I got both of my traguses (tragii?) pierced in March of 1994. I saw this piercing in a tattoo magazine, and instantly fell in love with it. I told my husband about it, and showed him the picture, and he said it would look cute.
At A Glance Author snakelady1956 Contact snakelady1956@bme.anon IAM snakelady1956 When Ten years ago or more Artist Tom Studio Virtual Reality Tattoo and Piercing Location Mesa,AZ We were going to Chandler, AZ that day for the Ostrich Festival, so on the way there I saw Virtual Reality Tattoo and Body Piercing, and asked my husband if we could stop in to get the piercings done. He was okay with that, so we went into the shop.
We were greeted by Tom, the piercer, and he asked what we wanted. I told him I wanted the tragus on my right ear pierced. He checked it, and said that I had a nice, big tragus, and it would not be a problem at all. I filled out the paperwork, gave Tom my driver's license to photocopy. Tom then told me to select my jewelry. I chose a 14 gauge CBR with a black bead.
Tom then told me that he would pierce my left tragus as well for only ten dollars more. I thought about that for a moment, then agreed. I chose the same CBR, only this time with a white bead.
Tom told us to have a seat in the waiting area while he put the jewelry in the autoclave. We walked around the shop, looking at the tattoo flash on the walls, and at the other piercing jewelry.
Fifteen or twenty minutes later, Tom asked if I was ready. I said yes, and followed him into the piercing room. The room was immaculate,as was the rest of the shop. There was a dentist-style chair as well as a doctor's table in the room. Tom asked which I would prefer. I told him that I preferred to sit in the chair.
Tom went to the sink,washed his hands, and put on a pair of gloves. He cleaned both tragii, and marked them with a blue Sharpie, then asked me to check the placement in the mirror. They were perfect, so Tom told me to take a seat in the chair. Tom put on another pair of gloves, and opened the sterile packages, which contained the needles, clamp, and my jewelry.
Tom then washed his hands again, and put on new gloves. He asked me which one to do first, and I told him the right one, and put the black bead on that side. He told me to breathe in through my nose, exhale through my mouth, and just relax. He put the clamp on, asked me if I was okay. I just nodded. He told me to inhale, and that he would pierce on the exhale.
I inhaled, then exhaled, then felt a hard pinch then pressure. Not too bad, I handled it fine. He then said he was going to put in the ring, which actually hurt. He moved the ring around to put on the bead, and closed the ring. Pain and pressure was all gone.
Tom cleaned my tragus, and the same was done for the left one. This one was easier than the right. When everything was done, Tom asked if I was okay. I said that I was fine. Tom told me to slowly get up from the chair. I did, and didn't feel dizzy or lightheaded. I went to the mirror to check them out, and they were beautiful!!
Tom went over the aftercare with me as he was cleaning up. I was to do sea salt soaks twice a day, and clean the crusties off with antibacterial soap, turning the rings as I did so. I followed the aftercare faithfully, and never had a problem with them.
I thanked and tipped Tom, and went out front to pay. Both tragii pierced, and jewelry only cost me $45.00, which I thought was a super deal. Tom gave me an aftercare sheet and sea salt, and told me to call or come in if I had any problems. My husband and I then went to the Ostrich Festival, and my tragii didn't bother me at all.
Thirteen years later, my tragus piercings are still happily with me, and I wear various 14 gauge jewelry in them. I would recommend this piercing if you have tragii that are large and thick enough. They are very cute.
I also recommend Virtual Reality Tattoo & Piercing if you live in the Mesa, AZ area. The shop is very clean, and the staff are friendly and helpful. I don't know if Tom is still there or not as it has been 13 years since this was done, and I no longer live in this part( called the East Valley),so I haven't been back to this shop. They are still in the phone book, though.
Happy piercings, everyone!! Peace!!