Hello. My name is Laura, and I am addicted to IAM and BME. My relationship is suffering for it, as I spend all day on the computer talking to my new friends, and I feel like I losing touch with what is real and what isn't. I need help.
At A Glance Author lozza Contact laura_popple@yahoo.co.uk IAM Lozza_mc When Three months ago Artist Gillian Studio Mikes Tattooz, Location Carlisle, Cumbria, UK Is such a support group exists, I would be there.
I may not have as many holes as some people, and I have no tattoos, but I was sure as hell going to amend that! I needed a new piercing, and I needed one today. I spent so much time on BME and IAM, reading experiences, reviewing them, asking people what happened to them on a one on one basis, and I was certain. I was going to get a snug piercing!
A snug piercing, it looks so unobtrusive, yet so quirky. I had to have it, I just had to! The only dilemma was (once again) going through to Carlisle to get it done. Once again I had to wait for my boyfriend to have a day off, and find the money, and go when Gillian the piercer was in.
My bit of good news arrived when my boyfriend told me he had to go through to the Hospital for tests concerning his heart condition. (no news as yet, still don't know what is wrong) The tests could take a couple of Hours, which I would be able to squander window shopping, buying stuff I didn't need, and getting pierced! Oh the joy that coursed through my veins as mark dropped me off for me to wander down to Mikes Tattooz once again.
It was raining, and raining heavily, but even the murky grey clouds didn't dampen my spirit. I was almost bouncing down to the studio (as best I could pushing my 7 month old son along in his buggy) getting odd looks from passers by. I was used to odd looks, because I don't feel the cold. It was the middle of January, tipping it down, and I was wearing a strappy summer top.
When I arrived at the studio 10 minutes later, my hair looked like rats tails, my knuckles were red with cold, and Callum was fast asleep. I once again struggled to get the buggy up the huge step outside the studio without waking Callum up, and walked inside.
Once again the studio was almost empty. The only person there was the window cleaner, and he didn't look like he knew who he was, let alone where he was. The floor had been cleaned recently, and the plants and windows were sparkly and clean. I love the atmosphere inside Mikes Tattooz. It seems so calm and friendly, like you can just sit there and contemplate, as I did. I plonked my wet bum onto a seat, and waited for Gillian to come downstairs. The rule at this studio is that children are not allowed upstairs, because that is where the tattooing takes place. They wouldn't even let me take Callum upstairs, who cannot move or crawl or walk. It's good that they have the rules, but was exasperating having to wait for someone to come down.
Another 10 minutes went by, and eventually Gillian came downstairs. I stood up so suddenly that I caught my foot on my chair and promptly fell over. I wanted to stay on the floor and cry, but I managed to get up and laugh at myself over it. Gillian said hello and welcome back. The last visit had only been 3 weeks previously, and she remembered me. I like that about my piercer, it really makes me feel good to know that someone remembers who I am. I knew what I wanted, I was certain... almost...maybe. I had printed off a picture off BME to show Gillian what I wanted, and she said no, straight off. I was shocked, and asked her why.
'You don't want to get that. It's a really bad healer. It'll hurt so much, you really don't want it.'
I felt crestfallen. My heart had stopped beating, and I felt a huge amount of grief. I was still new to the whole piercing game, and I didn't feel that I had enough information behind me to say that I still wanted to get this piercing, regardless of her opinion. I have since learned that my piercer is still an apprentice, and that was why she didn't want to risk trying a new piercing to her.
I sat back down, and pulled a face at sitting in the soggy chair I was sat in before.
'Well, what should I get instead?' I asked, with a note of desperation.
'It's not up to me is it? You have to choose' she replied.
'Thanks for your help!' I retorted. It has since become a joke between us that she won't help me choose, or say if something would look good on me, leaving me to choose blindly.
I hadn't thought of the fact that she may not do it I had some thinking to do. I had thought of stretching my lobes, but didn't fancy it right now. Perhaps I could get my eyebrow? Hmm, or maybe the back shell of my ear? Or nose. Those were the choices I gave myself. I sat and considered it for about 20 minutes. I know this isn't long to decide on a piercing, but I was so geared up to be pierced, I wasn't going to leave without some new form of metal through my body.
