I had wanted my anti tragus pierced for over a year, but as I was only 15 then no reputable place would pierce me while I was still at school. And I didn't want to hand my ear over to a piercer I didn't trust.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened I came back to the idea when I got back from racing boats around Europe (not the best place to nurse a new piercing) I did my research on BME, read just about every experience I could find and decided this super cute piercing was definitely for me.
My friend went to get his tongue pierced, so I decided that now I was 16, had funds and some ID it would be the perfect time to get a new piercing. I decided on anti tragus because it's unusual enough to get noticed, and it looks amazing. I had only seen it on BME and no one I spoke to knew what it was. Coupled with the fact my right ear needed some metal, this was definitely the right piercing for me.
I knew I wanted my anti tragus, so I went with my friend to get his tongue pierced. I didn't like the studio he chose, people were being pierced and tattooed in the same room. As a rule I like a private room where you don't feel like people are staring at you. Plus it seems slightly less hygienic that way, though it's probably just me thinking that.
I don't have too many piercings, just being 16 and having parents who would kill me if I got a labret or septum piercing. I just have a double helix and inverse navel. However I chose to go to the same studio I had used before and I liked and trusted.
Walking up the stairs I could smell the disinfectant, which is always reassuring. I had my ID checked and filled out the form. However I had to wait for nearly an hour to go in to get my piercing. I was expecting a wait because it's a reputable and popular studio, but I took the time to read some body mod magazines and calm myself down for the piercing.I was also consulted to make sure that my ear was suitable for piercing (apparently it's a cracker, so more than enough reason to get some more metal when this one's healed!) The walls were covered in certificates of cleanliness from the council, just for added reassurance.
By the time it came for me to go up i was apprehensive, but not scared. Though I think I cleaned them out of sherbert lemons, had to get my blood sugar up for the piercing.
When I was called up the room was spotless, everything was shiny and the room smelled very clean. The piercer introduced himself and his apprentice (who had never seen an anti tragus performed before, it's a pretty uncommon piercing round these parts). He washed his hands, changed his gloves and he opened all the equipment in front of me, Explaining about how they were all disposed of and cleaned. So he was very professional. We discussed placement and the options for jewelry once the piercing was healed. I chose a bar to go in, I would get a ring caught everywhere.
He checked my ear for veins and sat me down in the chair to pierce me. the clamps were uncomfortable, but bearable. He told me to take a deep breath and on 3 he pushed the needle through. It made a horrible crunching sound, and the piercing itself was painful, but more from the pressure than the needle. The blood came pouring almost immediately, and took a while to stop.
The most painful part was inserting the jewelry, the little ball was hard to get on at such an odd angle. However he got it on quickly and it was done! I loved it! It looked very cute, but a bit red.
After discussing cleaning and care I paid my £20 and was off. Very pleased with a job well done. It stung a little all the way home on the bus, But I had to keep admiring it in the bus window (vanity is a terrible thing)
It's been 3 days now, the piercing has been no trouble. Though I managed to fall asleep on it, and woke up with blood on my ear, though some quick cleaning soon sorted that out. Another emergency when my baby cousin pulled it with his spit covered hands (eugh!). Theres been a tiny bruise, but thats almost gone already.
When I got home my Mam was surprised at my choice, I said I was getting a piercing, I just didn't say which one, I knew she would try and put me off. But I'm determined, so her efforts would have been wasted. But I still went to show it off to everyone!
This piercing is a great one to have. Unusual and cute. People have asked many times already "ooh did it hurt?" The answer is, "a little". So not a pain free piercing, but not too bad for me, and even if it does hurt, don't let that put you off an amazing piercing.