I did it!
At A Glance Author Jen Contact Jen@bme.anon IAM piercedjenny When Two years ago Artist Jeremy Studio Artistic Impressions Location St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada I wanted something different, something that I could wear to both of my jobs and not get in trouble for. I admit that the union at my one job was anti-piercing in the workplace, so this could be tricky. I went through each and every rule as it pertained to dress code and jewelry, and realized that females were allowed two earrings per ear. I KNEW I would be able to get what I wanted then.
I called Artistic Impressions to ask Jeremy if he would be able to do it. He asked what gauge I wanted to do. I explained I was thinking a 4 or a 2 gauge, and that I wanted to have it dermal punched instead of pierced. He sounded excited when I said that, and told me to come in with the jewelry and we would talk about it.
I won't lie to you. I called in sick to the restaurant where I worked at the time, and headed right over. The barbell I was going to put in my ear was a 2 gauge, so he determined it would be better to punch it at a 0 gauge. I agreed, because honestly, Jeremy knows what he is doing, and I know he wouldn't suggest it if it would be wrong.
THEN he broke the bad news: no punches were at the shop in that size. I was bummed, but he called his boss who said he would bring the dermal punch from the other shop over the weekend. Monday seemed like forever away, but we agreed that Monday at 3pm would be the time.
Monday at about 2 o'clock I ate my lunch and called Jeremy to make sure we were on. No dermal punch meant that my piercing was postponed again. I know I could have went anywhere else, but Jeremy has done every piercing I have --- and that wasn't going to change!
I called daily until Thursday he said he had the punches in. I felt the adrenaline rush just from thinking about the piercing, until he told me this was his last day until the following weekend. My spirits dropped as I was at work, and would be there until midnight. I asked if I could come in at 8pm and have them done - so I could do it on my lunch. He was totally cool with that, and I hung up a happy camper.
When I got to Artistic's, I was happy I had left the jewelry with Jeremy last time I was there. He had already autoclaved it, and was setting up the room when I got there. I was a little intimidated when this guy with metal everywhere asked if he could watch, but then I melted when I saw his smile. That alone made up my mind.
So I sat on the chair, and watched Jeremy open up the punch. To me it looked like a hole punch, but with razor sharp scalpels that somehow he had to line up. I was intrigued, was starting to do my breathing so that he could go right to work.
Most piercers ask if you have a preference for the method they use (either the count, or the after-so-many-breaths). I personally just breathe and trust Jeremy will go when he is ready. Of course, when your ear is being done, you have an inkling of when that will be, because they lean in to do it. I think I had only taken one deep breath when I felt the pushing sensation. It was really weird, but I was distracted as Jeremy started talking to my ear.
"Holy fuck!!!... You have ears of steel"
"That's it. Go."
I was almost laughing out loud, and trying to stay still. I heard the "crunch" of my cartilage, and then it was done. In went the barbell, and ta-da! I had a 0 gauge hole in my inner conch (although we put 2 gauge jewelry in it). I barely bled, literally only a drop, and then I was gearing up for the other ear.
I noticed that Jeremy wasn't getting the other ear ready, that there were no new packages being opened. He explained that the other punch was a 4 gauge, and apologized for the error. It was no big deal, as I was running late for work, and needed to get back anyhow. I booked an appointment for when he came back, tipped him well, and listened VERY closely to his aftercare instructions, in case they were different than usual. (They weren't). I follow the LITFA method (Leave it the Fuck Alone) and it has always worked, but I'll still listen to instructions.
I was so impressed with the piercing; I couldn't wait for the other one to be done. Why not heal 2 large gauge piercings at the same time??? I went back the next week, Jeremy went through the same procedures with the autoclave, opening the punch in front of me and cleaning the area. The other piercing happened without fanfare, and I now have 2 well-healed inner conch piercings. I'm thinking of punching them larger (like for double-zero gauge barbells) but that may need to wait until my promotion at work comes through. As for the restaurant job I had at the time - I was right. I could keep my inner conches - much to the boss' dismay until the day I quit.
Follow your piercer's instructions - ALWAYS. They are in business for a reason.
Go back and see them if something is wrong - those piercers that take pride in their work will advise you what to do, and take measures to correct any issues.
And finally... don't play with them. They'll be prettier in the long run if you leave it the heck alone.