The first time I saw an industrial piercing was about 6 months ago, on this chick's website. The only piercings I have are 5, all in my lobes. I was immediately jealous of this girl and her piercing, and I kind of tossed the idea around of getting it done. I thought about it off and on for the next few months... and then Spring Break was coming up. I kept looking around at different pictures and websites, and doing my research on the risks, aftercare, healing process, etc. So when my girls and I decided to go out of town for Spring Break, I told them I was going to get it done.
At A Glance Author Taylor Contact Taylor@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Jamie Studio Point Blank Location Hutchinson, KS We got to Hutch, and I thought about it all day. I knew I wasn't going to get it done until the next day, right before we left to go home, so if I felt sick or anything I wouldn't have to walk around the mall. The next morning I woke up and I was soooo nervous... already!! Well I am such a sucker for shopping, and after being at the mall for a little over 30 minutes I was ready to leave for the tattoo/piercing place. I couldn't even focus on shopping, that's how nervous I was. My friend got a tattoo at Point Blank, so she knew where it was. She got to the street it was on, and I was like, "Okay... just keep driving, we're going home." I was about to chicken out, but I just knew I couldn't because I'd been waiting for it for so long!! She drove me there anyway, regardless of what I said. I had a picture printed off of how I wanted it placed on my ear, and I took it in with me. Once we got inside, I went to the front desk and the guy there asked me, "What can I do for you?" I told him I wanted an industrial piercing, and he said the guy who did the piercings had JUST left the place to go home for about 30-45 minutes.
So... instead of waiting around, we left and drove around for awhile. About 45 minutes later, my friend asked me if I was ready to go back. I agreed, and as we were pulling up I was sort of hoping he wasn't back yet so I wouldn't have had to go through with it! (Un)fortunately, he was back.. so I had to have it done. He was very rude to me, did not ask me what my name was or introduce himself to me...and when I showed him the picture he kind of acted like I was stupid since I didn't have the exact same ear. Anyway... I went back to his booth and sat in the chair. He didn't explain anything to me, about all he did was mark my ear and ask me if I liked the placing. He didn't even offer to let my girls come back there with me. They came back anyway, reminding me to breathe through my nose and out my mouth. You should always remember that, or you might pass out! Anyway...he didn't even tell me when he was going to do the first piercing. He pierced the bottom first... and I'm not gonna lie, it hurt pretty bad. Then for the second (top) one, I had to squeeze my friend's hand because I was pretty sure it was going to hurt pretty bad. OMG!!!! IT HURT LIKE HELL!!!!!!!!!! I am not very good at dealing with pain, but DAMN. That was pretty rough. My ear didn't bleed at all, it was just really red. I had brought my own rainbow balls to go on the end, and my piercer put them on for me. He didn't even verbally go over the aftercare with me, he just handed me a sheet and I paid the 60 bucks and left.
All the way home, my ear was throbbing. It was okay the next morning when I woke up, just very sore. I bought some saline solution and cleaned the holes 2-3 times a day with a Q-Tip. I have pretty long hair, so I make sure and have it back or up most of the time. By the fourth day, my lower hole was so reddish/purple and swollen. I thought I might have an infection and I started getting worried. It even bled a little. So I read up a little more on BME and most girls said just DON'T MESS WITH IT. I had been turning the barbell all day every day since I got it done... and let me tell you, that was a mistake!! When you get this piercing, leave it ALONE except for cleaning times. If you play with it and twist the barbell, you are only delaying the healing process. I bought some Dial soap, and I use that each time I shower. Other than that and the saline solution, I don't use anything else. It has been exactly ONE WEEK today since I got it pierced, and although it is still a little tender and swollen, it looks much better than it did on Day 4.
I love all the stares and "OMG"'s I get from people who think I'm "brave". I am really not even a brave person, I just thought the piercing looked cool. Anyway, I am the first person to have it done in our school, and everyone's jealous of it like I was when I first saw it!! If this is a piercing you are considering...I say go for it, definitely. You will be very pleased with it if you clean it properly, and remember, no matter how tempting it is... DON'T PLAY WITH IT!