So I'd been lusting after a lip piercing for over a year when I finally went away to (Reed!) college and got the opportunity to get pierced without my parents' knowledge. On the fine autumn day of September 2, 2001, a few of my also-craving-to-be-pierced dormies (Mac 3 represent, yo) and I headed over to a nearby piercing place. I was immediately impressed by how clean and spacious the studio was. Its pristine appearance made me feel a lot more at ease about the piercing process. We told the guy what piercings we wanted, showed ID, read papers, signed some stuff, etc., and then trooped into the piercing room like a bunch of little ducklings or something.
At A Glance Author wintercoat Contact quixoticwindmill@aol.com When Three months ago Artist Jason Studio 21st Century Tattoo & Body Piercing Location Portland OR Jason, the piercer, was a super cool guy with tattoos and piercings (including a *self-done!* labret) galore. He gave extensive aftercare information, even mentioning some things that I should do (like changing my pillowcase more often) that I hadn't even considered when I was thinking about getting pierced. It was very evident that he was extremely knowledgeable and experienced. His air of calm confidence made me feel completely comfortable with the idea of being pierced by him. Even his dorky attempt to make fun of my multicolored pants, although an obvious method to create a more relaxed atmosphere, was kind of nice.
After I hopped up on the piercing table and rinsed with some mouthwash, he showed me a few different jewelry options. I liked the smallest silver labret stud, so he set that aside and got out a fresh permanent marker. He then made three different marks on my chin to help determine exactly what placement I wanted. The second one was *exactly* what I'd had in mind, so he got rid of the other marks and brought out the big scary clamp thingy. He warned me that it would hurt (it didn't, it was just kind of uncomfortable) and stuck it on my lip.
I sat there for a few seconds and the cold clammy hand of fear gripped my heart. Did I really want to do this? How much would it hurt? Would I cry? Scream? Embarrass myself in front of my friends and my piercer? My heart raced and I briefly considered jumping off the table and running out of the piercing studio. Fortunately, before I could escape, Jason came at me with a needle and ordered me to take a deep breath. I braced myself for the worst and tried to breathe calmly, staring at the ceiling and anticipating bonecrushing pain. Then, before I knew it, the needle was through. Brilliant! A completely painless experience. There was a little tugging as he inserted the labret stud, but it was minor discomfort at most. And I was pierced! I was an official badass with metal in my face! Oh bliss.
I went out the next day and bought some Biotene, which I used religiously for the next month. I also refrained from drinking alcohol or smoking for that month (I'm serious, kids... a month. At college. Without alcohol. I know, it's incomprehensible). Happily, it healed extremely well. Eating was a bit of a chore for about three days after the piercing, but I managed to muddle my way through meals. Since the first week, there has been absolutely no pain involved except when I accidentally hit it really hard or catch it on my teeth. I've had a little scar tissue flare up now and then, but it's always calmed down within a week or so.
Although I initially intended to put a ring in the piercing after it healed, the stud has really grown on me and I'm not sure that I even want a ring anymore. I first changed the stud myself about two weeks ago (I got the stud downsized by Jason a month after the initial piercing; about three months passed between the piercing and my first attempt to change the stud), and it went super smoothly. I must say that I found changing it much easier than I ever found changing my earrings to be back when I had my lobes pierced. I must also say that I found the piercing in general to be far less painful than my earlobes. The only thing that still gives me a little trouble is eating apples, because the apple bumps against my piercing in an annoying/semi-painful way.
Overall, I'm completely satisfied with this piercing and I hope to keep it for a long time. (I have a dream of being an eighty-year-old grandma with a labret piercing...) I definitely recommend Jason and 21st Century for all of your piercing needs. And I double-definitely recommend getting your labret pierced. It's a beautiful piercing that has made my life more complete and fulfilling (seriously... well, kind of joking, but still kind of serious too). As far as my next piercing goes (this stuff is *so* addicting), I'm thinking about either rook or anti-tragus--definitely something with my ears, at any rate. Next on the agenda after that will probably be a tattoo... Body modifications forever. Peace out, and don't be afraid to e-mail me with any questions about labret piercings.