I decided about two years ago that I was going to get my tragus and tongue web pierced as soon as I turned 18. I saw them on this site and instantly fell in love, waiting that long seemed horrible but my parents are not into the whole body mod thing and wouldn't even let me get my earlobes done so I know there was no way that my dream piercings were going to happen for a while. So for two years I have been on BME looking at pictures and reading stories of how other people's piercings went, and generally just psyching myself up for the day when I could finally go get a needle shoved through my ear. Well about two weeks ago that day finally came. I couldn't go on my birthday because I was going to a show that night and I didn't want to put my body through too much trauma in one day, so I settled for the Tuesday after.
At A Glance Author anonymous When A week ago Artist i don't remember Studio Tribal Rites Location Boulder, CO That day during school I decided to call and see where I could get it done. My first choice was only open on Saturdays, so I called around and ended up deciding on Tribal Rites on the hill in Boulder. I asked to make an appointment but apparently they don't take appointments for piercings, I felt a little dumb for asking after that, but it went away because I was just too excited. Finally my dream piercings would become a reality! After school I gathered two of my friends for moral support, and we headed on our way. They thought that the places I was getting pierced were kind of weird put came along anyways, it was somewhere to go. On the car ride down there I started to get nervous, but I was already on my way so no backing out now!!
As soon as I walked in to the shop I was glad that was where I was going to get pierced. The vibe was really chill and the people seemed friendly, but not overly social which was fine with me because by this time I was getting to nervous to talk. I told the piercer what I wanted done and gave her my i.d. and signed form, then she showed me my jewelry options. After I had picked what I wanted she said she was going to put them in the sterilizing cabinet (like in science class I don't know what they are actually called), and told me to wait. I t seemed like the longest wait ever but in reality was probably only 10 minutes. My friends helped to lessen my nerves but they were still going crazy. Finally it was my turn and my piercer called me back.
Everything looked really clean, all the items were laid out and still in packaging and everything. Once I had a seat she put on gloves and marked my ear. The placement was perfect and so she unwrapped a needle and put some goop on it. (I asked her about it and she said it was for lubrication?) She told me to lie back and positioned my head so she could get at my ear easier. I was nervous and stiff as a board. From other stories I had read I was expecting a lot of pressure or a horrible crackling noise or something, but to my relief their was almost no pain, and no noise. One deep breath and the needle was through, another deep breath and the jewelry was in. She screwed on the ball in almost no time at all and I hardly felt it. It bled for a while but I bleed a lot anyway so that was to be expected. Once I stopped bleeding I looked in the mirror and fell in love! My ear was so much prettier than it ever had been. I loved it and my friends loved it, it was just perfect!
I laid back down and she did the same process for my tongue web. Same thing almost no pain, a little bit more trouble with the ball, but that was it. I think the entire thing took maybe 15 minutes. She quickly went over how to clean them and told me what I would need to do so. I went to the counter to pay, and the girl who rang me up went over the cleaning again and gave me an aftercare pamphlet. I paid for my holes and left. It ended up being 60$ which isn't bad at all for two piercings, cleaning solution and tip. Afterwards I bought some mild soap for my ear and mouthwash for my tongue and headed off to work.
My ear hardly hurt at all, the only discomfort I had was cleaning it the first couple days and when I would accidentally hit it with my hairbrush or in the shower or something. I followed the aftercare instructions religosly for the first week but it started drying out, so i cut back to saline once a day and it hase been doing just fine. I could sleep on it after less than a week and my ear buds, much to my surprise, still stay in my ears even when I am running. It has been barely two weeks and I can't even feel it anymore. I would forget it was there, except every time I look in a mirror I see my beautiful ear.
I am so happy with my piercing and would highly recommend it to anyone. It is not the most common place for jewelry but everyone I have shown it to has loved it. If you live in the boulder area I would definitely recommend it Tribal Rites. Maybe not the best if you are looking for more openly friendly, talkative artists, but it was perfect for me I wasn't there to make new friends I was there to get pierced. They were very professional and to the point. I wish I could remember my piercers name, she was great. I am so glad I got it done and it was a great way for me to break into the body mods scene. I love my first two piercings and I can't wait to get more!