Now, before I get started, I thought I'd give you some background information. I really got into piercings at around 7. I used to pass by stores like Claire's, and I had always wanted to get my ear pierced. Well, I kind of stopped for a while, and went on with my life. Fast-forward to this passed summer. I was in a summer school that I really liked, and once again, I asked my mom "Can I get my ear cartilage pierced?" She told me it was ok, so I got one done at Wal-Mart (SHHH I know, bad idea, guns, blah, blah, blah). Well, after getting one of those, I kinda stopped for another little while, until a friend at the summer school got her eyebrow pierced. I was like "Whoa" and I NEEDED to get it done. At first, however, I just thought it was OWWW lol, but after a little while, it looked NICE lol. Well, the day after summer school ended, I went back to Wal-Mart and got a second cartilage piercing, and I wasn't at all satisfied. I knew I needed more holes in my body!
At A Glance Author Rafa Contact Rafa@bme.anon When A week ago Artist James Studio Carnival Tattoos Location Tucson, AZ So I went to Phoenix, and while I was there, I got a third cartilage piercing (guess where J), and later decided to take it out, because I frankly didn't like it anymore. So it came out, and I then found a link to http://bmezine.com, and started to look around. Instantly, I was captivated by all the body piercings, but especially the eyebrow. Now, by then I kind of had an idea of what my mom would like/not like, and I knew she would never let me get my eyebrow pierced. So I started asking her about the nose. An immediate "No!" Then, my inverse navel. Then my eyebrow. My mom wasn't feeling it, and was nervous about the risks and such, so she just threw a fit, and it was over.
Well, the first day of High School was very hard. I knew very few people, and I am very shy, so it didn't help. As soon as I got home, I told my mom (over the phone) how much I wanted to quit Mariachi, (being as I am the only freshman in that class) and she got upset. Once she got home, she made me go talk to her, and she was very sad that I wanted to quit Mariachi. She had always loved my violin playing and such, so she was heartbroken. Once I told her why, she told me "Oh well, I guess you can't get your eyebrow pierced." I was like "WHAT!!" and she told me "Yep, I wasn't going to let you, but it seemed like the perfect compromise." Instantly I agreed to stay in the mariachi class, and we agreed to the next Saturday as the day of the piercing. Well, as many do not know, I live with my grandmother, and she was for sure going to hate the idea, so my mom told me she'd handle it. Well, the next few days were really nerve-racking, waiting to see the piercing get done.
The day before the piercing was my late grandfather's birthday, so we went up to see his grave, and I was given a sort of "OK" from my grandfather, in a way. Well, of course I was really excited when I got home, and semi nervous, but I got through it. My aunt, the one who lives in Phoenix, was also in on it, and I fell asleep late, and woke up at 6:00. After a while, everyone else started to get up. My biggest fear came true, my grandmother had said no to the piercing. I was literally shaking; I was so disappointed. So my grandmother comes into my room, and I tell her why I want it done. My grandmother eventually reluctantly agrees, and I got ready, and was off.
I had chosen Carnival Tattoos because my friends got pierced there, so I figured "Why the hell not?" When we finally turned south on 1st avenue, we couldn't find the place. So we drove around twice, and we finally saw a semi-small black building, which said tattoos. So I walk in, and am instantly greeted by a normal looking man. I asked if the store was Carnival, and the man said it was, so I went and told my mom, and she parked, I waited for her before going in, and once I did, I was greeted by a man named James, who preformed the procedure.
Upon walking into the studio, I noticed a very sterile environment, which put me at ease. Once the supplies were 'claved, I went into the piercing room. The room was filled with pictures of fish, and it had 2 huge aquariums. The man then had me sit in one of three piercing chairs (the old dentist's chairs) and told me that there was a more private room for more private piercings. So at this point my mom & aunt were quite nervous, and they both asked about the sterilization. He took them back to see the autoclave, and showed them a spore test, which made them ok with it all. James then took me though the procedure, with no breathing, but whatever. So when James put the needle at the point, I got really nervous. He asked me if I was ready, and I told him "yes", and it was just a matter of seconds, until the needle was through (by the way, he marked the spots with a sharpie, and I had him move them, which was twice). My mom told me I was shaking when the needle went through, an d he told me that if I relaxed, it would be a lot easier, but to no avail, so he put the jewelry in, which hurt far more then the actual piercing, and closed the ring with the bead. He then had me sit and see if I was ok, which I was. After a few minutes of chit chat, we went to pay. James gave me all my aftercare information, and a free extra barbell, and we were off. We stopped at Jack in the box and drank milkshakes. After that, we went to Wal-Greens, and picked up my aftercare stuff (dial soap and bactine). A few days later, I went back, because he told me I could have the hoop changed to a barbell, which I did, and its been better ever since.
If someone were to ask me if I recommend the piercing, I say "YES" lol, it didn't hurt much, and I really like it. Also, if anyone gets it done in Tucson, AZ. GET IT DONE AT CARNIVAL!!!! J