I say uneventful, and mean it, but only in the best possible sense.
At A Glance Author Mell Contact missmellaniestyx@gmail.com When It just happened Artist Nici Studio Hype Location Newcastle, UK On Friday, I went into Hype (the piercing studio around here that I've heard nothing but good things about) to ask about getting a rook piercing the following week, the guy said to come back any day except monday and I did. I got a great first impression. The guy behind the counter had a lot of (well healed) piercings, and the place SMELLED clean. It stunk of clean. I was happy.
My best friend has wednesdays off, and she owed me a birthday meal, so we decided wednesday would be the day and that we'd meet at 11:30. I'd eaten my breakfast, but being aware that adrenalin and an empty stomach don't agree with me I'd had a muffin (double chocolate!) at 10ish.
So, wednesday arrives 11:30 rolls around and we walk the 15 or so minutes to the studio.
I wasn't too nervous at all, I have 6 helix piercings on my right ear so knew the pain couldn't be too much worse and from what I'd seen on friday the people in Hype were nothing but lovely to top it all I had my best friend to laugh at me if I passed out or gushed gallons of blood. What could go wrong?
I walked in and approached the girl at the counter and asked if I could get a rook piercing. She said sure, that it was no problem and could I wait a sec until she printed a few forms. There were a few customers and a couple of staff members laughing and joking, which I guess would have shattered any nerves I did feel. The girl handed me the form and asked me to fill it in (normal questions, DOB, Address, had I eaten well, slept well, drank alcohol etc) and asked me to pay my £20 now just to make things easier. She asked me what kind of jewelery I was after. She said it would probably be a curved barbell, if it was a barbell, or did I want a ring. I opted for Barbell as I had learned from experience with my helix piercings that long hair and hoops just do not get on. I payed my £20 and she led me downstairs to the piercing studio.
It was a bit of a shock walking into the clean white rooms down stairs after coming from the bright purple graffiti and tattoo designs upstairs, but everything looked as clean as it smelled, it was uncluttered and I was reassured that everything would be ok.
I sat on the bench while the girl (who told me her name was Nici)
sorted a few things out, and my best friend Cel sat on a chair in the corner. Nici washed her hands, put on some gloves and asked me to lie down so she could take a look at my ear and see what size jewelry would be best. She decided on a size (I forget now) wiped my ear with an antiseptic wipe, changed her gloves again and went to get a needle.
She marked the spot on my ear and after a few attempts to tame the hair on the side of my head, we decided it would be best for me to tie my hair back so I didn't end up with a hairy piercing.
She got out the clamps and attached them to my ear, apologizing, saying that this probably hurt more than the piercing would. She decided that either my ear was too small, or her hands were too big. Either way, she couldn't manoeuvre her hands properly to do the piercing, she took the clamps off and did it free hand instead.
She asked me for a deep breath in, then out, and I felt a quick burning sensation and I was done. She popped the barbell through and attached the ball and let me go check in the mirror.
She said the bar was longer than I'd need eventually but she preferred to keep a longer one in while it was in the first stages of healing so it was easier to clean. She took me through basic aftercare, gave me a (extensive) more detailed list and gave me the number for the studio and her name telling me to come and find her if I had any problems.
Cel asked if she was suitable for a tongue piercing, and Nici said it was no problem to check now. She really was lovely, I'd definitely recommend anybody go to her. She was really friendly as well as being completely professional.
My friend and I went asearchin for antibacterial soap and sea salt (which I remembered I had at home) and I had to concentrate very hard on not touching my shiny new ear.