I had never been interested in piercing in any form as I was growing up. I know plenty of mums who have their little girls ears pierced from as young as possible but my parents are of the 'it's your body you have the right to choose what you do to it' school of thought. Anyway a friend of mine had 2 lobe piercings and one was slightly offline and caused her problems. She asked me if I would come with her to get it re-pierced, next thing you know I was in the chair getting mine (lobes) done too! This was with a gun which I now regret after having recent piercings done the proper way with a needle, anyway needless to say from this point on I was hooked and wanted my upper cartilage done too as soon as possible.
At A Glance Author R When Six months ago Artist Carl Studio Bodz (Now Fallen Angel) Location Liverpool, UK When searching for information on the do's and don'ts of cartilage piercing on the internet I stumbled across BME and was amazed at its quality of content! I read every cartilage experience story I could to try and build up what it would be like. It was this that made me realise how bad the piercing guns are and how they should NOT be used for piercing anything other than an earlobe. This is a discovery I'm glad I made sooner rather than later.
It after about 2 months of research (I always take a while to decide things, I'm hardly spontaneous) I decided I was ready for my piercing. I knew already where I wanted to go to get it done, Bodz in Liverpool (now known as Fallen Angel) I had visited before (although I didn't get pierced myself) and found the staff to be very friendly and the whole studio to be clean, calm and very professional.
I had an afternoon start at university and decided I would use this to my advantage to get pierced. I arrived at the studio to a smiling Shirley, I told her what I wanted doing and Carl (the piercer) approached and took a look at my ear. He said everything would be fine! They had a pervious booking before they could pierce me and I was asked if I had eaten, I had breakfast but as it was now lunch time it was advised that I leave for about 45mins and get something to eat, so off I popped for a bag of chips. I was eager to get pierced so I went back with 5-10 mins early! Shirley chatted to me asking me about my university studies and I admired the different jewellery they had in their display cabinets. After about 5 mins Carl emerged and asked if I was ready to come through to the piercing area, of course I was so off I went. I had been asked if I wanted a barbell or a ring to which I replied ring, I took my coat off and popped myself up onto the bed/chair thingy whilst Carl w ashed his hands thoroughly.
As Carl was preparing he asked me if I had ever been professionally pierced before to which my reply was no, he told me I was going to love this experience as it gives you a high that nobody can take away! His talking and explaining of every detail including aftercare made me feel relaxed and calm as I had begun to feel a bit nervous. We then spoke about placement and asked me where I'd like to be pierced, looking through the mirror I choose a spot on the upper part of my cartilage.
I sat back in the chair and relaxed as much as I could. Carl was explaining all the time what he was doing and how it would feel. As he was getting ready to pierce he suddenly told me to wiggle the toes on my left foot and then when he said change to do the same with the right foot! I thought this was to take my mind off the piercing and let me tell you it works. I began wiggling toes, then I changed foot and before I knew it was all over and id felt a small pinch! I could hardly distinguish between needle going through and then the jewellery being inserted! I'm not saying it was pain free but like I said a pinch would be the best way to describe it, certainly not enough to make you yell out or cry!! I took one look in the mirror and I was in love! It looked great and I was very pleased. I told Carl and Shirley I'd be back (and I have been) I got a sticker for being brave at Bodz and went straight to university with a spring in my step. The healing period went really well an d I was given an information sheet with all details on how to clean and look after my piercing, Carl had also explained this in detail before piercing me. I was also given a mobile number to ring if I had any major problems and told I could also return to the studio if I was unsure if anything. I followed the instructions and everything was fine.
So to anyone wanting their upper cartilage pierced I say go for it but remember to get it done properly rather than with a gun.