It's been 2 months now since I had my tragus piercing and felt it was time for a new piercing. After looking around BMEzine, I found the Daith piercing and thought it looked really cute. Also the placement of it looked perfect for someone who intends to sleep on that ear every night.
At A Glance Author Ki When It just happened Artist Didn't catch her name Studio Eclipse Location Camden, London, England I already have lobe, helix and tragus in my right ear so this was my 3rd cartilage piercing.
I had planned to go with a friend but she pulled out at last minute so I ended up taking my 11 year old sister with me. Although I could choose to go to a studio locally, I usually travel to Camden Town, about 15miles from where I live to get pierced. This is for the simple fact that, I don't know anyone who has been there and had a complication. The studio is located about 100meters to your right when you exit the tube station and on first impressions is much cleaner and organised than other studios in Camden. You do not need an appointment for piercings, just walk in. I handed over my £22 (for it to be pierced with a ring, it's £26 if you'd like a bar/curved bar), filled in the forms and they checked my age and photocopied my passport. I have always been checked for ID since in the UK you must be 16 to have all piercings except for lobe (no age) and genital(18). I still don't really understand why they felt the need to actually photocopy my passport...they are purposefully designed to be very hard to forge.
I waited on the chairs outside, feeling quite nervous, the piercer appeared and i felt my stomach do a sharp turn.
Anyhow, within about 2 minutes I was called into the piercing room and I was told I wasn't allowed to bring my little sister in so she had to wait at the desk with the admin guy. The lady who pierced me was the same who had done my tragus and helix and she had always been very friendly and welcoming. The room was painted all white and she marked my ear so i could check for placement. She wasted to time and quickly pierced my Daith, she was obviously very experienced as I've read other accounts at this site and people mention how the piercer has to specially bend the needle (this one was made bent) and often struggled to pierce such an awkward angle.
In regards to the pain, it didn't really hurt, the actual piercing hurt quite a lot less than my Tragus but my piercer had quite a hard time trying to insert the jewelery. I paid the price for being a cheapskate and opting for the CBR and it took another 2 or 3 minutes of trying for her to succeed. At one point she asked me to tilt my head a little more and thats when it went straight in, not really causing anymore pain than I already was in. I was aware my body was shaking slightly and I could feel my neck going red, yet it wasn't unbearable pain and I'd still say the overall pain of the tragus piercing hurt more. I didn't tip the lady, since we just don't tip people much in the UK and I'd never heard of anyone tipping a piercer before I read BMEzine.
As always the pain disappeared as soon as the ball was in place and i took a look in the mirror and loved my Daith. It is exactly where I want it to be and I think it fits snugly into the curve of my ear. I wasn't really surprised at how awkward it was to place the jewelery because I knew it was a tough place to pierce and my Daith is actually quite short.
I left quickly and kept glimpsing at it in every mirror I passed for the rest of the afternoon.
I'm now home, I can't feel the piercing at all unless I pull a huge grin and so far it is looking very healthy. I'll start sea salt soaks soon and hopefully that can help clear up my Tragus at the same time since it randomly started becoming infected a few days ago after a month or so of good progressive healing.
I can't wait to show my friends the piercing, I am yet to see anyone with it apart from online and I really do like it. My parents didn't really think so much of it but as always...they never said no.
If anyone is tempted to get a piercing in Camden, make it at Eclipses because although the service is quick and sometimes even rushed..you definately pay for the hygiene and the experience of those who work there.