At A Glance
Author	Erin
Contact	Erin@bme.anon
When	It just happened
Artist	Ryan
Studio	Sinister Skin
Location	Port Moody, B.C.

I was about 8 years old when I saw my first tragus piercing. I was in awe and to be quite honest slightly grossed out but the image has remained with me to this day. I was reminded with my fascination for this piercing when my best friend had hers done and fell completely in love with it. Fast forward to today...


I had my tongue pierced several months back and I was looking for a new body mod. The tragus is subtle and still considered somewhat different from where I live, plus it doesn't endanger my position at work. I was also thinking about getting my nose pierced but I am a little scared of getting some raging infection on my face. My parents were never too keen on me getting things pierced but I am 18 and since it is so discreet they didn't put up much of a fuss.


I made my appointment for 3:00pm at Sinister Skin and was feeling sooo nervous. I don't think I will ever be totally at ease before a piercing. I was definetly scared about the pain and looking like a wimp in front of my boyfriend and the piercer. I made sure to get a bite to eat before so I wouldn't get too light headed afterwards. I brought my boyfriend along for morale support and also just for a hand to squeeze really hard. He's had a tattoo done their too awhile ago and it looks amazing


When we arrived the shop was pretty full so I had to wait a bit letting my anxiousness rise even more. Sinister Skin is the place where everybody goes around Port Moody for piercings and tattoo's. The people are extremely nice and knowledgeable. The shop is really clean too and has an awesome reputation, I definetly recommend it. I picked out a simple silver CBR for 50$ and went into the room with Ryan and my boyfriend. Ryan is super friendly and very good at what he does (he also did my tongue piercing).


First he marked my ear and showed me exactly where the CBR would go, everything looked alright so we continued on. He placed the receiving tub in the inside of my ear, this ensures that the needle wouldnt hit any other parts of my ear. Next he put the clamps on, now Ive never had a problem with clamps until this, they felt like they were pinching alot. Then he told me to breathe in and out a couple times and then the needle went through. No lies, this piercing hurt! Much more than my nipple or tongue. I could feel the needle going through the cartilage. But after a few seconds the pain was gone, screwing in the jewellery was not a problem at all.


It bled for a couple of minutes but stopped soon after. He then proceeded to tell me about the after care:
1. Soak ( 1/4 tsp sea salt and one cup of hot water), let the salt dissolve and using q-tips like chopsticks dip them in the water and place one on the front of the piercing and the second on the back part for 5 minutes)
2. Clean ( using a wet q-tip gently clean the inside and outside of your ear)
3. Turn and push (make sure that the ball touches the front and back of the piercing, if stuff comes out thats okay)
4. Rinse (rinse with lukewarm water to make sure that no sea salt dries on the piercing)


He said to do this about once a day to make sure your piercing heals fine. I tipped him and left the shop. I'm super nervous about getting a keloid so I am going to try to be extra diligent about keeping it clean. And I forgot the most important thing! DO NOT play with it, keep your hands away from it and don't let any body fluids get on it (this gave me and my boyfriend a bit of a chuckle!).


The wind was a little chilly feeling on the ear but nothing serious, it throbbed for a bit but after half hour I forgot it was even there. Cleaning it so far has been no problem, its not easy to turn it yet but I think it'll get easier soon. I was also able to sleep on it the first night which was surprising. All in all I am very happy with my new piercing. It looks absolutely adorable and my boyfriend loves it. Though there is some pain it's definetly worth it! Make sure to go to a reputable place and keep it very clean. I have lots of other plans for other piercings but I am first going to let this one heal. Happy piercing!