First of all a thank you to all the other people who submit experiences to this site, without you all I probably wouldn't be writing this right now.
At A Glance Author gdp Contact gdp@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Myself Studio My House Location New Zealand I had been wanting to get something pierced for several years now, at the age of 15 I discovered this site and browsing it turned a mile passing interest into a strong desire, for along time I was obsessed with getting a Prince Albert but I've kind of gone off the idea although I may still in the future. The problem with all this is my parents are really strict and anti-piercing on guys and every time I asked about getting something pierced the response was always, "Over my dead body".
Anyway 3 weeks ago tomorrow I finished school early and was sitting at home bored, this was after recently developing an obsession with stretching my ear. Without really thinking about it, and yes I know it was a stupid idea, I grabbed a sewing needle burned the end with a lighter and stuck it in a shot-glass full of Dettol. I then numbed my ear with ice for about 5 minutes and headed to the bathroom to put a hole in my ear. By the time I actually worked up the courage to do the piercing my ear was no longer numb but I managed to push the needle through with a lot of effort. Unfortunately the exit hole was on the edge of my ear so I had to redo it again. This time it came out in the right place and I pulled out the needle and stuck in a stud which I had "borrowed" off of my Mum.
The next day I went into our local piercing shop and bought a 16 gauge cbr, the girl at the counter insisted that changing the piercing after one day was a bad idea but me being stubborn and stupid did it anyway, it worked out ok though as nothing bad happened and it didn't even bleed. I also purchased some diluted tea tree oil and started using this about 3 times a day.
About a week and a half later I went back to the shop again and this time bought a 14 gauge cbr. I went home and again this went in with no trouble I think because id been playing with the previous ring constantly. It was around this time that my parents finally noticed the ring in my ear and their response was fairly typical of them, Dad, "How much did that cost you" and Mum "You could have at least gotten it in the ear that doesn't mean your gay", it's in my left ear and she would have said the same thing if It had been the right one/
Then today I was in town and I decided to buy a stretcher/taper. Back to the shop I went and I had the choice between a 5mm/4gauge and a 6mm/2 gauge and I went for the 6mm. I know going from 14-2guage in one go is probably incredibly dumb but I'm impatient.
So I got home, popped a couple of Neurofen had tea and then ran myself a hot bath. I made sure to thoroughly soak my earlobe in the hot water and gave it a good massage. I then got out and went to the mirror, I took out my cbr, lubed up my ear and taper with liquid and soap and started to push the taper through. I got about a 3rd of the way along the taper before I started to get the burning sensation working through the pain I got another 3rd through and now was left with the final small bit before the taper evened out. I tried and tried but couldn't get it any further, so I got back in the bath, put my ear into the water and pushed the final bit through. I stuck some tea tree oil on and then stuck on the 0 rings.
My parents haven't seen it yet and I don't know what their reaction will be when they do but knowing them it won't be good. It's ok though because they'll get over it eventually.
All in all it has gone pretty well, I probably did some stupid things such as piercing it myself, changing the jewelry too early and stretching 14-2 gauge in one go but after a couple of hours its no longer hurting and seems ok. I however wouldn't recommend others do what I have done as you might not be as lucky as I have been.
I still want to get other piercings, mainly my eyebrow for now and possibly a lip ring, these would however never go down well with my parents and I also am not allowed facial piercings at work. The idea of a Prince Albert has however never left my mind but I don't know if I'd have the guts to do it. For now I am going to focus on stretching my ear, my next goal being 10mm/00 gauge but we'll see where it goes.