A bit of background:
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Studio White Orchid Location Melton Mowbray, UK I'm 16 and my current piercings are a forward helix, a nostril and a pair of lobes. I did have a tragus piercing, but took it out as it was pierced much too shallow.
I would just like to point out that in England, it is legal for me to be pierced at this age without a parent present and my mum does let me (within reason). Her theory is 'It's your body, you can do what you want to it. Just don't come crying to me if it goes wrong'. Seems like a pretty good theory to me.
But on with the story of my anti-tragus:
It had been a couple of months since I had had my forward helix pierced and as it was doing perfectly fine, I decided to get something else done. I knew it would have to be an ear piercing, due to my school not allowing facial piercings (I somehow manage to get away with my nostril). However I was unsure of what to get. I considered getting my tragus pierced again but I wanted something a little bit different- quite a few people I know have tragus piercings. I toyed with the idea of a rook, a snug and a conch piercing but I was still unsure. And then the idea of an anti-tragus popped into my head. I didn't know anyone with one of those...
I researched it, and though most people said it was very painful, I was soon dead-set on getting it. I think they look so cute with a barbell.
I planned to go to a piercing studio in Leicester with a friend, but I ended up alone in Melton Mowbray, waiting for a train that was never going to turn up due to a breakdown (typical). I weighed up my options: I could wait a few more weeks until I got the chance to go into Leicester again, or I could go to a different reputable piercer in Melton Mowbray. It didn't take me long to decide on the latter.
I went for my usual preparation-a large mocha with cream and a blueberry muffin- to boost my sugar levels and off I went to White Orchid. I'd never been before but I had heard good things about it from friends. So in I went. I told the guy at the desk what I wanted. At first I didn't realise that he was the piercer- he seemed ever so young. We discussed what sort of angle I wanted it pierced at. I wanted to pierced the way you see most, so you can see the ball on the inside as well. He also offered me the option of which bar I wanted, a 16g or 14g. I opted for 16g as I prefer smaller gauge jewellery on my ears.
I signed the form, paid the £25 and he led me into the back. I sat down and watched him prepare. I always find it reassuring when you can see a piercer put on the gloves and unpack the needle. He marked out a placement and it was fine.
A simple 'are you ready?' and then a lot of pressure and a crunch (no pop noise though). I thought it was over, but it wasn't. He seemed to have a lot of trouble getting the needle all the way through the cartilage. It was very painful and uncomfortable. I've put this down to the fact that he was doing it freehand and that he was quite young (therefore not the most experienced) and probably didn't want to use too much of a force.
He finally got it through and all I could think was 'This is the most painful yet'. And it was. However, I often find the worst bit is when the jewellery is put in, but I barely noticed it this time. Perhaps because it hurt so much already...
He screwed the balls on and let me take a look. It was perfect.
We went through aftercare (sea salt soaks twice a day, don't turn it, don't touch it with dirty hands etc) and he sent me on my way. I couldn't stop smiling.
It's a few hours later and I keep having to go look at it in the mirror. It's still throbbing a bit and has also swollen a tad. I've taken some ibuprofen to help the with swelling and pain and am about to prepare a sea salt soak. I'm a bit unsure on the length of the bar, I'm afraid it might be too short. If it swells anymore overnight, I'll need to go and get it changed to a longer one.
Sleeping tonight should be okay. With my forward helix, it only took me a couple of nights to get used to sleeping on my other side.
Overall, I am incredibly pleased with my anti-tragus. And it's worth the pain =)