Let me start off by saying I have a very high pain tolerance, in my opinion. I have 3 piercings in each lobe, my right tragus, my right ear cartilage twice (with a gun.. bad idea, but I never had any problems), my left nostril, my tongue (sadly, I had to say goodbye to it after my dad threatened to make me pay rent. What is it with parents and doing that?!), my vertical navel twice (one standard, and one on the bottom), and now my beautiful, sexy industrial. The only one that really made me swear like a sailor and get light headed, was my industrial. I'd like to share my experience with you...
At A Glance Author Jennifer When Three months ago Artist John Studio Lancelot Body Piercing Location Hammond, IN So my 44 year old mother who has obviously encountered a mid-life crisis, decides one autumn day that she'd like a belly button ring (as "motivation to keep her stomach flat".. so far it's working. Go mom!) and I told her I'd go with her. So in early November, we take a trip a few miles from where I work to Bugaboo Tattoo and Lancelot Body Piercing. I'd previously gone to John for my nose and my bottom belly ring, and he was AWESOME. So gentle and really cared about his customers. He's about 45 and doesn't look AT ALL like your typical piercer. He looks more like a father figure which is even more comforting. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
So mom lies down and gets her belly done. She took it rather well! He explained aftercare to her. Then turns to me and says "No impulsive piercings today?" And I smile and explain to him that I'd been debating between an industrial and a rook for about a month, and he told me that he'll be more than happy to do one or both for me then and there! So of course, I'm a sucker for piercings.. I choose the industrial. He cleans it up, asks me if I'm feeling okay, then proceeds to joke and talk to me about random stuff...school, job, boyfriend, etc.
THEN was the moment of truth. He didn't use a clamp due to the curvature of my ear, he made his mark and told me that he'll use a smaller barbell so it wouldn't be so obvious at work. (I work at a doctor's office.. they don't tolerate face metal very well! I already have to take out my nose ring every time I work there which really becomes a pain after awhile.) He did the top hole first and I couldn't feel anything besides a REALLY sharp pain...OUCH. OUCH. OUCH. Then came the profanities. I'd never been this close to fainting in my LIFE! (Sorry, not trying to scare anyone) Then I weakly asked if it was done yet, and he laughed and said "Are you kidding? I've only done the top hole. I still need to do the bottom and then stick the barbell through." Yeah, didn't want to hear that. So he did the bottom hole which hurt much worse than the first. It wasn't unbearable, but it didn't tickle. I swore so much. HURT SO BAD. Then while John stuck the barbell through, he kept making fun of me, saying "Ouch, that hurt, didn't it?"
Honestly, his jokes always make me feel so much better. So he screwed the ball on and I had this GORGEOUS industrial!!! I was so excited, it's currently my favorite and FINAL piercing. I think 13 is enough!
Afterwards, he explained aftercare to me and my mother thoroughly. I was to wash it with Dial soap three times a day and DO NOT SLEEP ON IT. Keep hair spray and products away from it.. the standard procedure. I paid $50 and I was out of there. The whole entire car ride home I stared at my ear in awe. There was a huge metal bar where there used to be nothing. I knew my boyfriend would probably call me a freak, but I didn't care! I loved it, and that's all that matters damn it.
So it's been about 3 months, give or take, and there is this heinous looking bump on the back of the top hole. I'll admit, I've neglected the cleaning. At one point I had bumps on every entrance of the bar. It was hideous. With persistent cleaning, I've gotten rid of three of them. This one is much more stubborn, but I am NOT giving up. I wash with Dial soap twice a day. I've also been considering sea salt.
I know my story sounded scary, unless you enjoy pain, but honestly.. go for it if you really want one. Ultimately, it's gorgeous and people may give you crap for it saying "Eww why would you do that?!" but most comments are positive. It's sexy as hell. DO IT. NOW!!
And for the love of all things holy, clean it.