I'll start out with all of the formalities usually reserved for this spot in an experience. I've wanted my lobes done for several years, probably about 10 years or so. Back then however, I had no interest in body piercing or tattoos because, well, I was 14 and it was before the "craze" took effect. Then, when it came time to finally adorn my lobes, I made a decision. I don't want captive bead rings, I don't want circular barbells, I want some plugs dammit. However, bear in mind that I cannot get "big" plugs because of my chosen career path. Unfortunately, it's not looked upon well to have big stretched lobes in the medical community, in fact it's not looked well upon to have any mods.
At A Glance Author Doldrums Contact Doldrums@bme.anon IAM Doldrums When It just happened Artist Kevin Studio Splash of Color Location East Lansing, MI So two days ago, I went to Splash of Color in East Lansing, where I've had two tattoos and my PA done. I trust every artist at Splash more than any other shop I've ever been in before. So I ask Kevin about putting plugs in healing lobes, he tells me no problem...let's do it. I told him right off the bad that I wanted to pierce at 8 gauge and stretch immediately to a 6 gauge plug and he said that he normally doesn't do that, but because I've become a fairly regular customer of the shop, that he would do it for me.
I then picked out my plugs from a choice of about 10 styles (single-flared, bullets, disks, etc), paid, and headed back to the piercing room with my new 6 gauge hollow plugs with two O-rings (decided against the single-flared, dunno why). As always the room was immaculately clean and my jewelry and supplies were still in their autoclave bags when we got into the room. I love the pictures in this room by the way. There is a picture of a boot with an 0 gauge acrylic barbell through the tongue, a picture of a navel orange with a captive bead ring through the navel and other such pictures of common items with piercings.
Kevin and I started talking about my PA, about my wife's Vert. hood and how they were healing. Then came the shocker. After we started talking about my lobes, it was revealed that he wasn't going to pierce them but rather, he was going to dermal punch them. I went instantly pale. I have had my cartilage and PA done but they were both with piercing needles. I trust piercing needles, they just push the tissue aside, but dammit, dermal punches remove a piece of ME, and it's gone forever.
Kevin left the room for about 5 minutes and my nerves really kicked into high gear. I started feeling queasy even though I had just eaten, and almost threw up. I really don't know why I felt so nauseous but I soon subsided as Kevin re-entered the room and began the procedure.
My ears were cleaned and prepped, measured with a caliper, and marked (to meet my approval, of course). In fact my ear lobes are so meaty, we had to measure my lobes and the tunnels to make sure they would fit. After this, my new jewelry was removed from the bags and a clamp was placed on my left earlobe right next to my head, I believe he said it was to steady it. A cork was placed behind my left lobe and he touched my lobe with the punch to lightly mark the skin further (I think anyways, those buggers are sharp enough, it probably left a blood ring). Breathe in, breathe out...To tell you the truth, it really didn't hurt. It felt like I took my lobe and pinched it really hard, in fact, it may have hurt less. Jewelry was inserted and gauze was placed around the piercing to try to quell the bleeding.
On to the second.
Repeat the above procedure, insert a slightly higher level of pain and we were done. Kevin cleaned up any blood running down the back of my neck and ears, and I was on my way.
I worked that night in my very hot store (108ºF I hear), and sweated really badly. I had no problems what-so-ever at work. Came home and went to bed, and had absolutely no problem with sleeping on them. There was no discomfort or anything while I was falling asleep. The next morning, there was dried blood, but I expected that. Worked the next morning, went back to work, and once again, had absolutely no problems. Slept like a rock last night, and had very little dried blood this morning.
This was an extremely positive experience for me. I absolutely loved getting punched. Within minutes of the procedure, I couldn't even tell they were there without looking in the mirror. I wouldn't change this experience in any way what-so-ever and would recommend to anyone to get dermal punched for larger gauge lobe piercings. There are many reasons for this recommendation, not the least of which is the comfort level of the piercing. There may be more blood but there is less pain and the hole is much more cleanly made.
Any questions or comments, you know how to find me. J