| At A Glance | |
| Author | Keri |
| Contact | Keri@bme.anon |
| When | It just happened |
| Artist | a really sweet girl with pretty much no piercings |
| Studio | Top Shelf Tattooing |
| Location | Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY |
I have been feeling really depressed lately because my boyfriend of 2 years just left for the summer. I was having trouble eating and went from 100 pounds to 94 pounds in 3 weeks, which is obviously not a good sign considering I'm trying to GAIN weight. I felt that the only way I could start feeling like myself again would be to do something for me and me only. I got my nails done (which was a first for me, haha) and dyed and cut my hair a little. I needed to make some changes so I could feel good about myself.
I already had my belly button pierced, and 4 piercings in each lobe (the lower 2 were 14g CBRs, then 16g and 18g respectively). I had wanted cartilage piercings for so long but was terrified. I really badly wanted my nose pierced but my mom will kick me out of the house if I do that... so that was my decision. A simple cartilage piercing. Anything "gunned" was unacceptable to me, so off to Top Shelf I went. (Top Shelf was previously called Memphis Tattoos.) I brought my friend Jean and her boyfriend, Mike.
I was so nervous that I might have been shaking. I was afraid I would pass out since I haven't been eating that much. I had a light breakfast around 11 and it was now around 3pm. I decided to get TWO cartilage piercings, so I paid the $80 and sat down in the chair. The girl (forgot her name) took out the prepackaged needles and jewelry, and changed her gloves multiple times. I told her that if I pass out, she should do the other piercing before reviving me. She laughed and said it was probably against the law. She made me feel VERY comfortable.
She made the marks and had me look at them. I wanted the second one to be lower, but she said if I went any lower, I might as well skip over the cartilage and make it a high lobe piercing. When I asked what she recommended, she said the cartilage would be a better idea. I trusted her judgement and sat down.
She used the "surprise" method which I loved. She lined up the 16g needle and then pushed it through. I said to her, "Wow, you were right, that didn't even hurt!' About 10 seconds later, she did the second hole. Again, I felt no pain except a stinging sensation when she left the needle in. Once she got the jewelry in, it felt fine. Unfortunately, I began to feel lightheaded.
"I'm kinda lightheaded," I said.
"Are you okay?"
"Very lightheaded actually."
"Are you going to pass out?"
"Uh huh." I was out. When I woke up, Mike (who is in the military and trained for situations like this) was holding my hand and asking if I could see him and hear him. He told me to smell something, which was alcohol, I think. I thought I was dreaming, so I was afraid I hadn't gotten the piercings at all. I was very confused and didn't know where I was. It felt like my ears were clogged... I couldn't hear anything.
"You passed out," the piercer said.
"I know."
"Can you open your eyes? Would you like some water?"
I was covered in sweat and felt about 1000 degrees. "No, no water... are they hot?" I asked. My friend felt my hands and told me that they were not hot. I was like, "No... I mean the piercings. I got them right? I am at the tattoo shop right?"
It was pretty damn funny, but I almost passed out again. I wish I had eaten before! The woman was soooo sweet. She was on her phone talking to her mom when I left. I tipped her and thanked her for reviving me. THE PIERCINGS ARE GORGEOUS! I can't even feel them! My lobes hurt more, no joke. They look beautiful and I can't believe that they are not swollen. They are sort of stuck in the cartilage and move very little, but I am very happy. I feel like I've had these piercings forever. Next time I go, I'll eat beforehand.
Top Shelf was an amazing place. I wish I knew the girl's name, but she made me feel SO comfortable and I was very appreciative for all of her help. I can't believe I passed out, but it was pretty funny after all. I can't believe I thought that would hurt! I really mean it when I say my lobes hurt more. The thing about piercings is this... you have to expect it. A needle is going to go through wherever, and you have to be ready for that feeling. I felt it go through, but it really didn't hurt. Neither one hurt, and they are both on the same ear. If you are thinking about doing this, seriously GO FOR IT!!! And if you really want to know, the gun hurt 10000000 times more than the needle. Piercing needles are painless because they are super sharp and hollow.
If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to email me:
livesoundtech at gmail dot com
=D Pierce safely and please resist the urge to self pierce. The pain from self piercing is a million times worse. Save the money and do it right... you will NOT regret it. Happy piercing!