I've been wanting my tragus pierced for about 2 years on and off now, but I'd never been able to work up the courage to actually get it done... until last week. I've recently started university, and I don't really like it at all, so I'd promised myself a "reward" if I could stick it out and try hard for the first month. Well, I've managed that, so I decided to treat myself :) I went down to PX Piercing last Saturday with my boyfriend, in the hope of getting it done.. but as I should've known, PX gets really busy on a weekend, and so there were no appointments left. I was actually kind of glad, because I'd worked myself up into a bit of a state about getting it done, so the time probably wasn't right.
At A Glance Author jen Contact jen@bme.anon IAM jenjenjen When A week ago Artist not sure, sorry! Studio PX Piercing Location Newcastle upon Tyne, UK I'd been arranging to go out with my friend Felicity the next week, and we'd previously both had our navels pierced together, so I knew she probably wouldn't mind coming with me when I went to get my tragus done. I suggested it to her and she seemed to think it was a great idea, so that was the plan. On Thursday we arrived at PX and I got an appointment straight away. I was hardly even nervous this time, more excited, and I knew it'd be ok. I'd been reading loads and loads of experiences on BME beforehand, half of which seemed to say it hurt loads, and half of which seemed to say it didn't hurt at all, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Also, by this point I'd kind of decided on getting a vertical tragus piercing, but I thought I'd ask a few questions first.
As soon as we got in, I asked about the possibility of getting a vertical tragus piercing, but I was told that PX don't perform it due to high rejection rates, so that made my decision for me! I was also told that my tragus might be a little small, but the piercer (I don't know her name, but she's lovely) checked it and told me it was fine. Yay! Felicity and I had to sit in the waiting room for a little while as there was someone in before us, and then finally I got called in. I filled out the forms, showed some ID and then had the procedure explained to me, as well as all the equipment shown to me - including brand new needles and jewellery in packets etc. I had to sit on the edge of the bed thing (which was covered with paper as ever) while I had my ear marked with a brand new pen, and then I was shown the jewellery and the placement, and it looked great. Then I had to lie on the bed on my right side (as I was getting my left pierced). At this point, both the pierces were chatting away to me and Felicity, and I said "will it make a noise? I've heard it makes a noise?" and they both started giggling at me and said "maybe!". I felt a lot calmer then. The piercer filled my ear with tissue paper and sprayed something (I'm not sure what) very very cold into my ear, and then it was time to pierce it. She put her finger in my ear and said I'd feel a little pinch, and then it was done! It hardly hurt at all, and putting the jewellery in wasn't so bad either. Plus, there was no crunch! The needle went through from the inside of my ear outwards, which now seems like the logical way, but beforehand I thought it'd go from the outside in. I just thought i'd mention that!
I had to lie down for a while until it stopped bleeding so that I wasn't walking round the streets of Newcastle with blood dripping down my face, and then I was shown my new piercing... it looks so good! I still can't believe it's my ear, hehe. Next I was given aftercare instructions on a little leaflet, and I paid & tipped them £5 for being so lovely (I really can't stress enough how lovely they are, and how calm they make you feel, they were even talking to Felicity the whole way through as well as me so she wasn't just sitting there), we helped ourselves to free toffees and then left :)
I got the piercing last Thursday, and today is Tuesday. So far it hasn't been too problematic, I've been cleaning it with Savlon wound wash twice a day (which is what was recommended to me), and today it was a little sore for some reason so I've had to take some ibuprofen, but I was warned that this might happen. I'm still having trouble sleeping on my left side, but it hasn't even been a week yet so I'm not surprised. Overall I think it looks ace, even though my parents and sister think it's "disgusting", and Felicity liked it so much she was tempted to have hers done!
If you live in/near the North East, I'd definitely recommend PX Piercing, their studio is in Chinatown in Newcastle, on Stowell Street. They're so friendly and accommodating, and the studio is pretty much the cleanest place ever. I wouldn't go anywhere else.