I've wanted my tragus and rook done for quite a while now. So when I turned 16, I saved up some cash, decided to screw what my parents thought, (I'm of legal age in the UK so they can't stop me) and went to go get it done.
At A Glance Author Forty_licks Contact fordyoureturningintoapenguinstopit@hotmail.com When A month ago Artist Dave Studio Under The Skin Location Aldershot, Surrey After speaking to a lot of my mates and my best mates sister, who is pierced to buggery, I came to the conclusion that "Under the Skin" in Aldershot would be the best place to go.
So I dragged my two best mates on the train up to Aldershot, I was bouncing all the way, petrified, seeing as I had read on the Internet that a rook piercing was similar "To putting burning barbed wire through your ear"...doesn't that sound like fun?
But hey, if I got it done, I'd be the only person at school and in my social group who had it done, and lets face it people get "strange" piercings to be unique or at least slightly different!
After a mini mission to "under The Skin" (quite a hard place to find), we stood out side the window peering in, my mates having a fag to calm my nerves (yes, you did read that right). Once I worked up the courage to go inside, and down the stairs to the studio, the first impression I got was "clean". The place was spotless, with florescent white light, kind of soothing, in a weird way.
When the guy came up and asked us who was getting what, I nearly shat myself; this guy was built like a brick shit house! After I told him I wanted my rook and tragus done, the very first thing he said to me was "you do know, you cant put a stud in your tragus, its to delicate" and the second thing was "what do you mean by rook." (Turns out the technical term for your rook is actually your Penna, and blame the internet for term rook). Then Dave, (Mr. Brick shit house) explained all their health and safety awards, certificates and standards and took me through to the studio.
He got me to lie down and got me to turn my head to the left (I was getting both done on my right ear) he then explained what he was going to do, why and how. After applying the liquid gas, we sat talking about piercings for a bit and then he said. "That wasn't so bad was it?" I think my jaw may have hit the floor; apparently I was sitting there with a piece of tubing through my ear as Dave sorted out the jewellery. I seriously did not feel a thing; it didn't hurt all, not even after wards. So after I had a quick look in the mirror I was set for my rook.
This was by far the most interesting. I sat back down and after more liquid gas I felt the needle being pushed through. I'm not going to lie to you; this one did hurt, but not an unbearable pain, more uncomfortable. I think this was also made worse by the fact that he had to get a smaller gage earring (1.2 instead of a standard 1.7) as I have quite small ears and he had to "do it again". It was a very strange tugging sensation and took a lot longer for the needle to go all the way through, it felt like he was being really rough almost digging around to get the needle through, which wasn't the most pleasant of sensations. But after the correct size jewellery was in place, every thing was good to go. Plus I got to keep the 1.7 he tried with first cause he couldn't give it to anyone else.
I was well chuffed, the experience was no where as bad as I thought it would be and I would recommend anyone who wants it done to go and get, its not that scary.
I hung around for a little while till the bleeding stopped, but after the most painful part (paying £15 each) I was back on the train home. I was very impressed with "Under the skin", and defiantly will be back again soon.
The Tragus still does not hurt at all, but my rook even a month later is still quiet tender to the touch, you do get some seeping but that's just the bodies natural cleansing oils, I clean both piercings twice a day using a dilute salt water. The tenderness can be annoying, especially when you try and hug people. Sleeping ok them is ok, a little painful but that is to be expected.
But I'm very happy with both piercings, the rook more than the tragus, mainly because of the fascinating look people give me, usually half way been an expression of "OUUCH!" and "WOW!" but bear in mind, it's a thing people either love or hate, my teachers hate it, I and my friends (and shock horror parents!) love it. Works for me!