Its all my step-daughter's fault. My tattoos are all my own, but my tragus piercing came about as a way to keep her company when she got hers done, and the same with my helix. (You know what its like - you accompany someone who is getting a mod done and next thing you know you're thinking "I've got to get something too!")
At A Glance Author Gadgetgirl Contact Gadgetgirl@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Mike Studio The Piercing Doctor Location Auckland, New Zealand So a couple of months ago she got a 4mm dermal punch done through her inner conch. Initially I was sceptical as to why anyone would want a rivet put through their ear, but last week she came to stay for a few days and I could see how beautifully and quickly the punch had healed when compared with a needle piercing of the cartilage. And she has a habit of putting a ribbon through the hole and making it into a bow around her ear, which is pretty cute! So all of a sudden I found myself thinking about dermal punches and looking at gory and gruesome photos on BME. After a couple of days of intensive research I decided to take the plunge, but concluded that I would rather have a lobe punch done as it would be more visible. (NOTE: From what I've read, punches are not the best option if you intend on stretching the lobe later on, but I'm not interested in stretching - I just liked the idea of being able to see through my own ear!)
I decided to use the same guy that my step-daughter had, as she has had such a good result. So I phoned the self-styled "Doctor of Pierceology"(!) and asked if I could come in a couple of days for the procedure. He said he was really busy but that he would move a few other appointments around and fit me in. (I was surprised that he didn't just ask me to come back another time, but later he explained that dermal punches - and genital piercings - tend to get people quite nervous and psychologically stressed, so he feels that once someone has made the decision its important for their peace of mind not to make them wait.) So the appointment was made,and then I just had to be patient!
I was freaking out about the whole thing - all those photos on BME of people covered in blood, and surely it was going to hurt a lot? Finally the day arrived. My step-daughter came to hold my hand (not literally!), and we fuelled up on sugar both before and after. Dr Mike was very friendly and kind, even though he'd been flat out busy all day. First I filled out a form with my details and read the explanation of the sterilisation procedures. Then we had to decide on the gauge. Dr Mike said my lobes could easily take a 10mm punch, but I didn't want anything quite that major, so after holding a few sizes to my ear I settled on a 6mm (2 gauge). I explained that i was allergic to nickel and the like, and Dr Mike recommended a titanium tunnel, which made me happy as a tunnel was what I wanted.
Finally, it was time to lie down on the table. My step-daughter got a great photo of Dr Mike posing - this guy looks like a vampire with a black ponytail, wearing a suit and black rubber gloves! He disinfected my lobe and marked the placement (which he didn't stop to show me, but I figure he knows a lot more about it than I do!) And then, oh bliss! - an anaesthetic spray and a reassurance that it wouldn't hurt! Dr Mike then put a clamp on my ear to restrict the bloodflow, which did hurt a bit. Then there was a fast movement, and "You're done!"
I couldn't believe it and I still can't. I really didn't feel a thing - it was the most painless mod I've ever had! It did bleed quite a lot (just like those BME photos!), but Dr Mike kept it well under control and we chatted while we waited for it to stop. Then the tunnel went in and I sat for a few minutes as I felt slightly light-headed. The final step was a bottle of cleaning solution and a lollipop, and it was all over.
I thought my new hole would hurt like crazy once the anaesthetic wore off, but it really hasn't. It has been slightly tender when I've cleaned it, but the initial swelling went down after a day or so and it has only bled a tiny bit. I'm absolutely rapt and will be counting the days till it heals and I can put some different jewellery in. Compared to a needle piercing this whole experience has been a breeze! I highly recommend a dermal punch, IF a) you aren't going to want to stretch it much, and B) You don't mind that it may never close up fully if you remove the jewellery. I'm already thinking about where to get the next one...