For a long while I had really wanted to get a piercing - I had wanted one for so long (going back to my weekends spent in Camden) but never had enough motivation, until about six months ago.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A month ago Studio Self Sacrifice Location London UK It was then that I got a random ear cartilage piercing, but it soon became infected and I had to take it out. For about two months after my ear felt lonely and I decided that I needed to change that. I wanted a piercing that was different and I started to look on BMEzine to find some inspiration - and I did. I saw the industrial piercing and almost 'fell in love with it' - so to say. I had to do it. Now, as with many others I've read here, I'm scared of needles and not a fan of pain either - but I guess my analogy was that it only hurts for a second and after that it's relatively painless.
I drilled the idea into my head for aroundabouts two weeks and convinced myself so much of it that it seemed stupid to go back (plus I'd told all my friends so I'd feel like a bit of a prat backing out). I decided that I'd go back to the place I'd been before - self sacrifice - because when I went there everyone was friendly and it was all sterile - even though first time it was on a whim during the Oxford Street Festival. I figured that the next Friday would be a good time to do it since I'd be in London anyway for a concert.
So, after eating muchos pizza (so I wouldn't pass out) I gathered up my boyfriend and his friend and made the trek down on the tube - by this time I had major butterflies and was about to be sick of nerves! When we got outside I dithered for a bit, but was soon pressured downstairs with "you brought us here, now you're gonna get it pierced". so i went down the stairs to the basement, told the guys what I wanted to do, filled out a form and as soon as I knew it, I was on a recliner chair and (as the British would say) bricking it.
Now it just so happens that the same guy who pierced my ear before was doing it again - and that put me at ease coz he was a nice bloke (with tattoos and piercings - I like to stick to the guys who know what they're doing!) He was real talkative and told me exactly what he was doing. However, he did take a long time fiddling about with the ink, marking the spots and so on... all the while I was getting increasingly nervous - especially when I saw the shiny needle he was about to use. After he'd marked up the spots and I was happy with it, he placed what appeared to be a hollow metal tube between the two spots on my ear and said "are you ready". I was, but on instinct said "no" - he laughed and carried on. He begun with the top one, which hurt, I'll admit and it took what felt like a minute for the needle to reach the other hole on the other side of my ear. Ouch - I yelped like a dog, but it was all over before I knew it. He slipped the bar in really quickly and attached the balls and *bam* it was done. I showed it to all the guys working in the shop and they were all smiles - but it's not like they've never seen one of those before.
My boyfriend and his mate thought it was cool - so did I - after all the waiting it better had been! It was red raw for about 2 hours afterwards, but a tasty doughnut and soft drink helped ease the pain. I went to the concert that night, feeling really chuffed to say the least and had a really great time - I do think the euphoria of the piercing helped a lot!
It's still healing now (obviously); upkeep isn't bad - it gets a warm salt-water bath twice a day to keep it clean, but looking v. cool. I do find it hard to sleep on and usually sleep on the other side or on my arm but I can definitely say that it was totally worth while. The scary thing is, it's inspired me to get more, wilder piercings - it's my youth come alive! As far as advice goes - I'm not gonna lie it'll hurt a little at least (varying people have varying experiences) but its totally worth it - I still smile every time I see it.
If you want it - go for it!!