I had liked the look of the scaffold piercing (or industrial) for a long time. However, I had put it to the back of my mind for about a year or so and just decided out of the blue to go and get it done.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Mark Studio Marks and Punctures Location Aylesbury, UK The day after I decided to get it pierced I went into town with my mum, who was going to work, and walked the five minute walk to Mark's, when I realised it was nearly 11.30AM and I hadn't eaten yet. I realised it was too late and just continued on my way.
THE PREPARATION
I walked through the door and was greeted by a girl at the desk, who I now know was an apprentice. I told her I'd like a scaffold piercing on my right ear, so she checked my ear to ensure it was suitable, I think she used a picture or something to check it would be OK.
I filled out the form, asking about your age, are you allergic to anything, are you drunk etc. and was getting quite nervous!
A girl came out of the piercing room and paid and Mark came over and asked what I wanted, checked my ear again and in we went to the little room.
I've been pierced there before, so I knew it would be really clean and sterile. I sat on the table and Mark asked if his apprentice could watch for her training. That was fine with me, so she came in as he cleaned and marked my ears. He asked me if I wore glasses, which I do, to ensure the placement was correct. A customer came in (there's a CCTV TV in the room) so she left to serve them.
Mark picked a bar that would be too big, to allow for any swelling as you all know and double checked the placement of the dots. He then took all of the sterile tools out, which was basically just a needle (or maybe two) and some of that freeze spray and a few cotton buds. I was too excited/nervous to notice anything else being taken out.
I checked the placement, which I liked and I trusted Mark's judgement of course. Then my stomach started doing flips as I lay on the table so he could put the numbing spray on. I don't like numbing spray to be honest, because I don't think it works, but it's all psychological, I guess.
THE PIERCING
He pierced the bottom hole first, which felt just like a little squeeze, nothing major at all. Then it was time for the top hole, it was a bit worse because he had to push the needle really hard and then a slight "pop" let me know it was through. I actually said "ooh that one hurt!" out loud- stating the obvious much?!
When he put the bar through, I hardly felt it at all which was good because often that's the worst part! On the whole, it wasn't that painful. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 5. My tragus hurt a lot worse but my tongue has been the least painful to date.
When I sat up, there was some bleeding, so he had to squeeze my ear with tissue paper and cotton buds or something until it stopped. I looked at it and I couldn't stop grinning like an idiot-it looked way better that I had expected!
I paid and then I went on my way back to town, although my legs and hands were shaking! Stupid me for not eating! I had to go to work straight after so I grabbed a quick bite. My boss just went "ouch" when I showed her and loads of my colleagues looked shocked and kept saying how it must have been so painful.
AFTERCARE
It's been only 2 or three days and I have not had too many problems.
I think it has been good so far because I didn't clean it on the first day, I left it until the next day to help it heal a bit.Catching it on your hair is a bugger though, so I would definitely keep it pinned back for a couple of days and be careful when you get dressed/undressed!
I hope it heals as well as my tragus did, which took only a few weeks as I have always been a quick healer when it comes to piercings. Even my nose was totally fine after about 2 and a half weeks! I now clean it twice a day with salt water so it should be fine.
If you like look the scaffold piercing and you are not sure, I'd say go for it. It doesn't hurt all that much and, so long as you don't accidentally catch the piercing, as with all piercings, it should heal well.
That said, we are all different and heal at different rates so listen to your body.