I had always liked the idea of getting my eyebrow pierced, and so after discussing it with my mum (her reaction: What? Why the hell would you want one of those!) I decided what the hell; I'll do it. So I took one of my mates and off we went in search of a piercing studio.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon Artist Maryanne Studio Retro Location Auckland, New Zealand The first piercing studio we investigated was one that had been recommended to me, and although it was very clean and professional, it was very expensive (especially for a poor student such as myself!). So we decided to investigate round some more piercing shops.
Soon enough we came across another place, and had a nice chat to the lady at the desk about pricing (much cheaper than the other place!) and about the studio's safety/hygiene/ cleanliness. She said that they were busy right now, but come back in half an hour and then I could get pierced. She also told us that we should have some food first, as this would lessen my chances of fainting. So we went to a cafe down the road and grabbed some food, before heading back.
I was given a form to fill in which asked about any medical conditions I had, and was all pumped up and ready to go, until the woman told me I had to 18 to get my eyebrow pierced, or have parent permission. Ah I was so gutted! So much anticipation for nothing!
Anyway, so I got my mum to sign some permission slip (which was a bit pointless because I could've forged a signature had I wanted to) and returned the next day, with the same friend in tow who was getting her nose pierced.
They took my friend back first to pierce her, so I waited on a couch in the front of the shop. It took a while but soon my friend emerged with a stud in her nose. They had used an ear gun for it, which sounded a bit odd (sure enough it didn't heal, and she ended up taking out because it hurt). But now it was my turn, so I gathered my courage and followed the piercer into the piercing room.
They had this dentist-type chair in there, which I had to lie back on, and the piercer drew a spot on my eyebrow. Then she showed me what equipment she was using and what it was used for, and I was pleased to see that everything was new (the needle, the gloves etc.). Next she grabs some clamps and clamps down my eyebrow. That was probably the most painful bit! Then she tells me to breathe in, then take a deep breath out, and tells me it would be best if I closed my eyes. As I breathed out, she pushed the needle through my eyebrow. And yes it did hurt a bit- not that much though. She left the needle in for about 10 seconds, and I could see this huge thing sticking out of my eyebrow, which made me laugh. I would compare the pain to a very strong pinch. The pain left when she took the needle out, then she put the jewellery in (I had gone for a plain barbell as I thought this would be less likely to catch on stuff) and then it was all over!
The piercer told me that I was very brave ( yay me!) and that some other people had cried, yelled and even fainted when they had got their piercing done (My guess is that this was due to fear rather than pain!). But I think she was a bit worried about how quiet I was, because she kept asking me if I felt queasy or if I was going to faint.
I thanked the piercer, paid my money, and off I went feeling so proud of myself for actually going through with it.
The piercing didn't hurt that much afterwards, just a dull throbbing and it was a bit tender. The area was a bit red, but according to the piercer that was due to the clamps more than the piercing. However there was a little blood, it wasn't hardcore bleeding or anything, but just a little blood where the holes were. It started to heal very nicely and I was really pleased with the placement. However, me being ultra clumsy, I managed to catch it on everything from my hair to my tee-shirt, which hurt like a bitch!
Unfortunately, 6 weeks later I was taking my piercing out for a job interview and the barbell fell down the sink! Dam!!! I stuck one of my brother's old tongue barbells through the piercing, but that looked pretty silly, and I was going out that night so I took it out.
It healed up quite quickly, so unfortunately I didn't have time to get another barbell. Its been out for a week now, and all that's left of my beautiful eyebrow piercing is a small scar and a small lump, that feels like scar tissue, but even that is fading now! :(. My parents were pretty ecstatic though, although they have a *its your body so you can do what you like* attitude, they still think piercing is ugly and barbaric!
But I'm definitely going to get it done again, I loved it and I think it suited me. And I'd also like to get my labret, nostril and navel done, and stretch my earlobes!