my first eyebrow piercing.
At A Glance Author proserpinalives Contact proserpinalives@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Amy Studio Twisted Images Location Louisville, KY When I was 12 years old (I do believe I was out with my family at the time), I saw a young woman walking towards us. I remembering nearly staring at her because I was so intrigued with her face. She had an eyebrow piercing. I know that immediately after she passed us by, I commented to my mother on how much I wanted a piercing just like that. I can imagine at the time my mother was probably silently horrified by my adolescent omission but she didn't respond, she only kept walking.
Now at that age, I could already tell it was not something my mother agreed with. But to me it was such an enhancement to an already pretty face. And with that thought in mind, I went home and stared in the mirror for a while, trying to picture how such a piercing would look on lil' ol' me. My imagination didn't have to work too hard on this one. I liked what I was seeing and this so far was only in my mind!
I decided that day, that I wanted an eyebrow piercing. Not because I thought it was cool, or the thing to do. Not because I was trying to stand out or be original. And certainly not to displease my mother (which I'm sorry to say happened nonetheless). No, I got this particular piercing done because I knew it could only improve the way I looked. I could see it going well with all of my facial features and my face is what I enjoy most about my appearance. An eyebrow piercing could only improve upon my best feature. How could I not do it?
Three days after my 19th birthday I finally had permission (though legally I didn't need it) and the funds for my very special birthday present. I went with a friend of mine who also decided to have some work done with me. It was my first time having any body modification done (not including my ears of course) and my friend had had a great deal done already. That was precisely why I was more than happy to have her with me. She could tell me what to expect (well in some sense anyway, she does not have her eyebrow pierced). I was going to be pierced by the piercer she goes to regularly and that upped my comfort level, especially because I had met her several times before. So essentially it didn't seem like a random stranger was going to be putting holes into my body. Hooray for that!
We arrived at Twisted Images, Tattoo and Body Piercing parlor, in the late afternoon and to keep from backing out and to keep from having second thoughts, I decided to go first. When I think back on it now, I don't think second thoughts would've been much of an issue with me. Typically once I decide to do something, I do it. And since I had wanted this particular piercing since I was 12, if I had backed out, I would've been utterly disgusted with myself.
My piercer, Amy, was very thorough in explaining the entire procedure to me, and she made sure I understood what and why she would be doing what she was going to do. After agreeing with the jewelry, markings and measurements at the end of my right eyebrow we were ready to begin.
I am not afraid of needles, yet I have to admit that my palms were clammy and my heart rate was a bit above normal. I had talked to my doctor about possible risks and actually did some research here at BME before I made my final decision. But I wasn't worried about a problem occurring, and I wasn't nervous in the general sense of the word, just filled with the strange nervous yet excited energy that seems to come with every new experience.
Well in the end I chose to sit up during the procedure, though Amy offered to have me lay down. She told me to take 3 deep breaths and release them slowly. On the 3rd breath release I felt it. I felt the needle push through. What surprised me was how it all felt.
It didn't hurt one bit. It was all more or less a squeezing (due to the forceps) and then a hard popping sensation. Almost like popping a huge pimple, if you'll excuse the crude analogy. It bled some, but not nearly enough to be bothersome, and when she put the hoop through, it was over.
I was ecstatic. I had wanted to get my eyebrow pierced for so long and it was finally done.
My relief didn't last long however. My piercer was preparing me for my second and last piercing for the evening.
My left nostril...