When I was only a few months old my parents got my lobes pierced. When I was about twelve, my younger sister decided she wanted her lobes pierced a second time, and when my parents asked if I wanted them done again, I agreed. It wasn't that I didn't want them done – I did, it was just that at that point, I wasn't into body modification in a massive way.
At A Glance Author Nadiah Contact mad_nadrox@hotmail.com When It just happened Studio Nikki's Body Art Location Maidstone, kent, UK Fast forward to me, aged 17, cartilage professionally pierced and a self done third lobe on my left ear. I desperately wanted more piercings, but I seriously doubted this would ever happen, due to a mum who opposed facial piercings and a dad who pretty much opposed all piercings other than the traditional lobe.
I would surf the net and stare at pictures, longing for another piercing to add to my collection. I considered doing it myself, only I decided against this because not only would I risk infection (I was very lucky to remain uninfected after piercing my own third lobe) but I knew my mum would be even madder if I did it myself than she would be if I got it done at a specialised piercing place.
One day I stumbled across BME, and saw a piercing I had never seen before; the conch. I fell in love at first sight. I thought it was both original and could be kept discreet if I wanted. I HAD to have it. I asked my mum if I could get it done. Her only response was "As long as you don't let your dad see it".
So the following Saturday I was off into town with my sister and my boyfriend, to Nikki's Body Art, which was where I got my cartilage done. I had heard of another, cheaper piercing studio, but I decided against it because I knew that Nikki's was clean and sterile, plus I trusted it whereas the other piercing studio was down a small side street and I had heard that it wasn't particularly clean.
I asked the man at the desk about conch piercings, and he gave me a price list and some heath and saftey stuff. This was when I started to get very nervous. I started to feel my cartilage and realised that my conch was quite thick, and so the piercing was likely to be painful. The shop was quite crowded at that point, with people coming in to enquire about piercings and jewellery, as well as adding to their own collections of piercings. I slipped out, making the excuse to my boyfriend that I would have to 'go and get cash'.
After leaving the shop I told him that I had chickened out. I felt I had kind of let myself down, and I almost felt like crying. I was halfway though town when I changed my mind. "No. I'm getting it done" I said. I could see my boyfriend was getting pretty annoyed with me! By this point my nerves had gone; all I had left was determination. I've always disliked pain, but I told myself I was going to get over this once and for all.
I took out the money I needed and walked back into the shop. It was a lot less crowded this time, and for some reason this helped a lot. I filled in all the forms, paid, and then waited. My nerves were coming back, but I refused to let them win. The person getting before me came out the room; she had just had her tongue pierced and looked about 13 or 14. I though, if she can do it so can I! Then my name got called. I stood up and walked into the back room. I practically forced my poor boyfriend to hold my hand, he looked more scared than I was, coz he doesn't really like needles! I did really appreciate him being there though.
The piercer (whose name I can't remember, damnit!) sprayed some freeze stuff onto my ear, asked me where I wanted it pierced, and I showed her. She cleaned my ear and took the needle out of the sterile packet; at this point I closed my eyes. About five seconds later, my ear was pierced and the bar was in. I was amazed! I hadn't even felt a thing! The piercer must have thought I had gone mad, I kept saying "Oh my god! That was so un-painful! Thank you so much!" again and again. I was shaking all over and I couldnt stop grinning!I looked in the mirror and loved it; it was even better than I had imagined. Even my boyfriend, who isn't really into piercings thought it was pretty cool.
The rest of the day was pretty funny; I walked around town looking in every mirror I passed. For about an hour after I got it pierced, I was completely hyper, and wouldn't stop talking, laughing, and giggling. I was so happy! I conquered my fear, and it just proves that if at first you don't succeed, try again!
It hurt a little bit afterwards, but it was nothing compared to some pain I've gone though. I couldn't sleep on it, but now, just three days after it was pierced, the swelling has already disappeared and I can turn the bar with minimal pain. I'm very happy with this piercing, and I recommend anyone who is considering one to go for it, even if they are scared it will hurt!