The never-ending story of my ears began last summer/fall. A good friend of mine was in town from Buffalo spending a few nights at my place and needed to pick up nostril screws. At the time, I lived walking distance from a shop called "Studio One". They sell piercing equipment/tattoo equipment/jewelry/etc at wholesale prices. I usually had the shops catalogue on hand and when she saw what jewelry really costs, we were on our way.
At A Glance Author Blake Contact Blake@bme.anon IAM thatsenseofpar When A year ago Artist Nicolette and I Studio My Bathroom Location Toronto, ON I had previously tried to pierce my own ears without the proper materials and decided to do it right. The wrong way being – using an 18g hypodermic needle (meant to be attached to a syringe) that has an attachment on one end that disallows the needle to be pushed all the way through. Proceeding to then attempt to force a 14g ring through this 18g sized hole. If you have done this and I'm sure at least one person reading this has....slap yourself.
Go ahead, I'll wait.
Of course, this didn't work and only created minor scar tissue that just made it harder to have my ears properly pierced. With my stubbornness, I'm surprised I didn't rip my ears clean off the side of my face. Kids, don't do what Dad does, do what he says....
Nicolette got what she needed and I picked up 2x12g sterilized needles and 2x12g CBR's (ring jewelry) which came to a grand total of about $5.00 (CDN). Yes, that is ALL it cost. It can be extremely cheap to get sealed, sterilized piercing equipment and jewelry. My needles cost less than $1 Canadian each. There is no need to pierce yourself with a safety pin or something equally as irresponsible....so don't. If you have already made the decision to pierce yourself, which already has you on the "making the wrong decision" line of the fence, at least take the time to look around in your area for a wholesale supplier so you can pick up the right materials.
We got back to my place and set everything up in my very cramped little bathroom, which was the only room in the house with enough light for us to see what we were doing. (I had a very dark house. Mood lighting will always reign.) Having the right needles and right jewelry made the process smooth as silk. With both being the same size, it allowed the ring to fit properly on the back of the needle to be followed directly through, instead of having to pull the needle out and quickly try to force the ring through. I did my right ear first which was extremely easy. Silk and all things beautifully silk-like.
I found that I couldn't get my angles exact on my left ear though. Thankfully Nicolette was there and happy to help. She also had the right perspective to be able to place the left piercing in the same spot as the right. Unfortunately, this was the same ear I had previously tried to pierce and was the proud owner of rock hard scar tissue. There was not enough to cause a problem but it was nowhere near as smooth as my right ear. The needle felt more like it was ripping through then sliding through. She was a little nervous because she had never pierced another person before but she did a fine job. Fine enough for me to have what I have now. The two rings were slightly crooked compared to each other, but I didn't find that a problem. I don't like rings, I planned on stretching and planned on tunnels or plugs where our slight miscalculations wouldn't be noticed.
If you want both earrings to be symmetrical and straight, go to a professional. You won't be able to get them straight on your own, take my word. Mirrors can be lying little fiends when it comes to you thinking you know what you're doing. As I came to notice when it came time to close the rings and fit the beads in them. It is damn near impossible to do this in a mirror. Everything is backwards. But after much time and effort, Nicolette and I did get both rings closed and beaded.
A quick wash down with warm water to get rid of the quickly developing "crusties" was all that was needed to finish.
The rest of our night is not for your young ears, my little friends.
As an aftermath, if you think lobe piercings do not need to be cleaned and will heal on their own, you are wrong. Yes, they are a common piercing that most unknowing people do not take proper care of but that does not mean that problems do not occur. Problems DID occur in my case. VERY much so. I will include the problems that came along with my right ear in my ear-stretching experience, so keep your eyes open for that. But just remember that ear piercings do need to be cleaned and cared for like any other (most commonly by soaking the piercing in warm water with a pinch of sea salts. Do not use bathing salts as some people do. The two are not be confused.).
The harsh fact of body piercing is that, if you are not a professional you do not know what you are doing. Problems can and do arise and you need to have the knowledge to deal with them as they happen. Even with a piercing as simple as your ear, it is strongly encouraged to go to a certified piercing studio to have it done. The next time you speak with your piercer, ask how long they have been piercing for and take into account that even they come across the occasional problem. They are fully knowledgeable of what they are doing and still might make the odd mistake. Factor that into YOUR chances of making a mistake.
Be careful and take care.