My first ever piercing was my lobes, age 5. All that I remember of this experience was that I wouldn't let my mum clean the holes, as it stung too much (so I thought!). I didn't realise the importance of hygiene etc then. Anyway, because I would let my mum clean them, she made me take them out.
At A Glance Author Kelly When It just happened Artist Dan "Frodo" Hayes Studio Under The Skin Location Swaffham, Norfolk, UK Aged about 12, all my friends had gotten their ears pierced, however my mum wouldn't let me have them done because of what had happened the last time. Eventually I persuaded her that I would keep them clean this time, and on my 13th birthday she let me have my lobes done (with a gun...). I didn't wear jewellery in my lobes for a long time after they had healed because cheap jewellery disagreed with me, and I didn't bother to research alternatives. When I was 15, I decided I'd like to start wearing jewellery in my lobes again, and bought some titanium bars from a website. After I had cleaned them etc, and put them in my ears – I had no trouble at all. Whilst researching piercings, I came across BME and started surfing around the pictures and stories; it was then that I decided I needed another piercing.
I had always admired lip piercings, however I knew it wouldn't really suit me just yet, especially not for my first piercing. When I looked at pictures of nostril piercings, I knew this was the piercing for me and thought that it would really suit me. When I asked my mum, she said that there was "no way not ever", however – when I told her I was going to have it done when I was 16 whether she liked it or not, she realised she'd have no choice in the matter; all that she asked was that I kept it clean, I agreed.
I spoke to my local piercer (a friend of my brother's, and well known in my town for all his body mods!) who said that he would do it for me no problem, but only when I was 16.
On my 16th birthday, a friend and I headed down to the studio where Dan worked. He was expected me, and when I walked in he said happy birthday, and asked which side I would like to be pierced. I told him the left – and after giving me a consent form to fill out, he went through to the piercing room to get all his equipment ready.
When Dan was ready, he asked me through to the piercing room – at a glance round it was very clean. He showed me some nose screws and asked which one I would like, I chose a sliver one with a light pink gem in it; we then settled on a placing which he had marked with a pen – perfect first time; although he made sure I was genuinely happy with it. He had lay all his piercing equipment out on a table, and after washing his hands and putting on some gloves, he showed me the receiving tube he would put up my nose to stop the needle from going further than it was meant to. All the equipment looked very clean, as did the bed I lay on, which had a paper disposable covering. My piercer cleaned my nose with a wipe, and gestured for me to lay down.
I lay down, and Dan put the receiving tube up my left nostril. He told me to take a deep breath, and then he put the needle through. Hardly any pain at all – I was surprised. He asked if I was okay, and I said that I was absolutely fine. Dan warned me that my eyes would probably water a little when he put the jewellery in, and they did. He gave me a paper towel to wipe my eyes and then took off his gloves, washed his hands and put a clean set on. He cleaned my piercing and told me about aftercare – then ushered me to a mirror. My new piercing looked great and I was really happy!
I went through to the front of the shop and paid a lady, at £10 I was shocked at how cheap the price was! Dan was obviously cleaning up, but I waited till he came back through and thanked him before leaving.
I proceeded to eat quite a bit of chocolate because I was scared of fainting etc – even though I had never done so before. For the rest of the day, the only pain I had was a dull ache, and that evening it was a bit uncomfortable, however I cleaned the hole with some pre boiled water with added salt using a cotton bud. Now, two days on, the only pain I experience is when I accidentally catch my nose or yawn! I am very happy with my piercing and the only hurdle I now have to face is school, but I've only got a couple of months left anyway – so they'll probably lump it. My mum likes the new addition to my face, but my dad isn't as keen; although he says its my body and he respects my decisions and all that jazz so it's cool.
I definitely recommend the studio – Under The Skin, and my piercer, Dan Hayes – I will be going back if I choose to get another piercing that's for sure!