Ever since I was about 7, I have always had a growing interest in body piercing. At the age of 8 I got my first piercing, which was gunned lobes. Over the next few years I got another pair of lobes, and a navel piercing. Over the last year I have gotten another 5 holes in my ear, and a nostril piercing. This story is about my latest and favorite, my helix piercing.
At A Glance Author lozzi Contact lozzi@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Kate Studio Holier Than Thou Location Manchester, UK I originally wanted to have my helix pierced for Christmas, as my boyfriend offered to pay for it as a present to me. As I was actually going on holiday two days after Christmas, I realized that the sea water would probably have been good for it, yet salt and relaxed hygiene probably have not been a good start to my little hole's life.
It was set that the first weekend after new year I was going to make the journey into Manchester and get it done. I was absolutely set on going to Holier Than Thou, as I had read some stunning reviews on here about them. I set off into Manchester, and walked down Oldham Street to where Holier Than Thou is. The first time I found the shop was right before lunch, so I went with my boyfriend to grab a bite to eat before we went back, as I didn't want to become faint. We grabbed a bite to eat, and walked back to the studio where I would be getting poked.
By this time, I was really stoked, and couldn't wait to have my ear pierced. The studio was bright and looked amazingly clean. I went to the counter, and spoke to the woman on the counter, who turned out to be my piercer Kate. She was really friendly, and answered my every question about it. She talked me through prices, jewelery, aftercare, everything I could think of. I was really pleased to hear that I could be pierced with a ring, and how reasonably it was priced. It was by far the best deal I think I have ever gotten, since I had a wonderful experience and the studio had not skimped on anything, since it was amazingly clean. I found myself so at ease with them there, I would never consider going anywhere else to get pierced. I signed the most detailed consent form I have ever filled out, and Kate along with another artist who had emerged from the back ran through my every concern, seeing that I have an allergy to latex gloves, and Athsma. I was then taken into the back to the piercing room.
Whilst I took my coat and jumper off so I didn't overheat, Kate set to scrubbing down the bench, and cleaned all the surfaces. She let me watch her prepare all the equipment, take the jewelery out of a sealed secure packet, and lay out the needles along with tissues in case I turned out to be a bleeder. I jumped up onto the bench, where she then marked me with purple ink. I checked the placement in the long mirror on the wall, and discovered it was an absolutely perfect placement. I returned to the bench. She then said "Don't worry, I'll not do anything without warming you." And then quickly pushed the needle through my ear. This was definitely the best way to do this, as I think I would have panicked a lot more if I had expected the needle. It went through so easily, I was very impressed. I didn't notice if it popped as it went through, I was a little bit shocked from the sudden pinch of the needle. In only another 2 seconds, she had the needle out and the ring in, and I was off and away across the road to grab myself a sugary snack.
Since then it has been the easiest piercing I think I have ever had. It was quite uncomfortable for the first day, but it then quickly stopped hurting, and after only a week it was ok to sleep on. I soaked it in salty water or Savlon wound wash twice a day since I got it done, and it has been healing really well. I have a tiny lump on the back, but it is bound to go away soon. It is by far my favorite piercing ever! I would totally recommend going to Holier Than Thou, it is the best studio I have to been to anywhere in Manchester.
As for the future, I plan to go on and get some more ear work done, possibly tomorrow I might be having a helix spiral or an industrial. I'm sure though, that with every hole I will be another step closer to feeling like I am on the outside who I am on the inside.