After itching for years to get a monroe, I finally decided on doing it. I did my own research here on BME, looking at the photos and reading the experiences from people's personal accounts, as you are doing right now. I'm writing this in hopes to be able to help someone who might be curious and truly using these as a basis on deciding whether or not to get one themselves.
At A Glance Author Candy Contact Candy@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Avi Studio Urban Body Location Davis, CA I always saw the Monroe as the most subtle of facial/body piercings. Its subtle and very feminine with just a hint of that classical "beauty mark"/"model" feel. After much thought, I decided to go for it but worried that my full lips would be more difficult pierce, therefore making my experience a little longer and possibly more painful. I had read through other entries where people stated that it didn't hurt. "Yea, right, I'm sure it was THAT easy." I'd say to myself. But after reading countless entries stating that, I began to believe it.
I found a local parlor in here in Davis called Urban Body. They're located out in the edge of downtown Davis and you wouldn't even know it was there unless someone told you. It's a very small and subtle tattoo shop that has a very soft and comfortable atmosphere. Not what I expected, but I was more than happy when I stepped in to see how nice and clean it was.
I was immediately greeted my a gentleman playing on a computer while I walked up to the register. When I got there, I was greeted by Avi who would be my piercer. He was very nice and calm about everything and showed me the large array of jewelry in the case. They had just about every color. I was shocked by how small the stud actually was. After picking my stud and filling out paperwork, he asked if I was nervous. I said I was and told him to clamp really really hard and do it really really fast because I had thick lips. He just smiled and kept telling me not to worry and that he'd do it as quickly as possible. He assured me that it wouldn't bother me.
Unlike the other experiences I've read, I did not rinse my mouth out. Avi was very patient as I took forever to decide whether or not the spot he placed on my upper lip was ok. I looked at my boyfriend, he shrugged, and I told the piercer to just go ahead. I put all my faith in him.
I looked over and was even more surprised at how thin the needle was. He stated that it was a 16g. He took awhile which made my anticipation and nervousness shoot sky high, but his calm manner made me at ease with the whole situation. He clamped my lip, I took a deep breath, grabbed my boyfriend's hand, and breathed out as the needle went through. Surprisingly enough, it didn't hurt at all! Just as everyone had stated. When he asked how I was doing, I just kept repeating at how I was shocked that it didn't hurt. I sat for awhile as he went and got my jewelry ready, and he put the bar in very quickly, but took a long time putting the ball on because he kept dropping it. (the ball was too small to really grip onto) He then proceeded to clean the piercing and explain how to take care of it. He then gave me a card and told me that if I had any problems I could call or stop by and they were open every day until 9. He then took a picture of the piercing and I left very satisfied w ith my experience. $51 with the solution and he tip. Not bad at all!
When I got home, it began to swell so I'm icing it as of right now. I noticed that he pierced it at an angle so the jewel doesn't line up correctly. This is kind of annoying in the sense that you don't see the jewel straight on. Hopefully in time I'll find a jewel that doesn't have the silver so its not obvious that its crooked. Other than that, I'm satisfied. It doesn't rub against my teeth and I can barely feel it hit my gums. Its not as nice as I'd hoped it would be, but it still nice and subtle. I'm not worried because it doesn't look bad at all. But, still not what I expected. So if anyone is skeptical in getting a Monroe because of the pain, I'd say, don't worry about it. If its something you truly want then go for it. Even with thick lips I felt no pain so worry not as this will not be something you'll regret.
If you're in the Davis area, Urban Body has a very nice staff. You'll be more than comfortable making a visit to their parlor. They also have two large cases of jewelry for you to choose from (not for monroes, but everything in general). Just because I had such a good experience, I would suggest that you ask for Avi because of how nice he was. Although fairly pierced, he has a very soft tone and isn't intimidating at all. (I've seen some pretty scary looking piercers and tattoo artists). Hope I helped!