Originally I was never too interested in getting my tragus pierced at all, but after some friends were talking about getting it done, I found myself contemplating the idea myself. After a little while I looked it up on this website, and came across the vertical tragus piercing photos. I decided I liked this a lot better than the ordinary tragus piercing, as I liked being able to see both of the barbell balls. Now I was definitely wanting this for myself, however I kept putting it off, as I wasn't sure how my mum would react.
At A Glance Author Natasha Contact Natasha@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Daryl Studio Retro Rebels Location Aberdeen, UK However at the beginning of February I was having difficulties with my navel piercing and needed to go and see my piercer about it. As we were waiting I casually asked my mum what she would think about me getting the tragus piercing. I think the long battle over my belly button piercing had worn her down on the body modification front as she just replied wearily that anything other than my eyebrow or nose was ok. Then jokingly added it would be nipple piercings next!
So while I was getting my belly button sorted I asked Daryl, one of the piercers at Retro Rebels whether they also did vertical tragus piercing there. I was pleased to find out that indeed they did.
As I was just approaching the end of a set of exams at school, I decided I would go back to the studio after my last exam, as a sort of celebration. This also had the benefit of it being a Wednesday afternoon, therefore it was a little quieter than had I gone at the weekend. Coincidentally it was also Valentine's Day so it also served the purpose of cheering me up about spending the day alone.
Usually I don't take anyone with me when I go to get pierced, which Daryl asked about, but I'm quite happy on my own, and there is the likelihood if I took any of my friends that they would try to talk me out of it!
So I got into the studio and asked for the piercing. Although I wasn't asked for ID (You have to be 16 to get a piercing without a guardian present) I noticed the assistant looking rather longingly at my provisional driving licence, so I asked if she wanted to see it and she agreed that she better...
As the shop/studio was quite empty she just chatted with me about the piercing, how I found out about it, if anyone at my school had one etc. I love the staff at Retro Rebels as they are so friendly and helpful.
Pretty quickly it was my turn to get pierced so down I went to the piercing studio. You can tell Retro Rebels is a hygienic place to get pierced, as although the piercing area is down in the basement area, you can smell the disinfectant from the front door up on street level!
After filling out the usual form, and a bit of chit chat, it was time.
I sat on the recliner and Daryl marked my tragus where the needle would go in and out. He had to sit on the recliner and lean against me to get into the best possible position to pierce me, and then it was time for the needle.
As usual he told me to breathe in and out slowly and concentrate on that, but instead I found myself focusing on the drawers mounted on the opposite wall. It didn't hurt too much; there was just an intense pressure. I don't remember thinking "please let this be over" like I did with my navel piercing. And that was it. I was given some aftercare instructions(I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't really listen properly) which were similar to my navel piercing. Salt water, as hot as you can stand it, cotton buds etc. This is their advice for most piercing, and he mentioned something about keloid scarring, which I should have paid more attention to, but I had some advice about that at home...Naturally I would say that listening is pretty vital, especially if you are new to piercing!
I paid my £25 then I was off home. I stopped off at the supermarket and then the library. While I was being served I stood, hoping there wasn't blood trickling down from my ear, but when I got home I could see that it was a nice clean piercing.
It was also very discreet, which is good or bad depending on how noticeable you want it. It took my sister about an hour to notice it, then when dad came in she asked "notice anything different about Natasha?" and he just said "yes.".
Two days later and my family and I were out for a meal when my sister asked me about how I cleaned it, gesturing at my ear. Mum looked slightly baffled and asked what she was talking about. When she was told she just asked my dad if he had noticed, to which the answer was an oblivious "no". I suppose when he "noticed a difference" the other day, he was either half asleep or just trying to be polite.
So that is how discreet the piercing is (it also had to be pointed out to my current boyfriend). However one of my friends who I hadn't seen for awhile (months) noticed it instantly which was strange, but definitely not unwelcome.
As to how it healed, I couldn't be more pleased with it. To be honest I can't really remember how long I needed to clean it for, maybe 5 weeks? But after a bit of bleeding during the first week there were no problems or even the usual pus, I guess this is from it being a cartilage piercing. It was tender for a little while, but nothing too bad, though I couldn't itch my ear for a couple of days, or wear earphones for a little while.
Something else I have to watch though, is that it tends to move a little, and sometimes it moves so far back I can't see it any more. I've read that vertical tragus piercings are likely to migrate and come out, but if I have it for over a year, then I'm happy enough!