Being only 17 it is impossible to get anything done without a parent's consent. Add this to the fact that my mother abhors piercings and I'm pretty much shit out of luck. After being on bme for quite some time I tried to find some piercing that my mom would approve of and soon stumbled on the "ear" section of the site. They all seemed so awesome...and I couldn't decide. I finally narrowed it down to three choices, 2 transverse lobes, a helix orbital, or a 5 mm outer conch. I was still hesitant on which one I wanted so I went to Kutter's Edge to talk to one of the piercers.
At A Glance Author shutupwhore Contact kissmeimsxe@attbi.com When A month ago Artist Kathi Studio Kutter's Edge Location Canonsburg, PA Kutter's Edge is a relatively new shop, but it has quickly gained popularity. They are clean, respectful, and just all around cool people. I've gotten jewelry from there several times and almost all of my friends have done some business with them.
It took about a week for my mother to agree, but I didn't want to do it right away. I needed to meet my piercer and discuss a few things, as I wanted my first real piercing to be a good experience.
When I got down there, there was someone paying at the counter. I looked at some jewelry and waited my turn. When they were done, I introduced myself to the piercer/owner Kathi, and began to explain what I wanted. I started out by telling her about the transverse lobe. She knew what it was right away, and I was glad because that was the one I was really pushing for. Then I mentioned the orbital and she asked me questions on placement and size. Then, having some doubt in my mind, I asked if they did dermal punches. She said no. I felt somewhat relieved because I don't think I am quite ready for that one.
So then it was down between the orbital and the lobes. She explained to me the pros and cons of each and I even had her check out my anti-tragus to make sure the lobe was possible. She said mine was perfect. Then I asked about prices. That was pretty much the deciding factor. If I could afford 2, I would get the lobes but if they were expensive, I would settle for the orbital. She told me all of their cartilage piercings are $40 and she would only charge me $15 for the second one. She said it is usually $25 for the second but for the transverse it would only be $15. That pretty much made up my mind. I told her that I would be back the next day to get the piercings. My friend, who was with me, was a bit weary of the pain factor but I told her "Pain is relative." and Kathi had to laugh and agree.
The next day is the day of the piercing appointment. At 7 AM I already felt nervous. I was due down there somewhere between 4:30 and 5 PM and I felt like I would never make it. After school I lounged and then ate something so I didn't pass out, I got the digital camera ready and headed up the street, with my mother in tow.
I got there and they were closed.
I was very upset but a tad relieved since I was so nervous. Later that night my friend drove past and called me telling me that they were open, but by that time my mother was gone. Then the next day. Again I drove past at around 4 PM, and they were closed. But at about 6:30 I went past and they were open. (hint : look at the shops hours before you try to go). Well I went home and got everything I needed and went back up.
I walked in and reminded her that I was there for the transverse lobes and she remembered. I got the papers and my mom filled them out, giving her my ID and birth certificate and my mother's ID. She asked if I was ready and we went back. The room was more of a cubicle, but very nice and clean. I sat down in the chair and she began preparing everything. At about this time I got an audience. As well as my friend being there, two other boys from school as well as her apprentice decided to watch. Kathi began prepping my ear and I began to get nervous. Everyone is always so impressed with the many pairs of gloves the piercer goes through, and I can not disagree...it was quite impressive. After my ear was cleaned, she measured the jewelry for my ear. She decided a 20 mm 14 g barbell would be the best. During this time we talked about Dubya and Michael Jackson...it really helped to calm me down. (I was still very nervous) She didn't make dots (I wouldn't have been able to see them anyway) but asked me where I wanted them. I pointed to where I wanted them and she agreed on placement. She then checked for veins or nerves in both ears, and didn't find any.
She then said she was going to begin. She decided to go up through the lobe...I don't know if that is standard, but she did. Every experience I've read said the pain was horrible. It wasn't that bad. I felt a pinch at the beginning and one at the end, but I didn't even realize she had gone through the anti-tragus. I was waiting for her to and she stepped back because it was done. Since she used a larger needle, putting the jewelry in was completely painless. There was a small amount of blood which she cleaned off before moving to the other ear. The second one hurt a bit more, but it wasn't anything horrible. I was surprised at the lack of pain. I didn't yell out, or even shed a tear. I made a "squishy face" as can be seen in my pictures, but that's the extent. When they were both done I got up to admire them in the mirror.
They looked awesome. I think the right one is a tad further back, but it is near impossible to tell unless you are studying them. Aftercare is the pretty basic stuff, but I'll be adding in sea salt soaks just to keep them happy. I paid and tipped Kathi and got some pictures taken and then was on my way.
It was a bit difficult sleeping for the next few nights, but I was prepared for that. I took that into account when I decided to get them both done on the same night so I had no one to blame but myself. By arranging a series of pillows, I was able to sleep rather comfortably. I got them done on a Thursday night and by that Sunday they felt fine. It was about that time where they began to get extremely itchy and developed red blotches. I knew this wasn't normal and figured it was an allergy to the metal or latex or something. I went down the next chance I got and had Kathi look at them. She said that it was dermatitis, and a reaction to something...either the jewelry or something she had used to clean my ears. She told me to use hydro-cortisone cream sparingly for the next 5-7 days and then stop when it became clear. She told me that if it came back, it was an allergy to the metal and we would change the jewelry. Well it has been about a week and the redness and itchi ness is gone, and hasn't come back yet, so it wasn't the jewelry. My ears are almost completely pain free and easy to clean. I'm overjoyed that I went through with this and my first professional experience was a great one. If anyone is in the Canonsburg area (Though I don't know why you would be...Kutter's Edge is a great place).
An Additional three points I would like to make, that helped me keep this experience positive...
1)Don't rely on what other people said about pain. You will never know until you try it yourself. And pain is relative, it will go away.
2)Think about how the piercing will affect your sleeping. I thought long and hard about if I wanted them separately or at the same time. Even though I sleep on my side, I wanted to get it over with. You will have to adjust your sleeping patterns or position, but it is well worth it.
3)Get to know your piercer before-hand, or at least meet them. Go in and talk over your procedure a few days before. This will help in calming you (it is a lot easier to be poked by someone you know, rather than a stranger) and it can help to spot any problems before you are all psyched up.
Thanks for reading and happy holes!