Ever since I turned 15 I've wanted to get something pierced. At first it was my belly button, then it was my tongue, then labret. But my parents would always tell me that I had to wait until I was old enough to go by myself. So, when I finally turned 18, I was having trouble deciding between my nose and madonna. I had asked one of my friends to come with me so we could both get something pierced at the same time. She wanted to get her nose done and I told her I would decide when we got there.
At A Glance Author Amanda Contact darkdiamond3@hotmail.com When A week ago Artist Mike Studio Art Bomb Location Canton, Ohio After we finally found the place and went in, I had decided to get a madonna. So we filled out some paperwork and payed and waited for our turns. We were both extremely nervous because neither one of us had ever had anything other than our ears pierced. Then our piercer, Mike, came out and told us that he would pierce my friend first. I couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. But regardless, we followed Mike into the room and he had my friend sit down. I didn't want to watch because I knew I would get freaked out. After he was done with her it looked so cute that I was having second thoughts about my decision. So I talked with Mike about it. And when I asked him which one would hurt more, he said that I shouldn't worry about pain, I should think about what I want more, because the pain will go away and I'll be left with a piercing that I didn't really want. He told me that pain should never be an issue. (yeah...okay..) But he did tell me that if it had to be an issu e, I should not get my nose pierced. So, I decided to stick with a madonna. (not just because of the pain thing) Anyway, now for the piercing part...
First, he had me rinse my mouth out with the most awful mouthwash in the world (which I later found out was Listerine, because I had to buy some for myself for the after care). But anyway, he then told me to sit down and he handed me a pair of gloves because I was going to have to hold my own lip up so he could pierce it from underneath. Then he asked me which side of my face I wanted it on. I told him my right and he marked a dot where he thought it would look good (he kept telling me to smile so it would also be in the right spot when I...well..smiled). After he made sure I was okay with it, he had me hold my lip out while he put the clamps on it. As they were dangling from my face I told him that I was scared and he told me that it would be okay. Then he told me that he would count to three and on count two I should breathe in as deeply as I could (apparently pain isn't as severe when you're inhaling), and breathe out on count three. I practiced the breathing thing and af ter I got it right he positioned the needle underneath my lip while I held it up. Then he pushed the needle through when he got to two. I've heard a lot of people say that they can't feel the needle go through, but I definitely did. The actual peircing didn't hurt as badly as I thought it would, but when he tried to put the jewelry in I moved my head back and that made things a little more difficult. But it was all okay in the end and I love my new piercing. My parents were a little freaked out at first because they both thought I had gone to get my nose pierced and I came back the spot just above the right side of my upper lip. But they're getting used to it and I really think they barely even notice it now, and it's only been a week.
My piercing is healing beautifully. There was no swelling, hardly any redness, no irritation. It's been great. As soon as I got home I put ice on it and my mom went to Wal-Mart to buy me Listerine (I have to rinse my mouth out after every time I eat something). If you're planning on having this done, I strongly recommend icing the area as soon as you can after you have it done. And keep icing it all day. I really think it saved me from any swelling I could have had. So, if you're thinking that you want a madonna, but are worried about severe pain or complications, as long as you take proper care of it afterword, everything should be great :)