Alright! So after yearning for a rook piercing for about 8 months, I finally gathered the courage to do it. I had hesitated on getting it done for so long, because I was a little apprehensive. I had heard that the rook was quite painful to do, and that getting the ring through the hole took a while. I also was nervous getting it done, because I wanted to make sure that it was healed before summer (although I decided to get it done anyways, and make sure that I took care of it). I was also a little nervous that the piercing would get infected, regardless of how I cared for it. My second piercing on my lobe closed up and got a keloid from the piercing gun, but I wasn't sure if it was due to the piercing gun or to my allergy to the metal, so I was a little nervous putting another piercing in. Anyway, I was hanging out with my friend, and I decided I was finally ready.
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Amber Studio Sacred Heart Location Vancouver We walked into Sacred Heart and they said that they could fit me in without an appointment. They checked for I.D. and made sure I knew what my rook was, so that I wouldn't have an unwanted piercing. Luckily, I had done my research, and I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. They told me that they would just put in a ring with a plain metal ball, but I could change to another stone in about a month. I was a little disappointed, because I had been hoping for a nice pink stone or something, but I'll take what I can get! Amber took me to a room, and proceeded to get out the sterilized equipment and prep me for what was about to happen. She reminded me how to clean my piercings, and what the procedure would be like. I confessed I was pretty nervous, but she was really nice and told me that many people were nervous when they came in, but that it would be over soon. She freaked me out a little when she commented that my rook was pretty deep, and I was worried th is would make the whole thing more painful.
I lay down on the piercing table, and she told me to breathe in and out. I started to freak out, realizing that it was pretty close to 'needle time.' She stopped, and asked if I was panicking. I said "Yes!! Definitely panicking!" She reassured me that it wouldn't be like any other piercing experience that I had ever encountered. The pain wouldn't be sharp, it would be dull, and it would be over fairly quickly. I remembered why I wanted this so much, and calmed myself down (although I clung to my friend's hand...I probably deprived it of blood for those couple of minutes).
Amber told me to breathe, and I did so, and when she told me to exhale, she pushed the needle through. What an odd sensation! I could definitely feel the needle going through my ear, which was actually kind of interesting, and there was a whole lot of pressure. It didn't hurt, or so I thought, which was amazing, because I have a very low tolerance for pain. She told me she was going to put the ring in, and again I got a bit nervous (I had been told, that rook piercings hurt when the ring goes in, because sometimes it's difficult to maneuver it in), but that was pointless, because I didn't feel any pain. I just felt a relief of pressure, and a little bit of throbbing. But nothing major, at all. It didn't bleed or anything, and she said that it was a pretty easy piercing. I walked out with a big grin on my face, thanking her profusely, and tipping really generously (hey! I've got to give her props! It looks amazing!). It's been about an hour now, and it doesn't hurt. Sometimes, there's a little bit of dull pain, but very minute. I'm so pleased with how it looks, and would advise anyone who really wants this piercing to go for it. Although everyone's experience is different, mine was terrific, and didn't hurt at all. (which is pretty incredible, I'm a wuss when it comes to pain!) So don't be scared if you're hesitating for that reason. Piercings are great, as long as you go to a reputable, responsible place, and make sure that their equipment is clean and hygienic Take care that you're comfortable with your piercer. I got lucky with Amber, because she was really great, and calmed a lot of the anxiety that I had. I'm glad that I overcame my fear, because now I've got another beautiful piercing that looks amazing and feels painless. Hope my experience helped you in some way! Have fun with whatever piercing you're going to do next!