I was really lucky because Callum stayed asleep the whole time. If he had of been awake I don't think I would have been able to concentrate. I walked over to the piercing room, and asked if Gillian was able to pierce my... eyebrow!
I had decided and I was ready. I was going to pierce my eyebrow! Gillian led me through and sat me on the bed. We discussed the type of Jewellery, and decided on a curved barbell. We had come to the decision on a previous piercing; that barbells were a better idea, so there is less metal for Callum to grab onto whilst they were healing. I agreed and signed the appropriate paperwork. I was starting to get nervous again. The room was clean and well lit, which made me feel safer. I have been pierced there before, and knew what to expect, but I still got a chill down my spine.
Gillian got out her purple pen, and marked two little dots on the top and bottom of my eyebrow. I turned around to look in the full length mirror, and agreed that it looked okay. I lay down on the bed and waited for the clamps when...
My phone went off. I couldn't believe it. I burst into nervous giggles as I sat up and answered it.
'Hello'
'Hi mum, I'm kind of busy right now, can you call back in half an hour?'
'Sure, why?'
I gulped 'I'm getting my eyebrow pierced'
Click, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
'Mum? Are you there?'
She had hung up on me! My mum has never liked my piercings, but she hasn't the authority over me anymore. I replaced my phone in my bag and lay down again.
Gillian asked if I was prepared, and I agreed I was. I sat there while she clamped my eyebrow, which made my eyes water. I blinked to clear my eyes and she told me to keep them shut. I obeyed, and waited for the familiar sound and sensation of the freezing spray being administered to my skin. I waited, and waited, but no such thing happened. Time seems to stand still when you are in this situation. I opened my mouth to ask if she was going to use it, and I felt the needle up against my skin, then going through it. It felt like forever, but I realise it hadn't taken more than a second or so. I felt it pop through the skin at the other side, which was really surreal to me. I was used to not feeling the piercing process; this was a totally new experience! I then realised, the needle was through. I was pierced! I had survived not having the numbing spray!
I winced as she let go of the needle to cut it down, and as she threaded the jewellery through the new hole in my skin. I desperately wanted to open my eyes, to see my new feature. I felt Gillian's fingers up against my skin getting the balls on, and then she let go.
I opened my eyes slowly It was over. I had an eyebrow piercing. Getting it done without the numbing spray wasn't as awful as I had expected! It did sting a little bit, but not half as much as I had expected.
I sat up slowly and looked in the mirror next to the bed. Oh My God! It looked so amazing, it looked like it had been there for years, and it looked like a part of me. It was a part of me now. I couldn't believe that a piercing I got on a whim (which I disagree with normally) I could like so much! There was some slight throbbing, but I was used to that, I just normally feel it a about 10 minutes after the piercing has taken place. I had to ask Gillian a question regarding it.
'Did it bleed?
'No, not at all.'
I was so happy with that. None of my piercings to date have bled whilst being done.
I stood up and looked at Callum in his buggy. He was still fast asleep. I was so grateful he had slept during the entire process; it made my life just that little bit easier.
I turned around to thank and pay Gillian. Once again it only cost me £15. Only this time I tried to tip her. I handed over a £20 note, and said she can keep the extra £5, and she was having none of it. I didn't mind at all, because we are always very skint, and I shouldn't even have been getting pierced really.
Gillian didn't tell me about aftercare, but I had only just recently gotten my lip pierced, so I used the same technique as I did for that. I cleaned the holes with distilled witch hazel on a cotton but, making sure to not cross contaminate the buds or put a used one back into the liquid. I got a fair amount of pus coming out of it, but not enough to be a concern. I just made sure I cleaned it regularly and kept my fingers (and my son's) away from it.
After about two weeks or so, it stopped pussing, and didn't give me anymore bother. I know witch hazel isn't widely used, but it has always worked for me. I also used a little antibacterial soap when in the shower, but only few days, as to not dry it out. I know surface piercing have a higher chance or rejection or migration, but 2 months on it still seems safe.
I haven't changed over to a ring, because I like the look of a barbell, its not too intrusive, and my son doesn't always notice it (although he has started to play with it when I am giving him a bottle, glad it's fully healed now)
This piercing has given me little bother. As long as you know what you are doing regarding the aftercare, few problems should arise. I wish you the best of luck if you are considering this piercing, and hope all goes well.