First of all, I want to start off by saying I don't know why I waited until I was 18 to get my ears pierced. I guess I didn't think it was as common for guys to get their ears pierced, and it was more of a girls thing. But recently I was looking through BME and became interested in ear lobe stretching. Only a few people I know have had their ear lobes stretched, and after thinking about it I decided I would get my ears pierced and once they heal I would stretch them.
At A Glance Author anonymous When It just happened So, most of the girls I know had their ears pierced by a gun when they were younger, but after talking to a bunch of people I found out that it isn't such a good idea to get your ears pierced by a gun. Some of my guy friends had their piercing done by a needle and said it was a better idea, so I decided I would get it done by a professional and with a needle. Even though it's only my ears, my father didn't want me to do it because he thinks it's "not manly" (and I haven't quite told him my idea of stretching the piercings... yet). But since I am 18, he couldn't stop me. My mother approved, though. She is a much more loving person than he his. She wouldn't care if I had 13 piercings.
So off to a studio I went to get my ears pierced. I knew the guy who works there was reputable because of the good feedback I have heard, and he was nice. I felt silly having made such a big deal out of piercing my ears looking at him. He had his septum, labret and eyebrow pierced. But he made me feel relaxed by telling me how many ear piercings he does in a day, which was a lot. I remember the process was very simple and virtually painless. I did feel a little soreness afterwards but nothing worse than I expected. It's hard for me to come up with words about it, just because it was so simple and easy. My piercer and I talked about music, and the process was over with in what felt like seconds. He counted to three and the needle went right though my left ear, then the right. After I got home my father jokingly called me 'Sarah' instead of Seth, just because I actually got my ears pierced. I've had them pierced for about a week now and I'm waiting until they are 100% fully healed before I start stretching them. And with all of the horror stories I have heard, I will be sure to take it slow, so I don't wake up with a blowout one day.
Later that day, the day I got my lobes pierced, I did change my shirt and ended up ripping an earring out of the hole, which did hurt. But that was just me being careless. It didn't bleed or anything, but it did freak me out a little bit because I thought I might have torn it or something. But I found the earring and put it back in, and I was alright. This only scared me because I had a friend whose earring was ripped out by a seat belt (and there is still a blood stain on his seat belt), which also tore his lobe. But I was lucky enough to have not caused any damage (he, unfortunately, does not wear earrings anymore).
As for the aftercare, it is really easy. I clean them once a day and after a few weeks I will clean them a few times a week. I also use sea salt soaks, which i heard about from a friend who found it helpful. I think it is one of the main reasons why I did not get an infection. There is no redness or swelling and there is absolutely no pain. I am currently wearing little studs. I don't think I will ever put in hoops, but once I start stretching I do like the way the spiral plugs look, so maybe I will wear those. As of now my goal is to get up to a 00g but I'm sure once I get there I will want to go bigger. I hear it's called the "piercing itch".
In piercing my ears, I have inspired some other people to get it done. I wish I would have gotten them done sooner because I really like them, and I would have been able to have started stretching them already. Maybe one day I will become more adventurous and get a few more piercings. I've been interested in lip rings for a while now, too... but I will save that for another story.
Overall, I think piercing my ears was one of the best things I have ever done. I feel like I am in control with what I do to my body. I recommend it to anyone who is trying to find themselves, or for anyone who is just looking for a change. Its liberating and I can't wait until I stretch my lobes!