Ok well to start with I am a 23 years old and not the typical person you would expect to have any piercings.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A week ago Artist The American women at Studio The Piercing Shop Location Brisbane, QLD I am a lawyer and look generally very prim and proper. This is an image that I want to change lol. So on a whim I got a helix piercing. I have always fancied another ear piercing but I have always been scared of the pain. I was 10 years old when I got my ear lobes done and it hurt like hell. Even 13 years later the pain and torment of piercing my lobes remains.
This story is about two helix piercings I had, one at "Off ya Tree" and one at "The Piercing Shop". The one I had done at "Off ya Tree" I had to retire the other day due to complications. Now as a pre script to my story I want to say that if you want a piercing done in an alternative hippy shop then Off ya tree is fine. If you want a well done piercing that doesnt cause complications - go to the Piercing Shop.
Anyway about 3 weeks ago I decided I wanted my helix pierced. My navel piercing was starting to migrate and I needed something new to replace it with. Anyway I went to Off ya Tree in the Queen Street Mall to get it done. As is stated in most stories I was marked up and stabbed. The piercing itself did not hurt at all. Anyone who says that helix piercings do is crazy. My lobes done at 10 hurt a hell of a lot more than my helix. Now it was love at first sight with my helix piercing.
The piercer did a fine job as far as the actual piercing went, but his aftercare knowledge etc left much to be desired. Now as far as hygiene goes and personality I cant complain. However I cant say good things about this piercing shop because this is the second time I have had a piercing there and both times the piercing has failed spectacularly. Now I must say that the piercer seems to be reasonably proficient but the other staff there have no idea.
I followed all aftercare instructions and did not touch or meddle with my piercing whatsoever. I was extra careful with this piercing due to the fact my navel had had complications twice.
Anyway 2 1/2 weeks after I got my Helix pierced my ear was the size of an elephants ear. I dont know what occured but the piercing just was not happy. It was hot and red and very very sore. I had never experienced swelling or pain like this with any of my piercings.
On a whim I decided to get the other ear's helix pierced and went to the Piercing Shop. The lady told me to take it out immediately as it was beyond repair,and to ice it. She told me if the swelling didnt go down to see a dr ASAP. She told me that if the swelling didnt go down I was in for major problems. Now I did not relaise before this that something as simple as a helix piercing could cause so much grief.
Anyway she did a beautiful job on my other ear's helix and a few days later it is still fine (fingers crossed). This side hurt slightly more than the other, and the jewellry I chose was harder to get in my ear. I still found the Piercing Shop to be very professional and amazing in their customer service. The piercer informed me to use ear care twice a day, their special piercing wash in the shower and ice for at least 10 - 20 minutes each day for 2 - 4 weeks.
Anyway I am going to go back to the Piercing Shop for all my piercings. The lady there is fantastic - and really makes you realise the importance of ice and keeping swelling to a minimum.
I went back today for a checkup at the piercing shop to see how my piercing was going and they informed me that it looked good to them. I am going to keep up the aftercare very carefully and I hope that I learnt my lesson. Never go to "Off ya tree". Even my boyfriend (who hates piercings) loves my cute little helix piercing on my right ear.
Before I finish this story, for anyone who does want any form of ear piercing be very careful not to sleep on it. This is the biggest cause of ear piercings gone bad! I would also not advise to self pierce - kids who do are crazy. My experiences have taught me how complicated piercings can really be and how they really should be left to professionals.