I recently decided on impulse to go and get my first ever piecing, bravely in my right eyebrow. For a number of years I toyed with the idea of having some body piercing but facing discouragement from family I had put it off until the age of 23. I only wish now that I had my eyebrow pierced when I was a bit younger, suffice it to say though I am more than pleased with the result. Before I recount my nervous first piercing experience it's worth illustrating some of the fears that I held about body piercing as I'm sure they play on the mind of anyone who contemplates having any sort of piercing done.
At A Glance Author Jamie Contact Jamie@bme.anon When A month ago Artist forgot to ask Studio tattoocrazy.co.uk Location cambridge First and foremost was the continual worries that any piercing I get would almost be virtue of bad luck get infected and cause significant discomfort. Secondly was the fear that my piercing might inadvertently get 'pulled out' either by accident, in a fight or possibly whilst clubbing with friends. Lastly was the worry that I would be unable to sleep properly and/or have to take extra care when doing mundane things like changing my clothes or simply scratching the area near my piercing. The idea of piercing aftercare had strangely never crossed my mind, although as someone who is quite particular about personal hygiene, I never imagined that this aspect of the procedure would be any sort of burden and indeed in retrospect I have certainly not found it to be. None of my worst case scenario concerns have come true in any way and I can now say in confidently that all these were simply irrational fear and only stood in the way of getting done a piercing I had for a long time desired.
It was a sunny July afternoon in Cambridge; earlier that morning I finally decided to go for it having weighed up all the pros and cons. Considering that I was very nervous about the whole thing and only had a vague idea where the most reputable piercing studio could be found in this small but cramped city. I called my friend John who had his eyebrow pierced many years before and had assured me that the procedure would be quick, painless and look good on me. He gave me detailed directions but I managed to get lost as the point of reference was a particular coffee shop, but there were two branches of this particular chain in town and I was outside the shop which was not adjacent to the piercing studio. After about half an hour on the phone trying to give me nonsensical directions he finally called off a meeting at work to take me by hand to the studio and have my eyebrow pierced. Given that he took time off work for me to have this done I almost felt a sense of obligation to go ahead with it (probably the motivation I needed to finally get it done).
We arrived at the studio, nervous but not wanting to show that I was a bit scared having never experienced any sort of piercing before. It was a small shop just off a rather seedy backstreet with two female staff and a private area set aside out back. There was a small wooden door that made this area private, but at this point was open for all to see (it was fitted with an adjustable dentists chair and chilling décor illustrating a host of different and extreme piercings). There were packs of needles in sterilised packing on the counter and an array of rings, bars and other body jewellery on display everywhere. I asked how much an eyebrow piercing would cost and I found her response acceptable, she handed me a consent form at which point I filled in promptly and went to pay for the procedure. I was then escorted out back by a warm, clam and friendly woman who had an array of piercings herself. She asked if I felt nervous, I replied by saying that I did, but was looking forward to the result. She explained that most people have a reaction to being pierced and that some people greatly liked the sensation of the process. She then asked me where I wanted the piercing by holding up a mirror and hovering over several areas on my eyebrow. I replied by insisting that it be placed on my right eyebrow (as I sleep on my left) and picked a precise position for it (toward the far right side of my brow near the corner of my eye). A clamp was placed on my brow and my heart started to palpitate as she told me to concentrate on my breathing. I felt a cold pinch through my skin followed by a sting, and that was it the bar had been placed in my brow. At this point I felt my vision going and explained to the woman that I felt a bit funny. She secured the piercing and I at that point lost consciousness. It was not so much the pain, but the shock that feeling this piece of metal in my face caused. I regained consciousness and was asked whether I wanted a drink of water, I said yes. She also brought my friend John in from outside and °>ÃwŒë gave me a lollipop to help build up my blood sugar again. Within ten minutes I was fine and walked out of eh shop with my friend. My eyebrow was sore for about three days and swell up a bit, but went down after about three weeks. Today I still apply special aftercare solution I bought from the shop as it is still in the process of healing. Eventually I hope to replace the bar with something a bit more stylish, maybe a coloured spike.
Since having my eyebrow pierced, I have subsequently added a ring to the cartilage of my right ear (which similarly went fine) and am planning several other modifications including a genital piercing, although for now that idea is on hold for lack of courage.