So. I had just turned 18. I had just started dating someone new. I figured I needed a new piercing to symbolize all that was going on in my life. However, I did not know what I wanted, where I wanted, when I was going to get it, or any details at all.
At A Glance Author Courtnie Contact stfu_kthx@cox.net When Three months ago Artist Bradley Studio American Tattoo Location Baton Rouge, Louisiana One night, my boyfriend and I had a bit of a problem. He happened to be dating someone else and although it hurt me, I was in love with him and stayed with him. I guess I was not really with him but I was a part of his life and that was enough for me.
Well, I found out his parents knew some stuff they should not have found out. Things that could lead to me ending up in prison. After I found this bit of information out, I went walking around the mall that night. When I was getting into my car, I had the thought of going to get something pierced right then. My tattoo shop is right across the street from the mall, so naturally, it was convenient. However, I could not decide what I wanted. I knew I wanted to get my lip pierced. I also wanted my eyebrow pierced. The unfortunate thing was I had a job, and I was also still in school. So those were out.
I was considering a bellybutton ring. I had always wanted one. But again, I am a little chubby and figured it would reject since surface piercings have a relatively high rejection rate. So, I am leaving the mall and as soon as I am about to switch lanes to go home, I decide I am getting something. I was thinking that I should get an ear piercing of some sort. I did not really know what was available. I already have three holes in each ear and my first holes are stretched to a 2 gauge.
As soon as I pull into my tattoo shop, I see the piercer pulling out. He then pulls back in and gets out of the car and goes into the shop. I check for my ID and my cash and then go into the shop. I apologize for coming right when he was about to leave. I tell him that I have to get something pierced, but I am in school and I have a job. He suggests an ear piercing. I ask about an industrial, but he tells me he would not feel comfortable performing that piercing because if there is not the perfect amount of tension in my ear, then my ear could possibly collapse. I was pretty let down because I had always wanted one of those.
The piercer then asks if I have my traguses pierced. I tell him that I do not but I do not really like the look of that. He then suggests an anti-tragus. I was a little confused on the placement so he showed me where it would enter and go out. I tell him that sounds like a really good idea and I tell him to pick out my jewelry for me. He selected a blue curved barbell with blue spikes on the end.
He takes me back into the familiar piercing room and I watch him set up. Fresh needles straight out of the package and everything, which is normal because the tattoo shop is very clean. He marks my ear and then shows it to me in the mirror to make sure I like it. I tell him that it is fine but I was not really sure where else it could go. So he then proceeds to put the clamps on my ear. That is always the worst part of any piercing. At this point I was happy I decided to just go for it instead of planning on getting a piercing because I had no time to get really nervous. Then, the needle goes in. Or... so I thought. The piercer tells me that it didn't go all the way through because the cartilage in that area of the ear is thick. I do another deep breath and he shoves it through. It was not really painful but it did hurt. He then slides the barbell in and it takes him about half an hour to get the other spike on.
I pay him and tip him pretty generously because I had a crush on him. I drive home feeling really happy. That night it was rather swollen and sore. It stayed like this for a couple of weeks. Finally it was less sore. But I made the mistake of changing the jewelry before it was healed. I do not recommend this to anyone, as it will usually leave you with some nasty keloids, 2 of which I am just getting rid of.
I got it pierced in March and it is still a little sore. I love it though. I have not seen it on anyone else and it always makes people say "Oh my god... that had to hurt. Ahhh!" which is nice. I recommend it to anyone but like any cartilage piercing, it takes a really long time to heal and you have to baby it.