When I was younger I never thought about getting a facial piercing. My parents openly shunned "that sort of thing" claiming "we aren't the kind of people who accept that."
At A Glance Author Elentari Contact Elentari@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Nick Studio Alley Cat Tattoos Location Harrisonburg, VA As I got older, I began to admire labrets. I was smitten. I had heard horror stories of gum recession and the like. So I began researching and was pointed in the direction on BME. I began poking around and came across vertical labrets. I thought it was even more beautiful than a horizontal labret.
I looked at all the pictures and read all of the experiences available...I honestly didn't think I would ever get it done. But I could dream.
I knew that I couldn't get it done while I was at home, so I waited till I was at school (college) and had enough money. Then I had to wait for my boyfriend to come and visit, not a chance I was going to go through with this alone.
My boyfriend came to visit for Valentines Day weekend. Spur of the moment we decided to go that Saturday. First, we called the piercing places in town to see if they even did the piercing. The first place seemed a bit shady so we went with the second.
Not being able to have a car on campus, we walked to Alley Cat Tattoos not far from campus at all. All the way there I wanted to turn around, I had butterflies in my stomach, and I just wanted to go back to my room. But my boyfriend kept insisting I go on, he knew how much I wanted to get it done. I was just letting my nerves get to me, it happens a lot.
So we get there and they check my ID, and I sign the usual forms. By this point I was shaking, I felt like I was going to cry. The piercer, Nick, came back and brought my boyfriend and I into a little room. It distinctly reminded me of a doctor's office, any other time that would make me feel uneasy, but I felt a bit better. Everything was very clean.
Everything happened very quickly. The piercer introduced himself, talked about the piercing for a little bit, the normal chit chat. Made me feel a bit more sure of myself. He even turned the needle over so I couldn't see it, bless his heart! Nick cleaned my lip and made the marks, a few times and I checked them in the mirror.
Soon as I sat back down he got out the clamps. Those weren't bad at all, just pressure. Then he stuck the needle on the bottom marking, I felt a prick, ok so it was more than a prick. I thought the needle was in already. Then he told me to take a deep breath, on the 3rd breath he pushed the needle in. The pain wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. But it was very uncomfortable; it almost felt like a grinding sensation.
As soon as the needle was in I was ok again. I almost shut my mouth though and I heard both my boyfriend and the piercer yelling at me to stop so I didn't stab my upper lip too. He put a cork on the needle and then put the barbell in. This wasn't as bad as the piercing, but it still hurt. The top bead was screwed on and I felt dizzy. I couldn't believe what I had done, it felt surreal. Nick told me to lie down and he started fanning me. Must have looked like I was going to faint. Just as the fanning begun, my boyfriend snapped the first picture. Nice timing huh?
After a few quick stories I got up to look in the mirror. I was instantly in love! It was even more beautiful that I thought it would be! I was absolutely giddy, I almost felt like skipping...I hope I didnt..I don't seem to remember. But I was happy! And that's the main point.
I didn't have any pain afterwards with it until about a week later. It started to get sore, it never really did swell. I had kept myself on a constant stream of ib profen as well as frequent sea salt soaks.
The only real problem I've had with it is my family coming to terms with me getting a facial piercing. They tease me about it, but that's their way of dealing with change.
I can't imagine looking in the mirror and seeing my face with out it now. Hopefully it will continue to heal well as it has been. I'm afraid of needles, and have a very low pain tolerance, for anything. If you touch my I bruise, and yes it hurts. Honestly the hole procedure wasn't that bad pain wise. If that's the only thing keeping you from getting pierced, you really shouldn't worry about it.