I am a strong believer in self-piercing and have found the experience helpful in monitoring and shifting the intensity and description of my chronic pain (constant pounding versus intermittent aching, for example, which is an improvement). I create a new sensation in my body through piercing I completely control. Please understand that I do not advocate this as a general practice; know that professionals are best relied upon for their experience and expertise. Go to a professional for your body mods. I endeavor in this practice because I have tried most everything else and while medication and movement help, I still pursue and accept relief wherever I can find it.
At A Glance Author RKS1st Contact RKS1st@yahoo.com IAM RKS1st When It just happened Artist self Studio my home
I wanted a new "home" for my precious emerald stud, a wonderful gift from a dear friend. I had been wearing it in one of my lobe piercings, but this location did not really show it off the way I wanted. I also wanted more flexibility in changing out jewelry for my lobes. I knew I wanted this "home" to be a cartilage hole but I was not sure exactly where. The extreme downside of this endeavor is that I pierced three times until I found the location I liked. This meant unnecessary and repeated trauma to tissue and high risk of potential complications including infection. I deliberately practice creating a clean environment and am careful about follow-up care. Still, I feel lucky that everything I have done up to now is healing well.
The first location I attempted was essentially a rim piercing. The emerald stud that I have has a butterfly back. I hope to one day convert the stud setting to an 18g barbell mounting but for now, this is what I have to work with. I completed the piercing and put in the stud only to notice the butterfly backing as much as the jewel. I immediately took it out and let it heal. It's amazing how fast the hole starts to close!
I waited a few days and cleaned and massaged the first piercing to support its' healing. Yesterday, with my ear still sore, I pulled out my favorite needle along with other tools and prepared an area in my bathroom as a workplace. I plan on eventually adding a conch piercing and have ordered proper needles for this purpose. I only used a sewing needle again because I knew I wanted to accommodate a conventional small gauge stud. I went ahead and chose the location and did the piercing. When I put the stud in, I realized it was too close to the next piercing. The gem as I could now see, was fairly large in this tight area where it has seemed much smaller in my lobe. I took it out immediately and was discouraged to say the least. Of course, all this can be avoided through consultation with a professional.
I tried one last time and this time, finally, the location was perfect. As I pulled the needle out, I knew I needed to be fast getting the jewelry in as the hole immediately starts to close. It started to bleed, obscuring the piercing. It seemed to disappear! I went through all that and couldn't get the jewelry in? I felt desperate! It started to bleed more as I poked around with the stud. Luckily, I found the hole but the back had already closed over. I pushed the stud through, heard a small "pop," more blood and clamped the butterfly clasp on quickly. I stopped to breathe, sit down and calm down. This was definitely a distraction from any pain I had been feeling! I was shaking (not unusual for me on a good day!). My ear was still sore from the first attempt a few days prior and already the soreness had started from the second. It looked red and felt hot and tight from the earring. I was still feeling an adrenaline rush and then a surge of deep satisfaction came. I had done it. I gently rinsed the blood away with first cold water to help ease the inflammation, and then warm water to soothe the piercing further.
Now the day after, it is behaving and healing the same way as my other cartilage piercings. I am careful to do my sea salt soaks twice daily, rinsing gently beforehand. I'm only using warm water for now; I'll start with diluted tea tree oil soap tomorrow. I emphasize diluted because I've discovered that the skin on my ears dries out and will actually peel (like a sunburn) if the soap is too strong. I've noticed I have to be careful putting glasses on as the piercing is located toward the top center of my ear and I sometimes brush the backing. This will be solved once I have the earring remounted.
I want to reiterate that I fully accept the risks involved in self-piercing. This is not something I would recommend to anyone. I make mistakes and suffer the consequences of my choices accordingly. I am deeply committed to this attempt to feel and exercise some control over a body that has betrayed me. This is a very personal process and I want to make it clear that a professional piercer can offer you the safety and advice that is needed to receive a piercing that is beautiful and will last. It is well worth the time and money invested to make informed choices.
peace.