I shall begin at the beginning. I have been getting ears pierced for over two years (since I was 15), lobes done three times at claire's (not a good idea, gunning is bad for your ears, then three times more at LPS (helix on both sides, and left rim). So I'm no stranger to the piercing idea. I always wanted something facial pierced, and seeing as nose, lip and so on don't rally suit me, I thought an eyebrow piercing would be ideal.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Katie Studio Leeds Piercing Studio Location Leeds, UK About two months ago I went to get my left eyebrow pierced. I had had my right one pierced six moths previous, but my work made me take it out. Since I had quit Tesco three days beforehand, I was free to get more piercings done. As I had already had my right one done (there are two small dots where it used to be, but nothing more) I figured getting the left one done would make sense. For those Evanescence fans among you, the left eyebrow is the one Amy Lee had pierced. Not that it's relevant, I just thought you might like a random fact :)
Went to Leeds piercing Studio. It is opposite Pagan body piercing, which looked OK, but I knew a lady that had her helix done there. It had swelled up so badly that she had to go to the doctor to extract all the pus. Mind you, that may have been down to bad luck or her lazy aftercare, rather than bad piercing practices. Besides, LPS has a shop downstairs, selling jewellery, bongs, scales and the like.
I went to the studio with money and my passport (you only have to be 16 to get a piercing in the UK, unless it's intimate, like nipples or genital). I picked up a "piercing menu" (price list- very long!) from the counter. The lady at the counter was dead friendly, laughing and joking, and the guy with her was saying how amazing it was that I produced my passport without having to be asked, hehehe. I'd been there too many times previously for ear piercings to hope that they wouldn't request ID. But that's the mark of a good studio.
They asked me which jewellery I wanted (I said plain barbell, as I prefer the look of that, but I found out later getting it pierced with a BCR is better, as it is less likely to migrate so much). It was also one of the cheapest options, I could have got it done with a spiked barbell for £10 more, but the spikes were tiny, so I didn't feel it was worth it.
I paid them £20 (we don't tip in the UK, it is something we reserve for restaurants!) and went upstairs, sat on the seat by the staircase and ate my chocolate (sugar keeps your blood sugar levels up, prevents fainting, and helps lessen the pain). After a few minutes, the artist called me into the room. It is very clean-looking and sterile, and light and airy, which helps with people who feel faint or sick. Katie asked me to sit down, asked me which eyebrow I wanted done, cleaned it, and marked on the dots. I checked them in the mirror (they were fine). I asked if they used anaesthetic for this piercing, she said no, as it doesn't hurt. Not exactly correct, but I guess they're only piercing soft flesh rather than cartilage.
She then lined up the needle, and in it went. It didn't hurt much, no more than a vaccine in the arm. I could feel it heating up. She then put in the jewellery, and I was free to go! It looked brilliant, and it felt good to have an eyebrow bar again. I checked it in my reflection outside, and wondered around the Corn Exchange in Leeds feeling really good. Sad, but true. That feeling always wears off quickly, and gets replaced by a desire to shove more bits of metal through my ears, or wherever.
Two months on, it has bled a bit, and so on, and I think it got infected a couple of times. I quickly made up some saline solution (8 oz pre-boiled water and 1/4 teaspoon salt), cleaned it with that twice a day, and it got better. I bought some disposable gloves from the local chemist, as this prevents bacteria getting into the piercing from your hands. NEVER use cotton wool, loo paper, or anything fibrous to clean a piercing; it only makes infection more likely.
Hopefully in a month I'll be able to replace it with a double spiked curved barbell, which I bought off eBay.
I would highly recommend Leeds Piercing Studio to anyone. Just make sure you always bring ID, as they are are strict about that, and a sugary drink or snack. The staff are friendly, helpful and experienced.
Happy piercing!