After about 3 weeks of intensive searching and researching on different ear piercings I decided on orbital lobe piercing. When I was ready to go and do it I called up my best friend, after all I think everyone should include someone they love in their mod process.
At A Glance Author Katie Contact firegirlemtcop@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Chris Holepunch Studio 252 Tattoo Location Columbia Station, Ohio I went in with my best friend, Becky to 252 Tattoo Columbia Station and saw Chris Holepunch. I told him what I wanted. He said that was cool, that he did not think he had done a whole lot of those because most people tend not to do orbital piercings in their lobes.
I submitted the proper paperwork and ID because I WILL NOT go to a shop that does not require ID. Then I went in to the little orange room where people pay to get stabbed and have metal objects thrust through the fresh wound.
I told Chris exactly what I wanted and where I wanted it. I had my ears pierced as a kid and was hoping he could re-pierce through the now closed up holes. After measuring and double checking he said that would be fine because the original holes were in good places.
He measured my ear lobe and the jewelry and talked about which gauge I would have. I was thinking 14ga or 12ga and he informed me 14ga would be best to start with.
He marked my left ear first, had me check the placement, I checked with my friend, and we all agreed it was good. I wanted just a standard Captive Bead Ring (CBR) with the bead on the outside.
It was at this point that I realized my long hair was in the way and I had left my hair band at home! This is another good reason to have a friend. She lent me one of hers. So this is a tip I have to offer to men and women with long hair. Do not forget to make sure your hair will not be in the way. Some piercers have you lie on your side, some have you sit. Either way, it's good to be prepared.
He thought for a moment on which way to best approach it, which hole to do front to back, which one to do back to front. After he had decided which way he was going to go he got the needle ready and got the clamp on my ear. He was ready, I was ready, my friend was not so sure if she was ready.
Now was crunch time. I felt a little pressure from the clamp and he said "OK, take a deep breath in ... and out..." and on the "out" he pierced my ear. I honestly am not sure which one he did first, top or bottom; I didn't really feel it much. I was surprised at how little pain there was.
Now, I am not a piercer, so I am not really sure what one has to do with a CBR to get it in right but I know there was some kind of clamp and some crunchy metal sounds. He told me if he pinched me to let him know immediately, or if I felt any pain at all. I never felt pain, just pressure.
The right ear was the same process, measuring, marking, checking, clamping, and breathing in and piercing on the exhale. The right side hurt more than the left, but it still was not that bad. Mr. Holepunch also told me my right ear bled more than the left. So at least now I know which side is my picky side. He told me to remember this so when I change jewelry or get more piercings I can tell the piercer and they'll be extra careful on that side.
Now, I did not mention, and it is well worth mentioning, that throughout the entire process Chris was extremely diligent in his aseptic technique. I think the guy went through 10 pairs of gloves. Every time he would touch something not on his thoroughly sanitized table or my ear he would change gloves. I also (having been an EMT and a frequent observer in surgery) noted the reusable clamps are autoclaved and used only on one client between autoclaving. The needles all were sterile and single use, and they went into the disposable sharps container. The point I am making here is that his technique was flawless. It is always better to be overly careful than not careful enough.
After I had my jewelry in he gave me the aftercare instructions and chatted with me about what to do. He said I could either dunk my ear lobes in the sea salt water or use a cotton ball or folded up paper towel. I could do whichever worked best for me and kept the pierced skin wet and warm for the entire 10 minutes. I found with the very fresh piercings that a cotton round (typically used for make-up) worked beautifully. It was gentle enough that it did not hurt but it got the blood and crud off. After it was not extremely fresh I discovered that I could fit my ear into a shot glass filled with hot sea salt water. I would not do this with cartilage because that part of my ear was folded, but the lobe was fine. Cotton swabs also work nicely to gently clean the icky stuff.
I had my piercings for about 2 weeks and they were feeling pretty good. Then one day I woke up and there was blood on my pillow case and some dried blood on my ears on both sides. As soon as the shop opened up that day I called Chris to ask him about this. He told me as long as it was not extremely swollen or painful it was just part of the normal healing. He explained that when two holes are connected with one piece of jewelry it tugs on both holes whenever something bumps the ear. It was not even two days later and it was back to no blood.
I am now a month out from piercing. It feels good, looks great, and is healing quite nicely. I am very happy to own these piercings!