I've always liked piercings and tattoos for as long as I can remember. There was just something about them that struck me as neat and intriguing. Not only did many piercings look great, but there was something captivating about them. It was more than just a fashion statement.
At A Glance Author line andree When Five years ago Artist i don't remember the name! Studio Future Skin Location Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Many may think I was "too young" to get my industrial when I did, but I've always been very mature. I've repeatedly been told that I was extremely mature for my age, and as I look back, I don't regret a thing.
At twelve years old, I was into the punk rock thing (since then, I have changed). I wore my Trip pants and felt good; but what I really wanted was an industrial piercing. I had seen it on a few people and just loved it. I already had three lobe piercings and my cartilage; but at the time, I felt that those were too mainstream. The next step was convincing the parentals. At first they were rather intimidated; they were scared that when I got my first piercing I would want more. And boy, were they right!
After various conversations and a large amount of internet research, my parents agreed. My dad brought my cousin and I downtown Ottawa and we cruised Rideau street (which has a large amount of piercing/tattoo studios). We looked around at many shops (mainly for piercing certificates and hygiene) and looked at different portfolios. We then chose Future Skin; friendly staff, many portfolios, and they were very helpful in answering the many questions we had.
I was a few months shy of my thirteenth birthday then. The people at F.S wanted to see my dad's ID to make sure he was in fact my father. They said they usually didn't pierce anyone under 14, but because I was close to my thirteenth birthday, seemed informed and mature, and my dad was with me, they would do it.
A really friendly female piercer was going to do it for me. She walked me through what was going to happen, since she knew it was my first real piercing. She asked me where I wanted it to sit exactly and made sure I was okay with the placement after she marked me up. She said she didn't want to put a bar in immediately. The reason being it may heal badly and with scar tissue; I was fine with this. There was no point in trying to convince an experienced piercer who obviously knew much better than I. I just wanted a piercing I would be happy with for a long time.
Two consecutive piercings was slightly brutal; I remember becoming dizzy. The worst part of the procedure for me was the clamp. The pain wasn't extreme, but it was apparent. The first of the two piercings, was the one closest to my scalp; this one was the worst. When it was finished, I was really happy with it. I got CBRs in the new piercings, which still looked good. I would later put a bar into it.
My piercer went on to explain aftercare. At future skin, they give a free check up on piercings and tattoos. I was pretty happy about that (I also went for my free check up).
The experience was great; the studio was informative, clean, and had really friendly staff. I've gone there for more piercings, and it's always a positive thing.
My industrial is amazing. It is one of my favourite piercings of my current 12 I have got. It healed slowly, but that was probably due to my constant picking at it. Since then, I have learned not to do that. A large "lump" developed on the piercing closest to my scalp. After noticing the infection, I followed the after care instructions given at Future Skin and cleaned it twice a day with a solution (can't remember the name of the solution). It cleared up quickly, I would say two-three weeks after starting the routine. Since then, I've been completely infection free.
I have no scar tissue on either piercings. I'm really happy with that (duh) because I have seen several infected industrials that later got large amounts of scar tissue. I still clean my industrial (as well as the rest of my piercings) once or twice a month just for hygienic reasons.
I don't regret getting the piercing at the age I did. I know I was quite young at the time, but I don't think that should dictate the decisions that are in fact reversible (I can always take a piercing out). I chose my industrial because it looked awesome, because it could be hidden by hair easily, and because I felt that I'd be happy with it years later. And I still love it!
At this point, I'm pumped for my next piercing (my Monroe) that I will be getting at Future Skin later this week!