I'd been thinking about getting an industrial for a while. I saw someone with one about six years ago, and have been fascinated by it ever since. I had a cartilage piercing about ten years ago that was done at the mall before I knew better, and, of course, it was really difficult to heal because it was pierced with a stud. It didn't really heal until after I'd gotten three or four below-the-neck piercings and the piercer noticed and recommended I put a CBR in. I did, and it healed up quickly. So, I had three holes in each earlobe and a cartilage piercing in my left ear that I wore a very subtle ring in. All my other piercings could be covered by clothing.
At A Glance Author Nightingale Contact Nightingale@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Ron Studio Kari Barba's Outer Limits Location Orange, CA The industrial was a big step for me, because it's something I can't hide easily. I'm 26 years old, and my parents are still going to freak when they see me next.
So, I'd been to Outer Limits twice before. Once to get a new barbell for a piercing, and once to put CBRs into the second holes in my lobes, which I hadn't worn earrings in for a year or so. I met Ron, who used a taper to put the CBRs in, and was a very knowledgable piercer. I think he said he'd been piercing for 13 years! I asked him about the industrial then, but didn't want to do it at that time because my ears were already sore from stretching my lobes from nothing to a 16g. So, Ron tells me he's got the next couple of days off, and that he'd be back on Wednesday. I decide I'm getting an industrial on Wednesday.
This was the first piercing where I'd made my decision but then had to wait several days. I'd mulled over the other piercings for weeks or months, but the moment I made the decision to do it, I went out to get it done. I really wanted Ron to do the piercing, so I waited. And I got more and more nervous. I did WAY too much research for my own good. I read every single industrial horror story that I could find. It seemed like people said it hurt like their heads were on fire, or it didn't hurt at all. From my experience with my cartilage piercing, I doubted that it wouldn't hurt, so I was expecting to find myself in the extreme pain category.
When I got to Outer Limits, Ron and I talked for about fifteen minutes about what I wanted and what the right jewelry for me would be. We decided on an 18g barbell. We picked the 18 because the thinness of the barbell wouldn't overpower my features, and the smaller balls on the ends made my long hair less likely to snag. We used a titanium barbell, internally threaded of course. The top piercing would be just above where my glasses sit on my ear, and the bar would be at a 45 degree angle. He drew lines all over my upper ear to get the placement just right.
Ron told me that the secret to piercing industrials and using a barbell straight off was to pierce one hole one gauge larger than the barbell. So, the bottom hole would be pierced at an 18, and the top at a 16. Doing this allows the piercing a little wiggle room so it can properly align itself, because pretty much nobody will get the angle dead perfect. This way, the body can adjust the jewelry to a comfortable spot.
He has me lie down on the table, on my side, and takes a paper towel with an ear-shaped hole and puts it over my ear in case it bled. I start to get really nervous here, because this is the first piercing I've had that I haven't been able to watch. Ron pokes my ear with a toothpick or something to tell me where I'm going to feel the needle, tells me to take a deep breath, and then ouch. Yep. just ouch. not OUCH! it wasn't bad at all. It hurt but not anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. The second hole hurt a bit more and made an interesting popping sound. The second hole was the larger one, so I guess that's to be expected.
The barbell was in without a problem, and there was barely any blood. It didn't hurt unless I bumped it. It's about 24 hours later, and I only notice it when I forget about it and bump it or something.
I'm really glad I got this piercing. It was soooo worth it. If you're reading this because you're afraid, don't be. Just go get it done. The pain only lasts a second, so even if it hurts, it's over before you really process that it hurt.