Since I was in 7th grade body modification always interested me. First I wanted a nostril stud with a chain to connect to my ear lobe. Then three navel piercing, and come on... who honestly didn't consider their nipples? At the time I didn't have ANY knowledge of genital piercing, but had I known, I'm sure I would've wanted one too. Of course my parents were against ANY of the ideas that randomly popped into my head. And at the time that was probably a good thing, or I'd look like I fought a sewing machine and lost.
At A Glance Author Michelle Contact abbazabbazabbaabba@yahoo.com When Three months ago Artist Jared Studio High Priestess Piercing Location Eugene, OR Anyway, toward the end of my freshmen year I was getting really sick of school. After talking to guidance councilors and teachers "we" decided to give school another try. All of my classes were with people 2 or 3 years older then me, and yet, less mature. And though I was taking these challenging courses, my school officials wouldn't consider early graduation. At that point I made it very clear that if my school situation didn't get better I planned to drop out when I legally could (in Oregon thats age 16). My statement scared my parents to near death, and they agreed to let me get one "extreme" piercing if I either stayed in school, or earned my G.E.D. So to make a long story short... I got my G.E.D. 2 weeks after turning 16.
I'm not sure exactly how I decided on getting my eyebrow done. But somehow it just seemed like it was ME. Every time I saw someone with their eyebrow pierced they just looked so beautiful. So after a couple calls around town we picked High Priestess. The people there are very professional, and informative. Yet they don't seem overbearing like many other shops I've visited.
Anyway it was just a standard procedure. Picked out my jewelry, and was called into a piercing room. At first my piercer wanted to talk a little about my selection. Obviously not everybody's bodies are alike. And I, being Asian, run a high risk of rejection in the eyebrow area. Mainly because my brow bones are not predominate at all. But without trying to discourage me, he told me all of my risks. I decided that I still wanted to go for it. So Jared (the piercer) marked little dots with ink on my eyebrow to show me where the piercing would be placed. He Massaged my eyebrow area with some sanitary gel (I can't think of the name right now) and told me to take a deep breath. As I was breathing out, in went the needle, followed by the jewelry... and Vola! A new piercing.
Now the bad news. 16 days after having my adored new piercing I got a job offer. A great paying job at that... The only problem? No facial piercings. And since I'd only had my piercing done for 16 days I couldn't use a retainer. So... sadly... I had to return to the piercing shop and ask to have my lovely jewelry removed. Jared felt bad and told me that if I ever wanted it redone, he'd be willing to do it free of charge.
Skip about 5 months forward...
My boss seemed to grow very bitter in the 5 months I was working for him. Soon I found out that he had 3 lawsuits pending against him for verbal abuse in the work place, I realized that I was a victim of this. After discussing the issue with my parents we decided that leaving would be the best option.
My parents found it very strange that I was so excited about leaving my job. They had forgotten about my free re-piercing. So I once again I got in done, on September 23rd. And I couldn't be happier!
One thing I really do regret about my whole piercing experience was my lack of commitment. I mean, sure I wanted the piercing, but I was so quick to take it out when something else came along. Piercings and tattoos are both meant to be permanent. Sure, many piercings heal, scars fade, and tattoos can either be covered by make-up, or removed at high costs. But It's really your mind set that matters. If you have any plans for the future that a body mod could interfere with, then wait. The tattoo parlors and piercing shops will still be here tomorrow, and I'm sure they'll be here for generations to come.
Piercing Care: I'm lucky my eyebrow didn't reject the jewelry. After any piercing your body tries to heal and rejecting is actually a way for your body to protect itself. Sea salt soaks and washing with uncolored, unscented, anti-bacterial soaps are the best ways to care for your piercings. Once your piercings are healed I've heard massaging with vitamin E oil is great. (You can get that from poking a hole in a vitamin E gel cap). And make sure to wash your jewelry with the afore mentioned soap whenever removing it, or at least daily. And please, PLEASE don't touch your piercings without first washing your hands! Your hands carry more germs on them then the whole rest of your body.
Good luck with all your future mods! I'm sure I have more to come.