Before I first got pierced, I would hear people saying that it was addictive and I didn't really believe it, but I know firsthand that it is true. At school I would spend hours on the Web, checking out all types of body mod sites (BME is definitely the best, by the way).
At A Glance Author Bianca Contact princessbee21@hotmail.com When Six months ago Artist Carrie Studio Little Vinnie's Location Baltimore, Maryland Anyhow, I now have three piercings; my tongue, an industrial, and my tragus. I just got my tragus done about a week ago (I'll be sure to post that experience also). I decided to go for the industrial after I had fallen in love with the look of it and the fact that it's not all that common.
I always research my piercings well in advance, but never plan a specific day. I decided to return to Little Vinnie's, since I had a wonderful experience getting my tongue pierced. The studio is really clean and neat, and the people that work there make you feel comfortable and relaxed. I went in one rainy Saturday and surprisingly it wasn't that busy. I guess rain makes people rethink body mod...Anyway, I already knew Carrie and the layout of the studio so I was only feeling a little anxious.
So Carrie and I go back and I hop up on the table. As usual, she washes her hands, puts on her gloves and lays out all of her materials, explaining each one. Although I pretty much know the drill, it's still reassuring for her to take time out and explain everything. I get that familiar adrenaline rush that all of us "piercing pros" know about as she marks off the entry/exit points for both of the piercings. She tells me to take a deep breath and then does the first piercing as I exhale. This is the lower hole, and I swear I barely felt anything. It was a little uncomfortable when she put the ring in, but not intolerable.
Then she asks me am I ready for the second and I nod in agreement. I have to lean my head over a little further for this one, so that Carrie can have a better view. I didn't really think about the fact that this was a thicker and tougher portion of my ear that was about to be pierced, so I definitely wasn't ready for the sharp sting and the crunchy noise that I heard. It made me jump a little, and I could tell that Carrie had to use a little more force to get this needle to go through. Don't get me wrong, the pain wasn't unbearable, just worse compared to the first.
The jewelry that Carrie used was a captive bead ring for the lower hole and a small curved barbell for the upper hole. (I later learned from Dave, the new piercer, that it shouldn't have been done that way). Anyway, while Carrie is explaining aftercare to me, I can feel the blood running down from the upper hole. Apparently it was more traumatized than the lower hole because the lower hole didn't bleed at all.
Overall, the experience was about what I expected with a couple of minor drawbacks.
1.I got it done about six months ago and still haven't changed over to the barbell.
2.I found out from Dave when I went to get my tragus done that when you pierce with the captive bead ring and curved barbell instead of the straight barbell, it makes the hole be curved (duh, but who knew?), making it harder to insert the straight barbell.
3.I got a small keloid on the upper hole so I have to put Cortisone on it for about 2 weeks, then apply Vitamin E for 2 weeks to soften up the holes before i can change the jewelry.
I like my industrial, but hopefully after all this is taken care of I will fall in love with it like my other piercings (I love my tragus and I've only had it for a week!)
I love the attention I get from my piercings, but does it seem like a stupid question when people ask "did it hurt?" It's definitely not the worst feeling I can imagine, but I don't know too many people who actually say it feels good to have a sharp needle ripping through tender flesh at an awkward angle. I think it's funny that I love to get pierced, but I damn near come to tears when I have to get a shot at the doctor's office. I guess it's because nobody tells me that my SpongeBob band-aid is cute, but they love that piercing jewelry. Weird, isn't it!
Next I am considering getting either a vertical hood piercing or both nipples done. Thanks for listening, and feel free to contact me with any questions or to swap more stories.