My Conch Experience.
At A Glance Author Green Eyes Contact Green Eyes@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Sam Studio NEXT! Location Vancouver BC It has been about 1 ½ months since I got my Conch pierced. Up until that point I had three lobe piercing's in each ear and was dying to get more. The first three were done with a gun in one of those horrible mall shops and I regret ever letting them near me. Needless to say I was determined to do it right this time.
Directly after work one day in August I decided to go to NEXT Body Piercing and After Care studio to speak with a professional. I had been thinking about what I wanted to get for a long time when I finally decided on a Conch Piercing. I have seen others with them and I have always thought they looked absolutely fantastic! I must say it was great to be able to come to BME and see a variety of pictures so I could be 100% sure of what I wanted! I was a little nervous at first, (ok so maybe more than a little) but when I arrived, Sam talked to me about what I wanted to get done and explained the healing and after care required for a cartilage piercing to heal correctly.
Sam was so great, she took about 20 minutes going over the procedure and helping me decide on what get. We discussed the jewelry types and metals and she convinced me to go with a 12G BB instead of the CBR I was planning on. She explained that with a CBR there it is much more likely it will get bumped snagged and caught in my long hair.
I thought about it a good while because I kind of had my heart set on CBR. After listening to all the reasons why not to have a CBR I went with Sam's advice and bought the BB. I figured I can always change it out at a later date and then use the BB to go in the other ear when I have that one done! Sam told me about 4 months to down size the BB and about 1 year before she would recommend the CBR.
We went into the back room where Sam got me seated comfortably. She prepared herself and the equipment ensuring everything was sterile. She took great care to show me the unopened packages and explained everything all the way through. I told her the general area I wanted to have pierced and explained my plans for future piercing. I wanted to be sure the placing was just right! After we decided on the best placement she cleaned the area and marked it on both sides.
I laid my self down on the table and took started to prepare myself. I was a still little nervous but all in all not to bad. At this point I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my blood stream. I new from other people it would hurt a good bit for a second and then it would be easier after that. Sam gave me a cotton ball with then scent of lavender on it to clam me, and it worked wonders. She asked me to take a deep breath and then again. At the second breath I could feel the tip of the needle just touch me. On the third deep breath she inserted the needle and threaded the BB through, VOILA! I had my new piercing and it looked great! There was a pain was for just an instant when she pierced and then my ear was just warm and kind of achy for the first hour or so. Piece of Cake! It was easier than I anticipated! No Blood no Popping noise Nadda!
I bought the NEXT after care kit which contains a bar of Pears Glycerin Soap, Sea Salt and Chamomile Tea for hot compresses. Right after that I went home on the train. Later that evening (when the adrenaline wore off) It hurt a bit more than before but nothing that would deter me from having it done again! I just soaked it in Hot Sea Salt Water as instructed and that made it feel much better. In fact any time it feels uncomfortable I just soak it for a while. It is like Magic! The piercing "hurt" or was a little "sore" for about 2 weeks after getting it done and then it calmed down to the point where it only hurt if banged or played with too much.
I did the Sea Salt Soaks as instructed for about 1 month and then stopped.. I kept up washing every day but developed a BUMP on the back. I resumed the sea salt soaks and it has been much better ever since. I soak it about 3-4 times a week for 15 min each and it is healing like a charm! I can sleep on it NO PROBLEM. I have no doubt it will take to full year to heal all the way though. No CBR until then.
I love my Conch Piercing and would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it!