An earl was a piercing I never thought I'd have, but then again had you asked me a year ago you'd have been told I'd never have a septum or three labrets...
At A Glance Author Ms Noir Contact Ms Noir@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist not sure Studio Asgard, bargate Location Southampton, England I'm absolutely terrible at decisions and had a niggling urge that an earl would be my next mod, not being one to wait for things I also decided that it should happen that very day (Christmas Eve!). Since we were already in town I dragged my boyfriend into Asgard (he has a lack of money and a serious jealousy complex when it comes to piercings) to talk to Raaki my resident piercer. I asked about what cost I was looking at and scarring issues for when it was to come out. I'm set to be a bridesmaid for a fairly conservative cousin and so needed to find out about retainer possibilities for the wedding. I was told that scarring would be no worse than any of the other facial mods I have and that a retainer could be made for me closer to the time. I thanked her and left still not quite sure as to what to do about it, after some retail 'therapy' and lots of winging at aforementioned boyfriend about how I wanted it and telling him to make the decision for me he decided that I would indeed be getting an earl!
We walked back into the studio greeted by an "I thought you'd be back" look and filled out the standard forms and whatever else. There were only three piercers in that day with a collective experience of one earl between them. Not a great confidence boost but there's a first time for everything. After a bit of conversation it was decided that one of the trainees (I don't know her name, only that she changed all my lip rings for me once) would be doing the piercing. Raaki measured me and it seemed that I'd be needing a 20mm barbell despite everyone's agreement that this appeared to be a little on the large side. Myself and my piercer were then left to it in the side room on that oh so familiar table.
We took a little while getting marked up as the dots were refusing to cooperate and line up straight, I think we were both pretty nervous which didn't help, eventually they were inked at a reasonable level and were good to go. She put some new gloves on and then showed me "my" needle being opened in its packet, something that I always like to see. She got the clamps onto my bridge and I must admit that they hurt like a bitch, having tightened them once they slipped off thus causing the whole episode to be repeated. I then closed my eyes and started breathing deeply(heart pounding and palms sweating), the needle pinched as it entered and yes it hurt but no where near as much as other mods I've got(particularly my septum and conch). I felt the needle being disconnected from the catheter and she slid the 20mm bar in, this was ridiculously over large so we put the catheter back in and sterilized a 16mm bar so we could try again. This time we had a better fit much to my relief as the constant sliding in and out was getting uncomfortable, as you can probably imagine in a fresh piercing. Finally she screwed the ball on, cleaned the area with their "magic spray" and showed me the result in the mirror.
To my horror it looked wonky but I thanked her anyway and after signing the final papers (I rarely get the obligatory aftercare talk anymore) left the studio. I never seem to like my piercings after the initial piercing and this was no exception. I was really upset as I imagined it being at an angle forever. I kept catching sight of myself in windows and from a distance it looked great and I was pleased, my boyfriend assured me that it would straighten out but I was still worried. There was definite swelling at first as you couldn't see any bar but there was no pain after the first couple of days. I cleaned the area twice a day with witch hazel and found it skanked mostly from the exit hole but nothing particularly bad. It still crusts up a little and I reckon it always will as this happened with my now retired eyebrow. Three months on and it's still a tiny bit angled but I've decided "it has character" :)
It's definitely one of my "pet favourites" as my piercings go and the spur of the moment want worked out perfectly in the long run. I know this is a fairly 'in your face' piercing which puts some people off especially us girls but I think it can look really cute so if you want something a bit rare an earl should be a definite consideration.