For ages I begged my mum to let me have my cartilage pierced and eventually she agreed, although my dad had reservations for health reasons, he tends to panic quite a lot! He eventually agreed only after I got in a bit of a mood with him, that i could have it done if I found a clean looking place.
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Kate Bishop Studio Besty's ink (skin pinz) Location Evesham, Worcs, England So earlier today I decided to go to the local tattoo and piercing studio, after I got back from the cinema, as I decided to have it done with a needle opposed to a gun, much safer in my opinion. I had my lobes done with a gun and they weren't completely successful! As I went into the place, I started to become nervous.When I walked in all i could see was a scary looking tattooed man but then I looked on the wall and saw ear rim £8 so I asked and a young woman behind the counter said she could do it for me now. So she got some forms out. She asked my age and as im 15 said my mum would have to sign the forms. As we did this she went off to prepare the equipment. They keep their studs in the autoclave and have sterile packaged needles, so it didn't take long. I was glad because I really wanted it done! She then came back and got me and took me through to the piercing room, where I had to sit on a bed. I was pretty nervous now and as I hadn't payed I was going to ask if I could leave it for today but I'd already told my friends that I was off to get it done, so there was no backing down now.
She said in her opinion rings are not as good to start with because they force the bacteria into the piercing but she would do it with one if I wanted but I said that a stud was fine by me. Before she started she showed me the stud (I didn't get a choice) it was a plain titanium one but it was different. There was a small metal disc on the back and a ball screwed onto the front like a belly bar. There was no butterfly back to it. She wiped my ear with antiseptic , asking me all about my day at the same time. She put a mark and asked me to check it, I agreed it was fine but she asked again just to make sure! She then said she'd use a numbing solution which would take the age off! I was glad as I don't like pain! She put the solution on my ear and then got the clamp out. She said this would feel weird and explained why she was using it (to keep the skin in place). I've heard many people say this hurts the most but I couldn't feel it! Before I knew it she'd got the needle and i t was through! I did feel it sting! but it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was no more painful than a gun! I'm not sure if I heard a pop. I did hear something, thinking back but I just thought that it was the straw or needle or something! She continued to explain what she was doing. Something about a straw in my ear! I felt her cut the plastic straw short and a piece fell in my lap.
She asked if I was ok and said she was about to insert the jewellery....again I began to panic as I had read that this bit hurt more than the piercing! but I don't think it did, just a slight pinch. My ear was bleeding slightly, which she said is completely normal and she just dabbed it. So the jewellery was in! Now came screwing on the ball. This took a while and she lost the first 2 balls! She kept apologising but I was fine and said don't worry. She got the ball on and checked I was ok to get up, which I was. She gave me the aftercare sheet and went through the instructions verbally. I was shaking and with all the excitement , she asked me to sign a final form and I nearly forgot to pay her but eventually I paid her my £8 and i was done off home!
It really only stung for a few minutes way less than with the gun! Now and again it keeps throbbing slightly but its not constant and it doesn't hurt apart from when I just knocked it trying to tuck my hair behind me ear! ouch!!!!!
I really am dumb sometimes!
Last night I managed to sleep without knocking it. Hurrah! I find it useful to put a pillow by my side so that if I try to roll over I hit the pillow and remember that I can't sleep on that side. So far it seems to have worked for me.
Finally I would say that if you want this piercing, go for it! It looks cute and really doesn't hurt that much!
Happy piercing!!!