Alright, when I got my innocent industrial piercing done, I had NO idea just what i'd be up for. At the time, I had never heard of keloids before and I had also never had anything (besides my earlobes) pierced. This is my story...
At A Glance Author Rachael Contact DonnieDarkosGF@hotmail.com When A year ago Artist James (I believe) Studio Addiction NYC Location New York City, NY Ok, my experience begins during my trip to NYC. I had seen the industrial piercing once on some website and it pretty much fascinated me. You see, my mother didn't really like me getting anything besides my ears done. She was not a fan of any facial piercings whatsoever. Therefore, I figured it would be ok. Plus, I had gotten a cartilage piercing in the 3rd grade (which I had since taken out) and there were no problems with it, besides the fact that the earring had been too tight. Anyway, I had mentioned the piercing to my mother (I needed her permission first because I was underage) and she sort of shrugged it off. I admit, this was a better answer than a flat out "No!".
We were on St.Marks Place and, as you may know, there are a TON of piercing places and such. I figured that this would be the perfect time to bring up the piercing again. I did. This time, she said "o.k" I was SO happy! We then looked at a few places and settled on this one called "Addiction NYC". I walked inside and there was a line of people waiting to be pierced and/or tattooed (there was a tattoo place in the front and Addiction was in the back). When I approached the counter, I noticed all the people behind it had horn implants, tattoos, and every piercing you could imagine. Again, I figured this was a good sign. I mean, if the people who pierce you had it done, you would think they'd know a little more than the people who have never had it done. Right?
I then explained to the man behind the counter that I wanted an industrial piercing done. He then nervously ran around the back of the counter mumbling something to his fellow piercers about how he was nervous that they didn't have the right size barbell for the piercing. Another piercer had then mentioned to him that since my ear was small, a smaller barbell (which they had) would work. He then showed me the barbell, and, not realizing the size of my own ear, I obliged.
They took me back to the piercing room, which was very clean. All the instruments that were used were completely sterile and one-time-use only. He marked my ear, and then proceeded to stick the needle through. It didn't hurt as bad as I had planned, but now, looking back on it (I have my tongue pierced now as well), it was the most painful piercing i've had.
When he had me look at the finished piercing, I noticed that it had crushed the top of my ear a little, and they had done it WAY too far to the top (you couldn't see the inside bar at all). But, I figured that it would be ok and once it healed it would be like everyone elses.
The whole healing process was rather uncomfortable. The cleaning was ok, but very messy because they had me use Bactine which ran all over and into my ear. Also, I couldn't sleep on that one side of my head. But, I figured all these things would happen so, that lessened the tension a bit.
The people had said after I got it pierced that I should call if any keloids formed, and they then explained to me what keloids were. I wasn't prone to anything like that, so I figured that I wouldn't get them. WRONG!
I remember it exactly. I was showing my piercing off to one of the girls at my school and she goes to me, "What's that huge bump on your ear?!" That is when I noticed it, I had gotten a keloid and not even realized it. I then examined the piercing and noticed I had one on the other side too. It was horrible and, upon finding these unwanted visitors, I promptly called the piercing studio.
All the place told me to do was, for 10 minutes twice a day, put a paste of crushed up Tylenol and water onto the offending keloids and they should go away. I tried and tried and nothing happened. They remained their horrible size and in fact, got bigger.
It had been months now, and it was time for my summer trip down to Seaside Heights NJ. Having gone many years, I was aware there were plenty of piercing places on the boardwalk. I went to Adrenaline (a very nice place) and asked for a larger barbell. They sold me a larger barbell and changed it for me. The whole time they were friendly and courteous. The keloids were no longer red (like someone was putting pressure on them- which the barbell definitely was) but, they were still there and my ear was sort of crushed on top.
I continued doing the treatments, which didn't help at all...and now, over a year later, I still have them. They are huge and absolutely horrible to look at. I've done everything to try to get rid of them and now I'm worrying that they may become permenant. They completely ruined the piercing and even if I took the piercing out, they'd still be there, so I find no point. It's simply ruined my ear.
My warning to you, DON'T GET AN INDUSTRIAL UNLESS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE BARBELL! Make sure that it has plenty of room so that it doesn't press against your ear! Trust me, you'll avoid a horrible experience.
Meanwhile, if anyone has tips on how they removed their keloids on their industrial piercing, PLEASE CONTACT ME! I'd appreciate it! Thank you soo much and I hope I've helped!-
Rachael