Three days ago I walked into a tattoo parlor to get my very first piercing done. I talked it over with my mother the day before so we went in semi-prepared. What I wanted was a barbell [industrial piercing] which would bring the top of my ear to a tip to give it a pixie/elf ear effect. Peter, my piercer, did an excellent job. Although there is a slight difference, the angle and placement of the holes are not exactly the same on both ears. I am still very happy with it.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Peter Studio Naked Al's Location Bakersfield, California I had my very first piercing done at Naked Al's in Bakersfield by an artist called Peter, He works primarily at Mad Dogs in Bakersfield but seemed to be filling in for Naked Al's. Mom explained to Peter what I wanted to have done, she called it "Pixie ears", he called it industrial. But apparently he had never used industrial piercing placements to give a persons ears the effect of an Elf or Pixie's ears. I still don't really know what to call it. 70 (Seventy) dollars to have both ears done.
Before I explain how the actual piercing went, I'd like to say that I didn't know then if Peter had ever done industrial piercings, I still don't. I've read here at bme that it's a real art and a lot of piercers screw up so you should really shop around before having somebody do it for you, as with any other piercing and/or tattoo. Check out the artists portfolio and ask his/her victims about his/her quality of work first.
Sitting in the chair while Peter got my jewelry and piercing equipment ready he asked me to realise that having the barbell fold the top of my ear to a point would put a lot of pressure on it so it would be very uncomfortable for awhile. He talked to me more about the jewelry and the necessary warnings. I understood. So he asked me to show him where I'd like the holes to be and to demonstrate the degree of crease that would give my ear the pointed tip. He then got out his marker and started to study and line up the marks. Once he was done marking he handed me a small mirror to see for myself where the holes would be, I was satisfied.
He started with the right ear first, asked me to take a deep breath and then exhale as he pierced. It didn't feel any pain which I was amazed at. I couldn't see what he was doing, I just felt hands along my ear and pressure when he pushed the needle through to make two holes in my ear. The pressure felt like pushing a needle through leather. He fit the barbells on and handed me the mirror, It looked perfect! He then pierced the other ear and fit the barbells. It didn't hurt me at all, and wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, I hardly felt either of the wounds with the exception of the top left hole which caused a faint, sharp pain during the piercing. It was over before I knew it and it looked great! The first piercing experience went so well, I'm sure I'll be back to get poked and fitted with more foreign steel.
After it was done the whole parlor came to see my ears as they all thought it looked pretty damned 'wicked'. Peter sent someone out to buy a camera so he could take a picture of it for his portfolio but his friend couldn't find one. Peter asked me to come by his shop, Mad Dogs, the next day where he would have a camera waiting.
I was instructed to clean my wounds at least TWICE a day with liquid ANTI-BACTERIAL soap and NOTHING ELSE. NO alcohol, sea salts, hydrogen peroxide et cetera. Just the soap. So, that's what I've been doing. I heard that it's not good to twist or try to move your ear along the bar bell because it just pushes bacteria inside. I only move it while I'm cleaning so I think I'm doing good for it. We'll find out. It's been three days and it's expectedly sour. I'm allergic to most jewelry, I sometimes have reactions to hypoallergenic jewelry as well so I'm on the edge every day hoping I don't wake up with a nasty infection.
Yesterday I had the picture taken at Mad Dogs. Everybody seems to like it a lot. Which is real nice. I'm sure my pixie ear idea has been done before this way, but I haven't seen it and where I live it's pretty fricken rare to find. So, I'm satisfied with what I chose for my first piercing. It's more fun than the oh so tired navel or tongue piercing. Go me, four holes in one day.