It had been a year since my last piercing and I was dying to get another hole poked in me somewhere. I just didn't know where. I wanted it to be in my right ear to balance out my left ear. I know I want an industrial, but I am not sure if I have the anatomy for that. I also want a rook piercing, but I was scared as hell to get one, as I heard they hurt insanely bad. So after doing some browsing through the ear piercing galleries on BME, I decided to get an anti tragus.
At A Glance Author lost Contact lost@bme.anon IAM lost When A month ago Artist Melissa Studio El Toro Body Shop I thought this piercing was best suited for me at the time. It was small, seemed easy to care for, and was affordable. Plus, I have my tragus pierced in my left ear, so I thought it was perfect, making my ears symmetrical, yet, not identical. Not to mention, despite what I had read in other peoples experiences, I was not afraid of the pain this would cause me. I assumed it would feel just like my tragus. So, I saved my cash and went to go see my piercer, Melissa. When I walked into her shop, I was surprised she remembered my name since it had been a long time since I had last been in there. I told her what I wanted and asked if she had time later that night, when I would come in with my friend who was going to get her nose re-pierced. She said yes, to come back whenever. So I called my friend and told her to meet me there at 9:30 that night.
For the remainder of the afternoon, I hung out with my boyfriend and his friend. I was excited and a little nervous. But more excited than anything. I couldn't wait! So right before we went, I tried to eat, but couldn't force down more than half a piece of pizza. Oh well, I know you shouldn't get pierced on an empty stomach, but a little food was better than none.
Around 9:30, my friend showed up with three other people. I already had the two guys with me. I hoped her friends didn't want to watch me. We went in and Melissa had us fill out the forms, copied our ID's, went over aftercare....the usual routine. Then she asked if I wanted to go first. In my experience, it is easier to go first and get it over with. So yes, I did want to go first. She led me to the back room and had me sit down on her table and pick out a bead to go on the CBR. I chose a purple one. Then she had me lay down. I once asked her why she always has me lay down and she said that it makes things easier for her because she is short.
So I was laying there and she marked the spot to be pierced and explained how and why she was going to be doing it free hand. There were three or four people in there: my boyfriend, my friend and I think one of her friends that had come with her. Melissa was telling me about when she used to live in Amsterdam, and I was trying not move. Then a massive bug flew in through the open window in the lobby. This became a distraction to everyone in there, including the guy getting tattooed in the other room. Their shop is upstairs and has huge windows in every room, and she explained to me that this is exactly the reason she keeps them shut.
"Ok, lets try again" she said. One, two, three, and she pierced on the third exhale, as she always does. I felt the needle push through part way, and then the rest of the way. It seemed to take forever. There was a little burning sensation, but it felt good. Putting the CBR in was kind of irritating. It felt like a lot of pressure. Then I heard a crack and she mumbled something under her breath. "What happened?" I asked. She said that the ball had broken in two. I was concerned that part had fallen into my ear, but it didn't. She found a new one and put it on. Then she squeezed the ring shut with something that looked like pliers. Finally! The pain I had missed for so long was back! And it is in perfect placement: right between and my second and third lobe piercings.
Aftercare so far hasn't been a problem. I just wash it with a little soap in the shower in the morning, and then again at night (if I remember). And sea salt soaks of course. The only concern I have is developing a keloid. So far, I am bump free. Melissa said if I keep my hands off it, then that won't happen. I love my anti tragus, and I am considering doing one on my other ear. Despite what I have read, I really didn't find it to be that painful. Not bad enough that I wouldn't do it again!