I've wanted an industrial piercing since the first time I saw one. I was in sixth grade. I had my lobes tripled and three cartilage piercings but when I saw an industrial for the first time, I was hooked. My parents had already made it very clear that they I had more than enough piercings in their opinion so I never asked. ..that is until 11th grade.
At A Glance Author Lis Contact summer_shudder@yahoo.com When Six months ago Artist Stan Studio Cheap Trx Location Saint Louis My 17th birthday was just two days away and I had finally summoned up the courage to ask my parents. I started with my dad, my mom being out of town. He asked to see a picture and described it as "radical" upon seeing said picture. He, however, said it was ok with him and was now up to my mom.
Upon my mom's returning home, the day of my birthday, I asked her. "It's an ear piercing? Well all right. We'll go tomorrow when you get off work." I couldn't believe it. My work shift couldn't have gone more slowly.
My mother and I first visited Iron Age Studios. However, that was to no avail as I lacked an ID with my birth date on it. I recall a slight break down in front of the studio before remembering my friend's recommendation of Cheap Trx. We called and asked if a photo ID of the both of us was enough. They said it was and we were on our way.
Upon arriving at Cheap Trx, I need immediately it was the better option. We were greeted by amazingly friendly and personable workers and asked what it was I wanted done.
"An industrial!" I responded.
"Ooh is that the big bar through your ear? Why?" asked a customer.
That sent my mom into worry mode, wondering just how "radical" (as my dad would say) this piercing was. After all, she'd never even seen a picture.
Stan the Piercer emerged and measure my ear. Stan is awesome. He's funny, talented, and professional. Being turned away from Iron Age ended up being a blessing in disguise. The whole atmosphere at Cheap Trx was so much more inviting plus I got the best piercer ever. But I digress.
I didn't have the right shaped ear for the standard industrial so I opted for a longer than usual version. My mom watched with more than a little apprehension.
We were both brought with Stan to the back room where Stan thoroughly explained the aftercare procedure. I was laid down in the dentist-esque chair. That's when the adrenaline really started pumping. I asked questions out of nervousness. Stupid question such as what the most painful piercing was. Stan was incredibly friendly and I could tell he was genuinely concerned due to my now visible panic. Stan explained that he had pierced his daughter's industrial. This did calm me down; he was comfortable enough performing this piercing to do it on his own daughter.
Stan marked my ears then lined up the needle and pushed it through the bottom half of the industrial. The lack of pain was shocking.
"That didn't hurt at all!" I said.
That sentiment didn't remain in my mind long. The second (and top) part hurt much, much worse. I believe it was due to a drop in adrenaline and the thickness of my top ridge. In any case, it was by far the most pain I've felt due to a piercing. It took only a second or two but it felt much longer. It certainly wasn't unbearable though. I'm quite the sucker for pain.
"And we're done!" said Stan.
I inspected my piercing in the mirror. It was love at first sight. My mom wasn't as thrilled but she's grown used to it. One of the first thoughts in my mind upon seeing it was that it was my new favorite thing about my appearance. It still is, in fact.
I got the marking pen as a souvenir which I thought was pretty cute. Stan gave me the procedure papers, we paid, and we were on our way.
My mom and I went to dinner at a nearby restaurant. I experience little pain but some pretty intense swelling and redness. When I returned home, I took some ibuprofen and held an ice pack to my ear. This helped a lot. My dad and my brothers hated it but they, like my mom, managed to get over it.
I clean my piercing (piercings?) twice a day with a soapy q-tip and avoid touching or knocking it. The healing process was pretty basic and easy.
Now six months later, it's healed and still looking great. If you're considering getting an industrial, I say go for it! The pain is minimal and so worth it. I'm still getting compliments and the best result of all is the confidence boost that resulted from the piercing. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me. I'm no expert but I'm happy to help in anyway that I can!