I decided to get my ears pierced for the third time today. It all started when I started working a jewelry counter and my coworkers made fun of me for not being pierced. So, I decided to go ahead and do it. Today.
At A Glance Author Kelly Contact Kelly@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Bob Studio Gemini Tattoo Boutique, Inc Location Odenton, MD The first time I had it done years ago was in a piercing booth like Claire's where they used a gun. I was young enough I don't remember much, except that they become terribly infected going so far as to leave an indentation in the back of my lobe where the skin was literally eaten away. Years later we went to another piercing booth who refused to do it because of the scar tissue. So, when I was a teenage I did the whole "needle through the ear" trick. Except that (obviously) became infected terribly and I took those out, too.
After having read a lot of BME and related sites I decided it was time to go to a REAL professional. The Gemini Tattoo Boutique is very close to where I live and I figured a simple ear piercing would be hard to mess up for a professional.
When I first arrived a mother and daughter were there to get something done, but the daughter didn't have her ID on her and was turned away. There, I was greeted by an older man who checked my ID and had me fill out the appropriate paperwork stating I knew the risks, etc. That done, I waited a few minutes until Bob came to get me.
When Bob came out I warned him that I had a ton of scar tissue behind one ear and if that was going to be a problem he should let me know NOW instead of later. He told me it would not be a problem. I've long believed piercing scar tissue would cause some weird infection or growth of the scar tissue. I don't know why, I must have read it somewhere. Whatever the case, it has been what has kept me from getting my ears pierced for years and years. I only wish someone had told me the truth before! In truth, piercing scar tissue is not a big deal at all and was much less exciting or painful than I expected.
Thus assured, he led me into a very small back room with two chairs and a counter with various tools of the trade on them. I didn't see an autoclave or any other medical type sterilization equipment (not that I'd recognize it anyway!), but I trust that they were there given Bob's and the studio's long history. He used a prepackaged needle which he threw away when he was done.
First, he asked me what kind of piercing I wanted, and more specifically if I intended to stretch it or what (as the positioning apparently matters). I warned him again that I had a lot of scar tissue on my ears but he informed me this would NOT be a problem at ALL.
He first put on gloves and began preparing his tools for use. Most of them were already laid out. He chose the earrings (the loops with the balls in them seen most often in piercings other than ears). Seeing that my ear lobes were larger than expected he chose a slightly larger loop than he had laid out and prepared those for insertion. He marked my ears where the needle would go through, and applied some alcohol to my lobes. He finished sterilizing the jewelry and then clamped my most scarred lobe with forceps with a rubber band wrapped around them. On my shoulders were paper towels should and blood drip. He checked that I was comfortable and he had me breathe in and out and popped the needle through quickly and easily. Practically painlessly through the scar tissue and all. I'd read in other people's experiences that piercing scar tissue is more painful than through regular tissue but I did NOT find this to be true. After removing the needle he inserted the earring.< p> A minute later after dipping the needle into some kind of gel, he did the same to the other side a whole lot less painlessly, but just as easily. With that earring in he cleaned up my lobes with bactine and q-tips. With that, I was finished.
Before I left, I was given a sheet with information about how to take care of my piercings as well as being told orally what to do. Bob informed me I could come back and talk to him if I had any questions and gave me a mirror to check his work warning that they looked purple because of the pen he marked me with. They looked perfect.
The entire time he prepared for the piercing he talked to me about his experiences piercing as well as talking about this site. He was VERY kind, polite, and relaxing. There is no question that I would go back to him for ANY more piercings I choose to have.
If there was anything to convince me to definitely get more piercings done it would be Bob's professionalism and kindness. I went in shaking with fear (over a simple lobe piercing) and walked out relaxed and VERY happy. I DEFINITELY recommend going to Bob for piercings and will most assuredly be going back to him again after I choose my next piercing target.