endorphins kicking in. He pulled the punch out, let it bleed out and placed the jewelry. I finally had my 6 gauge dermal punched conches.
Nicc cleaned me up and had me lay down for a while. After the bleeding had clotted and slowed to a stop, he went over the after care procedure, made sure I was ok, and sent me on my way with instructions to go home and relax. He called me that night to make sure things were going well and had me come in a week later to check up on things. It has been three months and they have healed great. I get many compliments on them and they are probably my favorite piercing to date. I am planning on getting my lower conches done also.
As far as healing went, I did the salt soaks and kept my hands off them. The worse part of it was having to learn how to sleep on my back. Needless to say they were a bit sore for a while, and sleeping on them was tricky. Since dermal punches remove all of the cartilage and flesh, healing was fast and there was no complications. I won't have to worry about keloids either. Dermal punching is the only way to go when doing large gauge cartilage piercing. And if you are ever in the Boise area, look up Nicc at New Moon Tattoo. He is the most experienced piercer I have been too and he knows his stuff. You won't be disappointed.