Piercing hit me like the plague. Never before had I shown a real interest in body modification: I had my lobes pierced, but it was really when I got my navel piercing that I was hooked. Counting my lobes as two separate piercings, it was after ten professional piercings that I decided I wanted a double helix. It was not the first time I'd had a helix piercing, I had in fact had one several years earlier that I had to remove due to infection. I decided this time round that I would opt for a hollow needle as opposed to the gun - I'd heard stories about issues with autoclaving instruments and with sterilising the gun before and after use, not to mention the fact that I'd also heard it had the potential to shatter your cartilage.
At A Glance Author Lou When N/A Artist Kev Studio Ambiance Location Stafford I was originally intended as moral support for a friend, who had decided she wanted a tragus piercing after I'd had the same six months earlier. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist temptation and after a week of excitement and eager anticipation, the big day had arrived and we were at the studio. I must say, of all the studios I have visited previously, I have always felt at total ease, but didn't as I was led into the room where the actual piercings would be taking place. Still, as my friend hopped up onto the bed, and we breathed in the strong scent of disinfectant and each other's fear, I began to reassure myself. I'd had a serious bout of nerves prior to our appointment and could barely bring myself to eat. She asked me to hold her hand, and to turn the camera off. He unwrapped his needles, and my excitement grew as I remembered feeling the way she was feeling during my tragus piercing. She gleamed at me, and exclaimed, "That was nothing! I thought it would hurt a lot more than it did." Finally, it was my turn.
I was asked to sign the appropriate paper work. As I sat down, I knew I couldn't back out and this seemed to calm me. This is it, I told myself, and I braced myself as more sterile equipment was opened and cleaned for extra assurance. I felt a sharp blast of anaesthetic against my ear. I'd asked all the questions I'd needed to ask, and we'd been given advice, alongside a little friendly banter. My jewellery was carefully selected - two plain silver CBRs. His concentration as he marked my ear was comforting, and it wasn't long before he had finished swabbing. Before I knew it, he was forcing the needle through. Pain tore mercilessly throughout my body and my fists clenched as my entire body became tense. Whether it was meant to hurt that much or not, I can't be sure, I know I'd never felt pain like it with any of my other piercings, and certainly hadn't when I first had my helix pierced as a child with a gun. The pain seemed to last for minutes. "That must be the first ring in," I thought aloud.
"No, those are the two needles through." I hadn't even been warned that he'd be doing them at the same time. "The worst is over though, right?" "I like to get the nasty business out of the way in one foul swoop," I was told. Incorrect. More pain followed as he fed the ring through my fresh wound. As the first ball was connected, I felt marginally relieved that it would soon be over, but knew I had yet to endure the second ring being inserted.
I must add, before continuing that while I don't think a helix piercing should hurt this much, it should be taken into consideration that I was being pierced with two snug-fit rings, that seemed to be a larger gauge than the needle I was actually being pierced with. The manipulation of my ear caused quite a deal of pain. Remembering also that I wasn't feeling just the pain of one piercing, but two, with just seconds separating them.
As the second ring was fed through, the throbbing began. I could feel my pulse beating through my ear. As with any piercing, the pain always feels worse at the time, yet afterwards, I was still shocked at how I'd not expected it to hurt that much ... but it wasn't "that bad". I couldn't speak, my voice was shaking, my hands were shaking, my eyes were watering and I was doing my best to keep myself from crying. "That didn't hurt, that didn't hurt, that didn't hurt," I kept telling myself to gather some composure. My moral support had taken a seat in the next room because she was feeling faint, so I was alone. With a deep breath, I relaxed. He continued to fit the ball. He dropped it, and I was pleased to see him choose another ball. With regards to hygiene, I have no complaints. It was done. At last. I felt the blood; I've never yet had one bleed as much as this, which leads me to think something about my whole experience was "not quite right". With a generally high pain tolerance for piercings, this truly did put the fear of God in me and after reading other BME experiences, I do not think mine is representative of the majority of double helix piercings. I was given no after care leaflet of any kind but was told to clean it with salt water.
I am very pleased with the final result. I am still unable to sleep on that side, but there is no real after pain other than when anything comes into contact with my ear. I am bathing it each evening. It is not something I would ever wish to experience again, which is why I'm all the more glad that the pain is out of the way and that I have two lovely new piercings that I can show off. The pain was worth it, but not again.