Two days ago, I decided to get my eyebrow pierced. I've wanted to do for two years, but my mom and dad always said no. However, in April, my Dad left my mom, and my mom has been radically different and more accepting since that time. Her life has changed, and she is more agreeable. I asked her first off if I could get my nose pierced (my friend Rob was the inspiration and motivation for asking to get something pierced, as we were going downtown to get his tragus pierced anyway). She said no, then told me to call my dad and see what he would say. He said I could get my nose pierced, and he even said he would agree to my bellybutton. I have no interest in bellybutton, and I knew that nose wouldn't suit me, so I asked my mom about my eyebrow. She reluctantly told me to do what I want, and that she would love me no matter what. She also gave Rob (he's 21) full permission to sign the necessary release forms required for piercings, and quickly wrote a letter of permission with her phone number at the bottom.
At A Glance Author Aleicia Contact Aleicia@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Bear Studio 1st Piercing Parlour Location Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C. My sister and my friend decided to come down with us too, and on the way downtown to Granville, we convinced my sister to get her nose pierced. She was hesitant, and wasn't sure, but said that she would decide later and wanted to be spontaneous. However, once we got downtown and were in 1st Piercing Parlour, she chickened and neglected to make an appointment for herself for later in the day. Rob and I went ahead and made our appointments for 4:30, chose out the gauge of rings we wanted, and the colour of beads. I was surprised to learn that 1st only pierces with rings, except for piercings where barbells are necessary, but I didn't mind. I had been planning on an eyebrow ring anyway.
By the time that 4.30 rolled around, my sister was sure that she wanted to get her nose done, but was a bit hesitant, due to the fact that the piercings were all rings, and she didn't like the look of nose rings. However, when we made our way back down to the piercing parlour, she said that she had to do it. Once inside, we had to fill out the release forms, read over an aftercare pamphlet, and then we were quizzed quickly on the aftercare instructions and treatment procedures. It was then the moment of truth. Our piercer was Bear, a relatively short biker looking man, but he was overall very light and happy. He led us down the hall to a room that looked like an examining room in a doctor's office. It was VERY clean, and he was constantly washing everything and rinsing and putting out new protective covers and stuff. He asked us who was going first, and Rob decided he would, since it had been his original idea.
Watching the needle go into Rob's ear, and watching a lone tear trickle down his cheek made me question my piercing. Did I really want to put myself through pain, just for a piece of metal in my face? I couldn't finish questioning myself, because it was my turn next, and I knew that if I chickened, I would never hear the end of it, or have the guts to do it. So, I laid down on the little bed, and listened as Bear explained the whole procedure. He removed the needle and the ring from sealed, sterilized packages, cleaned my eyebrow, and then told me that we were going to practice breathing first, before anything else. Somewhere in that time, I asked him when he was going to put the clamp on, and he said he wasn't! That using a clamp was more likely to cause a black eye than not, because it kept the blood vessel behind the eye in place, instead of letting it move out of the way. I was very glad to hear this news, because from what I had heard, the clamp was the worst part. We practiced more breathing (his voice was so hypnotic, that if I hadn't been about to get pierced, I would have fallen asleep! Talk about relaxation!), and then he told me he was going to put the tip of the needle against the top dot he had drawn. I felt something cold, but no pain yet. More breathing, and he finally asked me to take one last breath. I did, and the needle was in. It was no more pain than pinching yourself, and it only lasted for about 2 seconds. He then slid the ring through, and all I could feel was pressure. No pain. A quick pinch of the ring with some pliers, squeeze the bead on, clean the piercing, and I was done! It had lasted all of about 10 minutes, but it was an enjoyable 10 minutes. I got up and went to the mirror and spent a good 5 minutes admiring myself, until my sister's piercing came along. Everything went good with that, and when that was done, we all went out to pay. It ended up costing me $50, give or take a few, which I thought was VERY good . I'm extremely pleased with my piercing, and I recommend it, and 1st Piercing Parlour to anyone who is seriously considering it.
P.S. Aftercare is as easy as pie!:D