To put it quiet simply my tragus' freak me out, the very thought of touching them makes me cringe and shiver. Just like the thought of pulling a glove of with my teeth or scratching a fork on a plate. It's that exact feeling I get when touching or even thinking about touching my tragus. So being able to write an experience about MY tragus piercing feels extra special to me.
At A Glance Author Poppy Contact littlemisstiny_86@hotmail.com IAM _black_velvet_ When N/A Artist Keith Studio Steel Paintbrush Location Durham N.E England I had been thinking about it for a few weeks before hand and finally felt ready to go though with it. So I decided that I would go get it done after my last A level exam. I was meeting Tim afterwards and I knew he would make sure I got it done (anything to see me in pain). In the morning, before my exam Tim had phoned me to find out what was happening that day, so I told him, I knew now that I couldn't go back on my word!
I went for my exam, and 1 ½ hours later came out and met Tim at the gates. 'Come on then' was the first thing he said to me as he grabbed my hand and took me up the hill to 'Doc Black' a gothic clothes and jewelry shop that's new in town. Downstairs in it is 'Steel Paintbrush' a tattoo and piercing studio. Tim went in first pulling me by the hands as I dug my heels in the ground. We went down the stairs; I hesitated and looked around the shop first. I was so nervous, we finally went in and the only guy there was on the phone but told us to sit down and wait. Tim tried to distract me with his 'Mod Con' book that he had received the same day, this seemed to work but the overpowering nervousness got the better of me.
I kept starring at the guy behind the counter, he was covered in tattoo's, had both sleeves done and several neck tattoo's, I think he had facial ones too but I don't remember he looked really scary had that whole just got out of prison look it made me a bit more nervous, however once he started talking to me he was really lovely (don't judge a book by its cover). He was on his own and told me he wasn't all to keen on doing a tragus piercing as they are a bit awkward to pierce. But he had done them before so would do it for me. He took us through to another room, it was quiet small and had squeaky floor boards, Ok it didn't look the most hygienic place but it wasn't too bad. They guy showed me the jewelry he wanted to use, but I wanted a labret stud as it would be easier in my ear to cope with. But the ones he had were far too big, and even the ones upstairs weren't right so we both decided that we would just use the BCR we were going to use in the first place.
So, we are all back in the little room with the squeaky floor boards and the guy is sorting out the equipment, washing his hand etc. while I sign the form giving him permission. Tim was beside me giving me lots of support and hugs. I sat on the edge of the 'bed' that they had saying 'Oh God, Oh God' over and over again. 'I usually get called Keith!' the guy told me as I try to laugh my nerves away. The guy now known as Keith hid all the equipment from me and made sure I couldn't look at them, which I thought was a really nice touch. But I really wanted to see what he was about to do to me ear.
He clamped my tragus which I found particularly uncomfortable. I then get a bit confused about the procedure as well I couldn't see. I remember that it took a lot longer then I had expected it too. As he tried several different techniques and positions so that the needle would go through, this took what seemed like about 3 or 4 minutes to do and I was very resentful of him going near me each time he stopped to do the next step of the piercing. Tim found it very amusing as each time Keith touched my ear I moved closer and closer to the bed, leaning further away from Keith, he had to keep telling me too sit back up and trying to soothe me with words like 'darling' and 'its nearly over love'.
Once the whole procedure was finished it was a quick exit, paid him, said thank you, looked in the mirror and more or less left, he gave me brief after care instructions, he obviously knew both me and Tim had enough healthy piercings to know how to look after them, but still made sure anyway.
As we left 'Steel Paintbrush' walking into 'Doc Black' the guy who owned the place asked to see my new addition. Happy with it and full of adrenaline, I showed him with a smile which probably looked a bit funny as I was still shaking at the thought of having my tragus pierced. After Tim had bought more jewelry we left for a well deserved cigarette and a sit down.
Now a few months later I'm still really proud that I got my tragus pierced; it's one of my favorite piercings and I'm glad I found the courage to get it done. But I do advise to go to somebody with a bit more experience in the piercing that you want. And to find the best piercing studio in your area!