I'd been kicking around the idea of getting one of my tragii pierced for a month or so. I wanted a piercing that would be subtle and relatively work-safe, as well as not particularly obtrusive or able to catch on things. I was a little dubious about how much it would hurt, though, and how well it would heal. The long healing time I'd heard about (anywhere from two months to a year) put me off a little. However, I had gotten both a tattoo and a piercing at Outer Limits in Orange, and was very happy with the cleanliness and professionalism there. One thing I particularly like about Outer Limits is the clean, comfortable atmosphere, quite different than the stereotypical dark, dank, seedy-looking tattoo and piercing shops. It's brightly lit, decorated nicely in warm, bright colors, and scrupulously clean. It's also nice that a woman's been working every time I've been there -- that gives it a much more welcoming atmosphere if you're a woman. So, I figured that if anywhere would be the place to get it done, it would be Outer Limits.
At A Glance Author culfinglin Contact culfinglin@bme.anon When It just happened Artist ann Studio outer limits tattoo Location orange, CA Today at lunch, I went with my coworkers to a sandwich place right next door to Outer Limits, and while we were talking at lunch, I decided I'd go ahead and get it done, today. We had 20 minutes before we had to be back at work, so why not? We walked next door, and I think my coworkers were more nervous about it than I was. I walked back, and waited for the piercer, who I'd not met before. Her name was Ann, and she was very nice, and very professional. She asked when I'd last had a piercing done, and when I told her last February, she laughed and said, 'So, you're overdue then!' I agreed. :) We filled out the paperwork, and chatted a little about my driver's license photo and how I didn't look 31. A nice compliment.
She measured my ear, and took a minute to decide on which size CBR I needed; she showed the CBR to me for my approval, but I trusted her judgment. Ann set about getting the table ready and her tools set up. She confirmed which ear I wanted it in, made a mark for placement, which I thought was going to be the needle, and inadvertently flinched a little, which made her laugh. She didn't count, or have me count, which might have been because I've been pierced before. She just asked me if I was ready, then deftly punctured my tragus. I heard a 'crunch' as the needle went through the cartilage, and the noise unnerved me a little, and I pulled away from her slowly. She asked me to come bring my head back closer to her, and then to hold still while she put in the jewelry. Ann was very solictitious, and asked me a couple of times how I was doing, and if I was okay. I was dealing with the pain by breathing deeply, which helped a lot more than you'd think. The pain was not nearly as i ntense as when I got my hood pierced, and less intense than when I got my earlobes pierced with a gun. Probably about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. The noise was the most disconcerting part of the process, and though it makes sense that of course it would be noisy, as it's on my *ear*, that wasn't something that had occurred to me before I sat down on the table.
Ann put the CBR in fairly quickly, and I could feel her putting the ring in, then putting the ball in, which felt like tugging. It wasn't a great feeling, but it wasn't too painful. She then said, 'Okay, you're done! Have a look in the mirror!' I got down, a little wobbly from the adrenaline, and checked to make sure I liked it. The placement was good, and the gauge of the CBR thick enough to make sure the piercing wouldn't migrate out (16 gauge, 5/16" diameter). As we talked about aftercare procedures, Ann cleaned up the table, and her tools, and got the room ready for another person, then we went up front so I could pay her. She gave me her card, with the days she was in marked on it, and asked me to call her if i had any questions, or if there were any signs of infection. She gave me Satin antibacterial soap to use when showering, and suggested I use sea salt in warm water twice a day to speed healing.
My coworkers were all sitting up front, looking very nervous. You'd have thought I was going in for major surgery from their reactions. :) I showed off the piercing, and they made appreciative noises, though I think a couple of them were a little put off. I like it though, and that's what matters. :)