Ever since I have known of their existence, I have really wanted an industrial ear piercing. I made my boyfriend at the time get an industrial because my parents said I couldn't get one myself. Living vicariously through someone else didn't quite cut it for me, and I spent years of middle school and high school just admiring them on other people's ears. I'd spend time going through the BME photo galleries wishing so badly that I could have an industrial of my own. I love how the straight steel barbell contrasts the delicate organic shape of the ear. I would draw pictures of girls with them and thought they made the coolest balance. It was the most beautiful piercing to me and I knew I would feel so good with one of my own.
At A Glance Author Helen Contact candyoctopus@gmail.com When A week ago Artist Raul and Paige Studio Rings of Fire Location Spokane, WA A few weeks ago I attempted to give myself one, much to my parent's dismay. Piercing my ears myself is a kind of stress and anger relief I've come to practice as of late and I had pierced my own second lobe holes and cartilage before. Knowing that self mutilation in other shapes and forms was no longer a rational option, piercing was a kind of way I could disguise my lingering desire for the pain. My parents were never too keen on the idea of me piercing myself and usually considered it to be a negative thing, almost a warning sign in a way. Although I'd sometimes use it as a means of bodily harm, getting the industrial was much more to me than that. They decided that if I was that gung-ho about the piercing, I should at least get it done by a professional. So finally, after the last day of school of my 10th grade year, I went to get my dream piercing. Just to make sure I wasn't making a mistake, I Photoshopped a picture of myself with an industrial to get a good idea.
I had talked to friends and people at school with industrials and they had got theirs done at a boring little shop in the mall, so I decided I'd go for a more unique and interesting experience, one I'd really enjoy looking back on. We pulled up to the house and were greeted by Raul and Paige. I remember going to Rings of Fire in their old building located downtown and wondered why they had moved to this new location. We weren't expecting to find a house but it actually made me feel a little less anxious about the pain. They manufacture and design their own jewelry, out of the same steel used in surgical plates and screws for surgery. They also assured me that it wouldn't hurt so bad because they use really sharp needles. Paige was a piercer from Coeur de Alene and was relaxed and had a comforting personality. Raul had grown old and wise in the ways of piercings but perhaps started cocktail hour a bit too early every day. I knew he wouldn't let anything go wrong though.
I told Raul that I had been thinking about a 14, and he looked at my ear and said that would be perfect. It was Paige's first time doing an industrial, so they tag-teamed me. Raul did the top and Paige did the bottom. I had heard so many stories, some saying it hurts like shit, others saying they barely felt it. For me, it was half and half. The top hole hurt really bad and the crunching noise made me squirm a little but I didn't feel the bottom part. It happened really fast and I didn't even notice when they put in the bar. I asked "Is it done?" Not really expecting the answer to be yes. I was surprised and relieved that not only had I finally gotten my industrial, but it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would either. One more perk was that the whole procedure only made a $30 hole in my pocket. They were having a special because Paige was an apprentice. All in all, it was a really great experience.
It's been a week since I got it done. It's been pretty sore but really worth it. I've been tending to it with hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin, nothing too extreme. I think it's best to let piercings heal as naturally as possible, at least that is always what I've found to be the case. A word of advice, however, if you really have a side you love to sleep on, get it on the other ear. Luckily I can sleep on either side but I didn't even consider that problem until after I had gotten it done. I'm really happy with my industrial and advise anyone who has been considering getting an industrial to go out and get it done.