On my 18th birthday, I wanted to do something that symbolized that I was finally 18. I didn't want to get a tattoo, because there was nothing I would want that would really mean anything to me. I'd wanted to get my eyebrow done since I was about 16, so I decided to do it.
At A Glance Author Kelli Contact Kelli@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Ronnie Studio Traditional Tattoo Location San Luis Obispo, CA I went into Traditional Tattoo, since it was about a block away from my house. I went in, met a guy named Ronnie, and told him that I wanted to get my eyebrow pierced. I flashed my id, and he handed me some standard legal paperwork. As I was looking through his portfolio I noticed that he had no pictures of eyebrows with barbells in them, only ones with hoops. I asked him if I could get a barbell, and he said that they didn't normally do them since they were harder to clean and the healing time was significantly longer. I explained to him that it had been hard enough convincing my mom to let me get a barbell in my eyebrow (since I live and work for her) and that she wouldn't be thrilled if I came home with a hoop in it. He said he would go ahead and do it, but it would cost more. I decided that was fine, and we were on our way.
I sat out in the lobby while he set up his station in the back. He came out to get me and by this time I was really nervous. The only other thing I had gotten pierced was my ears, and that was at the mall with the piercing guns that don't even hurt. But I went back to his station. Everything looked very clean and professional. The only thing that irked me a little was a big red sticker on the wall that said "Give Blood!!" with a needle on it. We both picked on where we thought the piercing would look the best. He measured it out, and marked it with purple dye. He showed me the needles he would be using, which were all straight out of the package. He also showed me the barbell that he would be putting in my eyebrow, also fresh out of the package. He explained what he would do step by step.
He first wiped off my eyebrow with some iodine, and then alcohol. He explained what he was doing as he did it, which made me feel really comfortable. He put the clamp on my eyebrow, which didn't hurt at all, and then told me to take a deep breath. Ok so most people just want to know if it hurts. And my answer is not at all!! If you pluck your eyebrows, it hurts a lot less. But mine did bleed quite a bit. He explained that this might be from the iodine that he used to clean my eyebrow since it sometimes makes it harder for the blood to coagulate. It bled all down my face, which was kind of gross. Ronnie then said that he would thread the barbell through, and took out the needle. He screwed on the barbell and voila! I was pierced. He cleaned off all the blood with alcohol wipes, and laughed and said "Gotta get it all off; I wouldn't want you to go home and your mom to see your face covered with blood." Ha.
By this time, I was starting to feel a little light-headed. Ronnie said this was normal, and that it was because of my endorphins. Well, it got a lot worse, and I couldn't hear for about a minute. I looked in the mirror and saw that my face was stark white. He handed me a lollipop and said that it would help get my insulin level up. Just when I thought I was about to hurl, I started to come back. It was a little weird, but all part of the experience I guess. Ronnie asked if I was feeling better. I nodded and he began to explain about the after care. There was a lot of stuff to remember, but luckily he gave me a pamphlet so I wouldn't have to memorize it all. I got up, went to the front, and paid for it. I looked in the mirror and was stoked...my eyebrow looked good. It was like it was a piercing that I should have been born with, it just looked like it belonged there.
So anyways, here I am, 3 days later. I haven't had that much pain, and no discharge or anything. I clean it 3 times a day with Dial Soap and q-tips, and haven't had any problems thus far. It bruised a little bit, but didn't hurt at all unless I accidentally bumped it. So, if you want to get your eyebrow pierced, do it!! It doesn't hurt, and it's not a played out piercing like tongue or belly button. If your parents aren't down, then tell them you can get a barbell instead of a hoop. My mom actually liked it, which is surprising. And if you're in the central coast area, I definitely recommend Traditional Tattoo. They were very nice and professional, and said if I ever wanted to change the jewelry, I could come in and they'd do it for free. So...what are you waiting for?