I've been a big fan of piercings for awhile. I think it started when I was 15 and my mom was having her midlife crisis and got her navel pierced. She really seemed to enjoy it, so the next day she took me to get mine done, despite the fact that I didn't even want it. After that I ended up getting five holes in each ear and my right eyebrow. After it tore at the Hootenanny this year however, I pierced the other side. The woman who pierced it the second time had the Monroe piercing and it looked absolutely gorgeous on her. I'd seen it before on other people, but I'd never really looked closely and I fell in love with it. I told her I'd see her eventually to get it done. And since the shop (Through Your Skin on Melrose) was so comfortable looking, I knew I'd go back there. It was decorated with pin-up postcards all over the ceiling and leopard print sofas. They even sold toys and candy, so it was over all, a very comfortable environment.
At A Glance Author Kristina Contact Kristina@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Christie Studio Through Your Skin Location Los Angeles, CA (Melrsoe Ave.) Well, I had meant to do it soon thereafter (In July), but I always seemed to have a cash problem or my boyfriend didn't want me to do it. So, since my eyebrow started to get irritated a few weeks ago, I have all this X-mas money, and my boyfriend is out of town for winter break, I decided to get it done! I took $70 to the place and hoped it would be enough. So I walked in feeling very nervous because I've never been good with pain in my mouth. I told the woman (Christie) that I wanted to get my Monroe done and I had to ask her about the pain factor (since I am a wuss sometimes). She said it would only be a slight pinch. I wasn't satisfied, but decided to do it anyway since I wanted it very badly. Pain wasn't even important anymore. She showed me the jewelry she would use, but I didn't want a plain silver bead on the end. So, I chose a diamond bead that I thought would be acceptable at my job and with my parents. I asked my friend to spot me the extra money to pay for it. Tot al it was about $80 but it was well worth it. So Christie put the jewelry in a sterile little cup with some kind of solution to disinfect it, and sent me to a little room with a sink to rinse out my mouth with Biotene mouthwash.
After I rinsed my mouth out about 4 times (I wasn't taking any chances) I went into the piercing room and sat on the doctor's type chair with my friend and waited while Christie spoke to another customer. When she came into the room she put on some sterile gloves and lifted my lip to see the gumline. Then she marked the spot where she thought would be good for the piercing (on m right side). She told me to look in the mirror and see if I liked it. I thought it was perfect so I told her to go ahead and do it. She had me lay down while she got all of her tools unwrapped from their sterile packaging. She then swabbed off my cheek and put the clamp on. The whole time she was telling me what she was doing so I wouldn't be too freaked out. When she got the clamp on, she then told me that she was lining up the needle and the mark, and told me to take a deep breath and she would pierce on my release. So I took a deep breath, released it and she pierced from the inside out. I hardly felt a thing! I thought it was going to be more painful after reading some of these stories, but really, it was barely anything. She then put the jewelry and the bead on and then secured it pretty tightly. She had me stand up and look at it, and it was so adorable! I really loved it! It was a little red around the edges, but overall it was very cute. Just what I'd wanted.
So, I got up and she gave me my instructions for cleaning it and made sure I knew to use Biotene mouthwash and Bactine for the outside. I was so pleased. I would have tipped her, but I already owed my friend money, so I couldn't, but I wish I could've. Anyway, the piercing is healing fine and it's only been four days. It's a little pinkish, but it's not getting in the way of eating, drinking, or speaking. If any of you want to get it done, put all fears aside and go for it. You will not be disappointed!!!!