I have been wanting to get this type of piercing done ever since I saw it posted here on BMEzine. It looked so unique, like no other ear piercing I have ever seen. I have a Monroe and a nostril ring and don't want to add too much more to my face at this time. I find that this type of piercing has a lot of character and was instantly drawn to it.
At A Glance Author The Phoenix Contact The Phoenix@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Alfredo Studio Absolute Tattoo (Wurzbach Location) Location San Antonio Texas My husband was currently getting a tattoo that was going to last around 4 hours so I figured that now was the time since at 25.00 I couldn't go wrong as long as I got a piercer with some experience. It was convenient that I could just walk in a say hey I would like this weird obscure piercing and get it done on the spot. The staff was very friendly and the artist working on my husband was doing a stellar job.
After browsing the tattoo art (typical unicorns, tribal, naked girls and low riders) and getting a quote on some future ink I inquired about the UFO. Luckily I got the owner. He indicated that he had never heard of one so I had him pull up the web site and take a look at what I was talking about and wanting. He at first thought I was referring to a traditional orbital but once he saw the UFO he was intrigued.
He of course had never done one before but was willing to learn. He was quite sure he could do it, however he was a bit hesitant since he thought the anatomy of my ear would require a huge ring. I did indicate I had no desire to look like Jack Sparrow. I returned home for an hour or so and then decided to go back and do it (My husband was still getting inked so I had time to think about it). I came back and told Alfredo (the owner), let's do this!
He took me back and had me have a seat and marked my ear. He took several rings out and after measuring the width between the two potential piercings decided we could accommodate a smaller, more suitable looking ring; I was very relieved. He used a type of surgical lubricant that kept the bleeding at bay. Everything looked to be very sterile. He used gloves and everything was kept on a lined tray and in the packages until ready to be used.
The first need went through and I didn't feel the crunch that most people describe when they get a cartilage piercing. It did hurt quite a bit but there was more pressure than anything. I squinted but was fine. Well being the busy parlor it was there was a lot of business and some girl who was asking about rings for her bloody belly ring kept coming in and asking questions. Mid piercing he had to help her and I was sitting there with a needle in my ear thinking wow I really wish we could just finish this up. So he comes back and I tell him the next time she needs help that #@%# is going to have to wait! I wasn't trying to be mean but we were a little in the middle of something. So he moved on the rook and pierces it and still no crunch. Just that pressure again. He placed the jewelry in and then clamped the ball into place. It hardly bled at all. My head did swim a bit but no tears and nothing I couldn't handle. He told me what a tough girl I was. Indeed. Great job Alfredo!
The healing is really a pain, in my case at least. All the aftercare was included in the price as well which was nice but it is still quite swollen a week out and quite red in spite of my antibacterial soap washing and sea salt soaks, not to mention taking advil as well. It is not the easiest thing to clean by any stretch of the imagination. It never seemed hard to clean those nooks and crannies of my ear until they were inflamed and painful! I have pulled out chunks of blood and lymph while cleaning them but so far haven't seen any signs of pus but the redness does concern me, although that could also be due to the stress on my anatomy.
I really love this piercing and would do it again. The healing is always the hard part and I have to keep that in mind though I must admit that this has been the most painful piercing in terms of healing to date. It looks amazing though and Alfredo was all around a pleasure to work with. Most piercers are more concerned about selling you aftercare than telling you what you should and shouldn't use and I appreciate his professionalism in this aspect.
If anyone has any questions or suggestions on the healing process feel free to drop me a line that what we are here for.