I love piercings; I think they are a great form of self expression. I had my first lobes done when I was about six years old, and ever since I have been fascinated with them. At 16 I wanted to get my tongue done, but of course my mom would not let me... I also wanted a second set in my lobes, and mom told me she would let me do those, as long as I promised to never get another piercing. I laughed and said never mind then, I guess I will just wait!
At A Glance Author Princess Stay Contact Princess Stay@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Beaver Studio Bedlam Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Lawrenceburg In It was a good thing I laughed, because four years later I now have a total of eleven piercings... and love them all. My most recent is my industrial. I have had my eye on this particular piercing for a few years. I always shied away from it because my employers at the time frowned upon it and would not let me get it done. I recently switched jobs where they are more lax on ear piercings and have been talking myself up for the industrial.
I finally made my mind up a few days ago to go ahead and get it done. The plan was to get it at a local shop that just opened in my hometown... well the first time I went, they had closed early. So the next day I grabbed a friend for moral support and tried again. This time they were open, however I was told they did not have the time to the piercing, due to a tattoo appointment. Disappointed I left the shop; I desperately wanted my industrial and had finally fully talked myself into it...
Well my friend threw out the idea of going to another shop, owned by our friend's brother. He had owned a shop previously, where most of my other piercings had been done, and just re-opened a few months ago. Seeing as how I was itching to see familiar trusted faces again, I went for it and stopped in at Bedlam. What a great choice that was. Everyone is so friendly and easy going, which eases me and my worry of pain. (I really have no tolerance for pain and tend to psyche myself out)
After filling out the necessary paperwork, Beaver set everything up in front of me and went to work. After cleaning my ear, he marked it and had me check it in the mirror... of course it looked fine, I told him I trusted him and hopped back on the table. After getting myself situated, which involved me lying on my side, right hand grabbing my belt, left grabbing my shirt. He lined up, told me to take my deep breath... and the top hole was done. The pain was comparable to my cartilage I had done years before... nothing more than a pinch... the jewelry insertion was a little worse, and made me a little uncomfortable.
After letting me take a minute to breath and prepare myself, he lined up for the second hole. Now I was thinking the second would be just as easy, and was ready... deep breath in... and wow! The second one hurt considerably worse, but I was still able to handle it... by expressing "son of a ..."! Beaver just chuckled and said he was sorry... He worked the jewelry through the second hole, and again that was the worst part, put the balls on it, and I was done!
I was so pleased when I looked in the mirror! It was definitely worth the initial pain, which was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Beaver then went through the aftercare with me, and explained the benefits of emu oil to me... I paid and took sea salt and some of the emu oil with me... along with a business card, because this is definitely not going to be the last piercing for me from them.
Now I must say, honestly this has been the worst piercing for post piercing pain, but it has not been unbearable at anytime. The hardest part has been getting used to sleeping on only one side, and not bumping it throughout the day. (This is actually harder than one might think!) It has been three days since I got it done, and the swelling has diminished tremendously as well as the pain. Now the only part that is still swollen is right around the top hole, where it goes through the thickest part along the top of my ear. As far as the pain goes, its now only when I brush against it or am contorting it to clean it... so it has been a good experience yet again... and would recommend it to anyone... you just have to be ready for that second hole!