Abstinence!
At A Glance Author Wilburt Contact Wilburt@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Paddy O'Donohoe Studio Body Shock Location Dublin, Ireland 16th July, 24:40am.
Later on today will be my last football match of the season! Guess what that means!?... Yes new piercings. Due to the heavy contact of American football and some mis-haps along the way I was unable to get any new ones. Mainly because they wouldn't have time to settle and just on the slight off chance that they would heal they'd most likely get agitated and reject eventually. I haven't felt the rush of a needle sliding through my tender skin since December last. How I miss it.
As my last game soon approaches I have been pondering away as to what get done. Images from the site here flashed before my eyes, anti-tragus piercings to hand and tongue webs all being absorbed by myself. It eventually struck me that all my piercings are "normal", what I mean to say is that they have not been stretched. I suddenly thought "stretching my lobes seems like something interesting and new". So after work on Monday I am going to head into town and visit Paddy in Bodyshock. Most likely have a quick chat with him, pick out some jewelery and finally stretch them.
19th July, 18:53.
Went in yesterday to get my lobes stretched. The assistant was showing me the different sizes that I could choose from. She kept showing me bigger and bigger sizes and I eventually went for a 6. However Paddy said to go from nothing to a 6 would require either a dermal punch, or piercing it to a 3 and then stretching it to a 6. He also stated that it would hurt like nobody's business and the likelihood of my lobes tearing was quite high. As it turned out he had no dermal punches with him, he asked me to come back tomorrow and think about what size I would like. So I went home pondering about what to do, the thought of dermal punching my ear lobes doesn't really approve to me. But as Paddy saw it, it was the safest way to get to a 6 without too much hassle. He had my best intentions in mind.
I was very apprehensive about the dermal punches, because it is removing tissue. I posted a query on my local message board asking what they thought. A few people replied. They said that dermal punching was quite a drastic measure to take, but if I wanted to go straight to a 6 it is most likely the best way. Another poster recommended that I go to a 3, let them heal and then slowly stretch my ears some more. This sounded like a great idea, I think I have the patience. Well maybe a daily look at blow outs on the site will keep me in line. So I decided to ask Paddy to pierce it to a 3 and leave it at that for the time being.
Earlier today I woke up and made my way into town. Walked up to the shop and told the receptionist what I would like done. She said no problem and gave me a form to fill out with my details on it. Filled it out no problem, she took a look at it and smiled. Paddy then came out and I told him what I would like done. Picked out a nice pair of ear rings and went into the piercing room. As a side note I would like to state that the place is very clean, it even smells clean. Like hospital smell if you get me? Paddy sterilized the jewelery naturally, put on some latex gloves. Then continued to clean my ears with what I presume was an anti-septic cloth. He then unpacked the needle and pierced my lobes to a 3, inserted the jewelery and it was done! Not really rocket science for a guy who does it for a living!
I stayed behind for a little bit chatting with him about a subdermal implant, basically just chit chat. He also gave me "the talk", you know, about cleaning procedures and whatnot. I paid the receptionist and went on my merry way. Also thanked them both for a very pleasant experience.
I am very happy with the results, the throbbing has stopped for the moment and I have cleaned them with warm salty water. Also removed the dried blood from them quite delicately. Anyone who is considering stretching their lobes should look into it and see if its for them. Locate a reputable piercer and maybe go have a quick chat with them about it. Also have a good luck at their portfolio of healed piercings just to make sure. If you are ever in Ireland go pay Paddy a visit. Lovely guy and a very skilled piercer in my opinion.
The 6 month wait was worth it in the end.