I have been into body mod ever since I got my lobes pierced when I was nine... which subsequently healed up after my primary school teacher demanded I take them out, as they were "inappropriate", and I was looking for a new piercing. Nothing extreme, just something subtle. I already had a lot of earrings so maybe some other part of my body would have to be pierced.
At A Glance Author sarance Contact lucid_fairytale@hotmail.com When A year ago Artist No idea Studio Oasis Location Birmingham UK After stumbling across BMEZINE.COM I searched through some pictures and thought that another piercing on my ear would be nice actually and my mum wouldn't notice as much, (not that she cares anymore.) So, I decided on the anti tragus. It was cute, not that noticeable and also unique. I like earrings and this would even out my earrings that I had already, as the previous piercer was incompetent to say the least and did a bodge job. I searched through the risks section too and saw that it held no major risks and so I thought it would be good. I checked my ear to see if I had enough cartilage (because I had my ears pinned back when I was about 6 so they are a bit wonky!) and I thought that everything would be fine. One thing I was concerned about was how it would fit on my ear with my 8mm flesh tunnel there, or if it would look silly.
I was wondering where would do such a piercing as the places I knew of were more just for "standard" piercing like lobes and navel. I couldn't think of anywhere so I kind of forgotten about it but I still had the "piercing crave" which I'm sure you understand. So when I took a shopping trip to Birmingham (UK), which is about an hour from where I live, I thought that this would be the perfect place to get it done as it catered for the more individual or unique person.
Waking into Oasis, which is a Goth/alternative clothes shop over 3 levels, I spotted the piercing dept and decided that this was the right time to have it done. I was a little worried because I didn't know anything about the studio or the piercer but it looked professional and people were walking out of the little room with new piercings and it looked safe enough. I walked past a couple of times, mulling it over in my head, and browsing the glass cabinets full of jewellery. I asked, "do you do anti-tragus piercings here?" the answer was "yes take a seat". I couldn't really back out of it now. I sat in the char for about five minutes trying not to look scared when I got called in.
My friend Rosie was with me and came into the little room which was literally big enough just for a bed and the piercer and I. He numbed the area, which I was glad about (even though now after numerous more piercings I enjoy the pain factor) and he said that it would be a little lower than usual because of my ear. I sat on the bed and stared at myself in the mirror, wondering if I was going to faint. I haven't ever before during a piercing but I hadn't eaten and nerves and anxiety were getting the better of me. The piercer (sorry I cant remember your name.. or if you even gave it to me) put on some latex gloves and unwrapped a needle and the jewellery. I thought that was fine. I felt a little dizzy with nerves but i took a deep breath and the needle went in. I could feel pressure, just the same as when I had my tragus done. I also heard a kind of cracking noise, as if the needle was grating against the cartilage. He fitted a barbell which was a bit of a hassle to fit the ball on the inside of my ear and I chose a barbell because I thought a ring would look silly, and then that was it.
I paid, gave thanks and walked out of the shop. I looked in a nearby mirror and thought about how cute it looked (yes possibly I am vain) and it was definitely worth £20, which I thought was quite cheap!)
To anyone who has been considering this piercing, I think its a really great piercing that not many people have although I have had a bit of ulceration around the inside, which I treated by putting pressure on the area with a salt water sodden cotton bud (as i saw was the advice on this very website) it worked a treat. I have a minor bit of scarring on the outside but nothing obvious. People are generally amazed at the piercing and I often get questions asked at me