Ever since my 18th birthday rolled around in mid July, I had been itching to get some sort of piercing all on my own (minus having to have my parents there to sign the form). I knew that a facial piercing wasn't the route to go; I'm in school to be a teacher and hold down a receptionist job, so my nose piercing was out of the question. This lead me to do some research on different ear piercings, because this way I can just wear my hair down if I need to conceal the piercing. Since I have my lobes and right helix pierced, I wanted something unique. After looking through tons of images on different placings, I fell in love with the tragus piercing. However, I have never been a big fan of the hoops used in many cartilage piercings. Further researching revealed that a labret stud could be used in place of the hoop, I was ecstatic!
At A Glance Author jen hyziak Contact jen hyziak@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist sherry Studio liberty tattoo Location skippack, pa Finally one chilly night after work in October my boyfriend and I drove down to a tattoo and piercing shop located in Skippack Village. I had never had anything done at this particular shop, but my younger sister's friend's mother is the piercer- so I was confident that I would be in good hands. Once we arrived I started letting my nerves get to me and the whole waiting time I was clutching onto my boyfriends hand, who has just laughing at me and telling me that I should stop considering a tattoo if this is scaring me. Finally I was done all the paper work was finished and my ID was copied, time for the piercing. Sherry brought me into the room and instructed me to take a seat on the table. She asked me about my little sister first, of course then went right into asking what I wanted. I told her that I would prefer to use a labret stud in place of a hoop; she agreed that they look better. She went and got a 16g with a clear gem, however we had decided to use a longer jewelry due to my tragus being thick. She cleaned up my ear and I balled my fist up, closed my eyes and got ready for the worst. The pain itself was very bearable and practically nonexistent; it only felt like pressure on that area of my head. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky individuals that got a crunching noise! That was awful, I am very squeamish and it turned my stomach. She said I got very pale as well. I was given a glass of water and a few minutes to relax. More than anything I was embarrassed and did not want my boyfriend to know about these details. I finally regained some color and was ready for the next part, and take out the needle. Then came time to put the jewelry in, apparently my ear is tiny too! So I was batting a thousand here, and she had to clamp my ear back a LOT. With my tragus pulled outwards more she was able to work the jewelry in smoothly and quickly. Still, it wasn't really hurting, just a pressure feeling. After that was all done she explained care and when I could change the jewelry. I was suggested not to use any sort of marketed ear piercing cleaning liquids, as these would be very harsh on the piercing. Instead, Sherry suggested mixing up some saline solution at home myself- sea salt and water. Then soaking a q-tip in the solution, rubbing both sides of the piercing site with the q-tip, and lastly moving the jewelry back and forth and spinning it (to allow the solution to get on the inside as well). After all that was taken care of, I paid (costed $50, paid $60) and I was off!
Once I got home I made sure I ate and relaxed the rest of the night, since I had gotten a little shakey. The after care was easy; I cleaned it twice a day- once when I woke up and once before bed. At first sleeping was a very annoying situation, I sleep on my right side as to face the wall. So, I had to switch the end of the bed I slept of for about a week. After a week I was able to sleep on my right side by finding a comfortable position for my head. I had to make sure to be extra careful when taking off tighter clothing, and for the first week turtlenecks were out of the question. It just took some extra consideration, nothing major. Two months after I got it already felt perfectly fine to touch and move. I was very excited and happy about the healing process, but it wasn't quite the suggested four months, so I continued normal care.
It's been over four months now, and I still love it. It's completely healed and has given me no problems what so ever. I've been compliments on it from a lot of people, when I wear my hair up of course haha. Overall, I am very pleased with the entire process and would not hesitate about going to Liberty Tattoo again. My advice- go for it! It's cute and with a labret stud, you can make it even more unique (currently using a black star).
Up next for me? Rook piercing.