Before I got rook pierced, I got on BME to check out other experiences people had and to look at the anti-tragus pictures. Everyone said that the rook and anti-tragus hurt sooooo bad, and it seriously freaked me out. Everyone was talking about how painful the rook was, and many people said it wasn't really worth it. But, I really wanted it, and I decided that a small amount of pain would be worth an awesome piercing. On the way to Mystic Marks, my hands were clammyish, and I was really excited, but nervous at the same time. I knew it probably didn't hurt as bad as some people said because I had my scaffold done, and that barely hurt either, yet many testimonials (I hope that is the right word) I had read said that it hurt like a bitch.
At A Glance Author Darcy Contact kissing_starlight@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist not sure, but he was cute Studio Mystic Marks Location San Marcos, Texas When I got to Mystic Marks, my piercer was really nice, and he was also very cute, which made me toughen up a little. He had a girlfriend, which was kind of a shame (haha), but he was very chill, and got me ready and sterilized everything really quick. The last time I had had something pierced there, the guy wasn't exactly friendly. He actually seemed really arrogant, and I hate that. This guy was really outgoing, and actually talked to me while he pierced me. He even ended up giving me a discount on some jewelry! He did my rook first. It was so quick, I hardly even believed he was done. I was so surprised; it didn't hurt at all. I had remembered someone talking about an intense heat feeling, and that is exactly what it was. No immediate pain, but just a very weird heat. I realized that I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, and I think I just make myself apprehensive. The anti-tragus hurt a little, but still not bad. It stung more than anything else, but just a brief sting. That's also another story.
Afterwards, I was so excited about getting my rook and anti-tragus pierced. It has been about two months, and I am having a few problems with my rook. It gets irritated very easily, and some skin is actually growing around it, just like it did when I got my scaffold. However, that can go away with tea tree oil. So, if that problem occurs, buy some tea tree oil, and wait until the skin dries up, and just peel it off. It might come back at first, but soon it will go away and not come back. It is also a very sensitive piercing. It seems like it is in the spot right where people hit your ear. I have had quite a few people smack their hand, head, or elbow against my ear. If you want to talk about pain, have someone elbow your newly pierced rook! I have actually, as I am sure most pierced people have, had someone say, "Oh, does that hurt?" while simultaneously jabbing their finger against my ring. Things like this, and my constant obsession over making sure my piercings are clean, are reasons that I believe it takes longer for my piercings to heal. I also can't clean the ring completely because it is a captive ring, and I can't seem to get it out without hurting myself. The best advice I have is to not be like me, and just leave your piercing alone to heal. One really nice thing about this piercing is that when you sleep on that side of your head, it doesn't put too much pressure on the ring. I don't know why; I would imagine that it would put a lot of pressure on that area, but I could sleep comfortably on it almost right after I got it pierced.
All facts aside, when I went to school the next week (we were on Spring break), everyone LOVED it. A few people even wanted one. I suppose that it isn't exactly a uncommon piercing in the pierced and piercer world, but most people who don't look into piercings like that are really quite astonished by it. It is so worth it, and it is a really awesome attractive piercing. One thing I can say though is that, like the scaffold piercing, I think that the rook is more of a feminine piercing. If you are a guy looking for a cool piercing, I would probably suggest the anti-tragus because that is a piercing that looks good on a guy or a girl. And even though it is still irritated, I am so glad that I had my rook pierced, and if you want a really unique combination of piercings, getting your anti-tragus on the same ear looks really cool, too! Now, I am working on getting my septum in a few months. I think that will look really great.