"I'm becoming addicted to mutilating my body," my friend Jenn said on the car ride home to us after getting our piercings for the night. Since we had all finally turned 18 throughout the year, visiting Hot Rod Tattoo had become kind of a regular thing for us. Atlantic City is only 10 minutes away, so we're in the city all the time.
At A Glance Author Erin Contact Erin@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Fil Studio Hot Rod Tattoo Location Atlantic City Piercings and tattoos had always interested me more so than my friends, but I was excited when they began wanting them also. After having my lobes done four times, two cartilage piercings, my belly button, and a tattoo, I was looking for something new to have done; I get bored pretty easily. Last year, after some extensive searching on BME, I decided that I really loved the tragus piercing. I had only ever seen a few people with it done, and thought it looked so good. But, since I ran winter and spring track in high school, getting a new piercing wasn't really an option at the time. Officials are very strict about having absolutely no jewelry on during the meet.
Fast forward about seven months, and we're up to last night. My two friends, Jenn and Tara, both wanted new piercings also. I was completely positive I wanted my tragus, and they hadn't decided exactly what they wanted yet. My mom (who has always been fine with my piercings and even paid for my tattoo) had my boyfriend Pat go with us so we wouldn't get anything "too crazy." We set off for Hot Rod in Atlantic City.
After talking with Fil (the owner) for awhile, Jenn had decided on getting a snug piercing and Tara decided on a regular cartilage piercing. We each showed our ID's, read and filled out the paperwork, and waited for him to set up. Tara, being the outgoing person she is, readily volunteered to go first. She flinched a little bit, but her piercing came out great. Jenn and I couldn't decide who would go next, so we did the logical thing; rock, paper, scissors. I lost.
Fil had me wait behind the counter while he prepared and cleaned. I couldn't help but feel extremely nervous. I shouldn't have been.. I mean, come on, I've had stuff done before! Pat kept talking to me, trying to get my mind off of the piercing. I appreciated the effort, but I wasn't really listening to him. I finally sat down, and Fil told me to tilt my head to the right. He said to breathe in deep, and when I exhaled he would pierce. He was about to do it, and then I said wait! Stupid nerves. He kind of teased me, saying, "I could've done it already. I could've done it again. I could've done it a third time." So I stopped being a wimp and told him to do it. The feeling was a little indescribable. I can't say it didn't hurt, but then again it wasn't painful. Strangely, I felt really calm and serene as the needle was going through. Weird. Getting the jewelry in was a little uncomfortable, but that's about it. And there was absolutely no crunching noise like people sometimes hear. But then it was done, I saw it, and loved it. No blood, no nothing.
Jenn had her snug done after me, but honestly I wasn't paying attention to her. After I get pierced, I always feel a little nauseated. I never get sick or anything like that, but I need to sit down for a minute. However, I did see hers when it was finished, and it is one of the coolest looking things I've seen.
After the three of us were finished, Fil explained the aftercare to us and gave us sheets to take home. Getting pierced together was a great experience for three friends who are leaving for college in less than a month. Every time I see the piercing, I'll be able to remember our crazy times from high school.
I didn't get home last night until after my family was asleep, so I had to wait until the morning to show them my new and improved ear. My mom and sister had about the same reaction - a flinch mixed with a look of disgust. It's only because they thought it looked painful though. I'm sure they'll grow to love it. My eight-year old brother thought it was "awesome."
As for anyone who is thinking about getting a tragus piercing, I would recommend it. The "pain" (if I could even call it that..) lasts only a few seconds. It's easy to clean, and I had no redness or swelling whatsoever. I haven't slept on it yet, (I avoided that last night) but I expect to be able to soon. Plus it looks awesome! Good luck.