I've been fascinated with body piercings for years (I'm 15) and have several planned for when I turn 18. My several ear holes have closed due to me getting bored, and taking the rings out. But I knew that if I got a different, cool piercing, that I would love it and take care of it. I wanted my tongue done the most, but I KNEW that my parents wouldn't let me get it done. So, little scheming girl that I am, I proposed to the parentals the possibility of having my tongue pierced. I threw in there (because I knew they'd prefer the alternative) that I wanted my eyebrow done, too. They refused to let me get my tongue done, but immediately took the eyebrow ring bait and agreed to take me to get it done, on the condition that I left my tongue alone... Yeah, that'll happen. :)
At A Glance Author Molly Contact Molly@bme.anon When A week ago Studio Wildman's Tattoo & Piercing Parlor Location Fort Wayne, IN My mom did some research and decided that we should go to Wildmans, probably the oldest and most prestigous parlor in our town. I took my friend Aaron with me, and I think he was more nervous than I was. We went in and, while we waited, looked at all the tattoo designs on the walls (they do the best tattoos in town, too). My mom and I signed some papers, and then a cool, young guy took us into the back. The back room was kind of dim and intimidating, and my stomach started to get butterflies, but the place was totally clean. I picked out the ring and bead that I wanted, and sat down on the table.
I had decided that before I got it done I was going to try and slip into a semi-meditative state by doing some relaxation techniques and deep breathing. And it helped that, to begin with, I wasn't too nervous anyways.
**RECOMMENDATION: Before your piercer puts the clamps on, take deep breaths, blur your eyes, and try to concentrate on one object in the room. Think about something that you're going to do later that day, or distract yourself by humming a song in your head... It helps.**
I did this, and relaxed a lot. He marked the holes where the needle would go, and I agreed that it looked fine. He got out the clamps and put them on my left eyebrow. All of the equipment was sterile, and he had gloves on (his professionalism was a big comfort). I was so relaxed and spacy that he asked if I was going to faint or anything. That surprised me... I was excited and couldn't wait for him to do it! I wasn't really watching what he was doing, but he got out the needle, put it up to my eyebrow and told me to take a deep breath. I breathed...
As the needle went in, I felt a slight numb burning sensation. It was so cool! I could feel it as it pierced my skin and it gave me this HUGE feeling of adrenaline and euphoria. He put in the ring, bent it, and screwed the bead in. I hopped off the table, grinning, and gazed in the mirror. It was so cool! I loved it... The ring was larger than I had thought it was, but he said that he needed to make it that size to account for swelling. We went back over the aftercare, and I was out of there. I felt stoned I was so happy! My mom and Aaron were creeped by how cool I'd been with the whole procedure...
At school on Monday, everyone was surprised that I'd actually had it done. My eyebrow had been completely fine all weekend, and it was slightly red that morning since I'd slept on my left side, but still alright. But everyone kept poking it and messing with it, so by the end of the day, my eye was really swollen. I woke up the next morning to find my eye almost swollen shut! I was pissed off... I stayed home and took care of it, and it was pretty gross for a few days. The normal whitish discharge got worse, and it was pretty sore. But I kept cleaning it, and left it alone and now it's fine and dandy. I can't wait to get more piercings!
My advice: Just do it! You'll love it, and I didn't think it hurt at all! But make sure you keep it clean, don't mess with it too much (that's hard to do), and DON'T LET PEOPLE TOUCH IT! There's a big taboo against hydrogen peroxide, but it helped the discharge and swelling go away really well after my piercing got irritated. However, don't use this for daily cleaning. Wash it with antibacterial soap, and clean it with piercing-care antiseptic at least 2-3 times a day. If it swells, put ice on the area around the piercing, but don't get the jewelry cold (that'll HURT). But if you're considering getting it done, I would definitely say go for it. I love mine, and the mild discomfort was sooo worth it. Happy piercing!!! :-D