I was never the person who wanted to get pierced. I was always the one like, "No needles, please." I hate the sight of needles, and just thinking about them gives me chills. But, when a friend of mine got her tongue pierced, I decided that I had to get one, too. I had watched her get it done and it was awesome. One problem. I was only 16, and my parents flipped out when I brought it up. It pissed me off, but I wasn't going to do it behind their back and start some damn bulls*it with them. No big deal. I figure that I can wait. (which is actually a good idea. Anyone who wants to
At A Glance Author Rob Contact Rob@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist some lady Studio White Tiger Tattoos Location Akron, Ohio get tatted or pierced, I recommend thinking it through. Spur of the moment decisions leave people with big-ass gorilla tattoos on their asses. No offense to anyone who may have a gorilla tatted on their ass. anyway...)
Skip ahead two years. It's the day of my 18th birthday, and I can't wait to give myself my present. I had done a lot of research about piercings, from different types of jewelry to different types of infections. I had also spent a lot of time on the BME website, reading other people's experiences. (Great reference site, by the way.)
So, I head over to my friend's house, and tell her to come and watch me get pierced. (It was only fair, right?) We walk about a block or so up to the same place that she got hers done at, because I had been talking to the people there since she got pierced, and they were cool.
We walk in, and I tell them what I want to have done. The lady (sorry, I can't remember her name) gives me the forms to sign, and also brings me a small cup of mouthwash. I begin to get really excited filling the forms out, knowing that I'm finally going to get this done. I hand her back the forms, and she says to go into the bathroom and rinse my mouth with half the cup of mouthwash for one minute. I do, and then she directs us to the back room and tells me to jump up on the table.
I told her that it was my first piercing, and she tried to make sure that I was calm. Finally, it was time to do it. She starts opening up packages, explaining how everything is going to go. Then, she tells me to open my mouth up. She marks my tongue, and after I approve the positioning, she tells me to stick my tongue out and hold it there. She clamps it, and holds the needle about two inches under my tongue. She tells me to take three breaths and hold the last one. Then, as I'm holding, she pushes the needle through. It hurt a little, like a pinch or something.
I'm looking in front of me, waiting to see the needle push through the top of my tongue. Then, she goes, "Don't move, I lost the needle." I'm thinking, "Is this b*tch serious?" I thought she had f*cked me up permanently or something. Finally, she pushes it through all the way, screws the top ball on, and tells me to rinse with the other half of the cup. I go in the bathroom, and admire my $45 worth. It was sweet! I tell her thanks, and leave. Forgot to tip, though. It happens.
I went home and showed my parents, and they were disgusted, so it was worth it. What's the point of being young if you can't screw with your folks? I actually would recommend body mods to someone who wanted one for this reason alone. Also, there's nothing like showing off your new piercing to people at work and school. Plus, if you're lucky, you can gross out old people.
So here I am, someone who never wanted to get their body modified, and two years later, I have my tongue pierced and a two month old labret. I'm also thinking of getting my eyebrow done, as well as a tattoo. (maybe a gorilla...
All in all, body modification rocks. But, here's a checklist for everyone thinking of getting something done to make sure that if they get something, it's done right.
1. Think it through.
2. Know what you want.
3. Go to different shops, and talk to the people there beforehand. It helps a ton when you're comfortable with the environment.
4. Make sure that the place you go is sterile, and avoid places offering really cheap work. Remember that you're going to get what you pay for.
5. Don't forget to tip! Believe it or not, they WILL remember you as the one who didn't tip.