I just turned 18 last week. I was really excited because, of course, I wanted to do something to mark this special year.
At A Glance Author blackREBEL Contact gravitationalcollapse@yahoo.com When It just happened Artist Stephen Studio Evolution Location Santa Rosa, CA What better way than with a piercing?I already have eight piercings, all in my ears (x3 lobes, tragus, and cartilage). I'd been looking on BME quite a few weeks in advance to decide on what kind of new piercing I'd like. Then I saw the rook piercing, and absolutely fell in love with it. It was unique and beautiful and I thought it was stellar.
A few days after my birthday I went in to Evolution with a rook piercing in mind. I signed the consent form, and waited for about five minutes. Then the piercer, Stephen, took me into a room and asked what I wanted. I told him I wanted my rook done; he just nodded his head and turned around. Then I saw him with a popsicle stick and wondered what the hell was that about. He stuck the end of the stick to the underside of my rook and made a mark on the stick. He made a weird face when he saw where the mark was and tried again. Still no different.
He looked at it and said I don't have enough cartilage for a rook piercing, and it would probably end up rejecting or looking funny. Since they are professionals there I decided to go with his advice.
I was bummed. I hella wanted a new piercing, and now it seemed like I was going to go home with the same eight holes in my head. I asked Stephen what else he could do with my ears, and he gave me a couple suggestions, like an orbital or industrial. I didn't want to make such a decision on the spot, so I thanked him for his time and said I'd be back in a day or two.
So, it was back to BME for more piercing suggestions. I looked at my ear and wondered what my cartilage could hold. I don't have enough cartilage for a daith, so that was out. I didn't want an orbital, so that was out too. And I wasn't sure about the industrial, for pure symmetry of the ears (I have a cartilage piercing on the other ear).
Then I saw the snug.
I admit it: the first time I saw one of those little guys on BME I hated it. I thought they were ugly and out of place. But then, looking at my own ear, I thought a snug might look alright; after all, they really are just like low rooks. And, as a bonus, I had enough cartilage. So after seeing more of them on the web and imagining what I'd look like with one, I became infatuated and made plans to go the next day.
One of the cool things about Evolution is that they have what they call "happy hour", where on weekdays from 5-6 they have piercings at reduced cost. So I went right at 5, completely stoked about getting another piercing. Most of my piercings have been home-done; this was going to be professional and clean and perfect.
I signed the consent form (again) and waited for about fifteen minutes this time. The lady behind the counter asked what kind of piercing I wanted and when I told her I wanted a snug, she looked at me funny. A snug isn't that popular of a piercing, and she had no idea what it was. Even with my feeble attempts at trying to explain, I could tell I was confusing her moreso.
Then Stephen came in and asked what I decided on. I said I wanted a snug and showed him where. Once he understood he got really excited. We went into the room and he washed his hands and took different pieces of [wrapped] equipment and jewelry out. He made the marks first, and really took the time to make sure that it was right where I wanted it. We talked about angling and placement and whether or not to use a curved or a straight barbell. He figured the straight one would work best, and I agreed.
"This is going to be sick," he said.
So, everything was in place and sterilized. Then he cleaned the spot where I was going to be pierced and explained the entire procedure to me: that he would tell me when he was going to pierce, and to take a deep breath at that time; he'd follow through with corking it and then the jewelry. It really helped that he told me everything that was going to happen.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready," I said, and took a deep breath.
I felt the needle go in but it really didn't hurt. I took some more deep breaths as he finished up. He seemed to like my piercing and even took a picture of it. He handed me a mirror, and I fell in love with it.
I was amazed. It really didn't hurt that much, I just felt a lot of pressure. It really started throbbing about half an hour later, but only for a little while. He gave me a bag of sea salts and instructions and said if I had any problems or questions or anything to call them and they'd take care of it for me.
Now, my snug is two days old and a little sore. However, I'm thoroughly impressed with the people at Evolution, I'd recommend them to anybody. I'm planning on more piercings, and I won't go to anybody else BUT there. They are quick, clean, and helpful.
And my snug? Still sick.... =)