It all started innocently enough, I was 3 and decided I wanted my ears pierced. After that, it just kind of grew. It wasn't until I was 16 that I got my first non-gun piercing (it was a 10g conch), which has come and gone. But now I'm on the track to getting every ear piercing I have ever wanted. My last piercing, coincidently the one this is about, was a 12g inner conch, which happened yesterday (Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2002).
At A Glance Author Emily Kay* Contact almostfadedstars@aol.com When It just happened Artist Jason, I think Studio 23rd Street Body Piercing Location Oklahoma City, OK Leading up to the decision to get a new hole, I always get anxious, edgy and just all around antsy. I have so much body jewelry now, that I have started to re-use it to save money because I literally have to look under couch cushions (even the ones at the doctor's office, but that's another story...) to get enough money to be pierced.
Finally Tuesday I had enough money! After deciding on a placement before hand, I walked into an empty studio (the best kind, no wait), signed my life away in blood and then we were off the back room to get the deed done. I usually get my piercings done on Saturdays and my usual piercer is Henry, but I knew that since I was going in on a week day that he probably wouldn't be there, which is why I almost decided to try another shop in town. I decided not too because I knew that all the piercers at 23rd Street are APP approved and they are state licensed (something to ALWAYS look for), why take the chance with someone else?? Not with my ears...
I don't think Jason, my piercer (I think that's his name...) has done many conch piercings before, but that's OK, everyone needs practice sometime, and better on someone who can handle the little bit of extra pain involved that someone who can't.
Back to my story... After marking my ear and deciding on vertical or horizontal placement (I chose horizontal so the CBR I would eventually get for it would lay right), I was time for me to lie down. This is when I try to calm down and find that place where pain isn't bad but refreshing and pleasing. I was asked to take a deep breath and exhale slowly, being pierced upon exhale.
The actual piercing part was not bad at all, lots of pressure and the weird squeak sound (which I usually don't hear, I guess because its usually done faster than he did it). It wasn't until the jewelry insertion that is started to get painful. After the initial pierce, he asked if I was okay, I told him that I was. As he was getting ready to insert the jewelry, he said, "You took that like a champ, most people squirm and stuff." Squirm?!? There is a needle a sticking out of your ear (or other body part) why would you want to MOVE? My advise on this one, don't move, it could hurt...
The most painful part, as I alluded to earlier was the removal of the needle and insertion of the jewelry, I don't really know why it hurt so much this time (I'm thinking it was because he didn't have much experience with the piercing), but what was I to say? Leave the needle in? So closed my eyes and thought happy thoughts.
I almost went to another studio in the Oklahoma City area to get it done, but I'm glad I decided to go to 23rd street, they have an awesome staff and I KNOW they are clean, so please, go somewhere with I reputation, if there's a new studio in town ask around about it, or just go take a impromptu tour, if you think its clean enough, get something done and tell other people about it, I'm usually a thrifty person, but I don't want to sacrifice my heath to save a few bucks, its just not worth it.
When I got home that evening, my mom looked at my ear and said she didn't know why I don't these things to myself, but it wasn't for her to know, she guessed. I really like that analogy, if you don't know why someone does something, it's not for you to know why or worry about.
Almost 24 hrs has passed since I got my conch pierced and it still is giving me some problems, it didn't bleed much at all, which I am grateful for, but is hurts really bad. When Jason pushed the needle through and put the jewelry in he pulled on my ear pretty bad and I think it's bruised! I hate when that happens because you have to be really careful (esp. with ear piercings) because any move of your head can be very painful.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, if you have any questions, feel free to email or IM at Almostfadedstars or Punk4christ7 *@aol.com. I leave you with this quote:
My body is a temple, its just adorned. –me
Emily Kay*