At the age of 14, my group of friends and myself became interested in what we considered alternative culture and music etc. and there was absolutely nothing cooler than tattoos and non-traditional piercings. I already knew a guy who had a labret piercing, and I was instantly attracted to it. It didn't seem excessively painful or expensive, and wasn't too elaborate for me. It could be easily removed for school and didn't take too long to heal. It was perfect. I didn't want to wait until my school holidays to get it done, so I decided I'd have a go at it myself.
At A Glance Author corrosiveheart Contact corrosiveheart@bme.anon IAM corrosiveheart When Two years ago Artist Can't Remember Studio Blue Banana Location Newport, South Wales, UK I 'prepared' myself in my bathroom. I sucked on an ice lolly for 5 minutes until my lip was fairly numb. I took a sewing needle and slowly twisted it through my lip, it took about half an hour. The worst part was when I was almost through to the inside, the numbing effect of the ice lolly had totally worn off, it didn't bleed at all, but stung really bad. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself to anyone, especially if you don't know what you're doing. When it finally tore through the other side I faced the daunting task of fitting jewellery in it. I used one of the earrings I had my ear lobes pierced with, as it was thicker than any other piece of jewellery I owned. It fitted quite well, but wasn't long enough, but I kept it in and ate another ice lolly to numb the pain.
When I woke up the next morning it was particularly painful, but stung a little when I touched it. My parents didn't have a clue what I had done, so having ice lollies for breakfast to keep the swelling down for the week that followed made them rather suspicious. I was the envy of my friends, even though my piercing had closed up inside, and was slightly higher and further left than I wanted it. I wore my earring hanging out of the front for two weeks, then gave up.
The first week of my summer holidays, 2002 I went to Blue Banana, Newport, South Wales, UK. I booked myself in and the nerves set in, although I thought I had a good idea of what it would feel like, seen as I had 'already' had it done. I brought one of my friends for support, but she simply cried with laughter when I sat down on the bed. My face must have been a picture. My Mum had come with us to sign for me, and she looked about as sick as I felt! The room was pretty small but looked professional; it was white, clean and orderly. The piercer didn't approve of my first attempt but what could I say? I paid £15.00 (I don't know what that is in dollars - sorry) to have my lip pierced with a hoop. I've since heard from another piercer that having your lip pierced with a hoop is wrong because of the shape the 'hole' heals in. But it's never caused my any pain. The actual experience went well overall. I felt faint when I got up to leave, so I was told to sit down and c hill out for a few minutes. But I felt good. I felt accomplished. I felt eager to have something else pierced.
That night, when I got home, my lip had swelled up hugely. I found it slightly difficult to speak because of the hoop, but that didn't matter. My Dad ignored me for a week because such things look 'disgusting on young ladies'. But he's incredibly old fashioned. He still winces if I put jewellery in it infront of him. I was told it would take about 6 weeks to heal but it felt fine after 4, so I bought a smaller hoop and changed over. I still rinsed my mouth out with salt water in the morning and night and applied watered down tea tree oil to the outside. Since I've had it done it's only bled once. I feel great with it, and I'm hoping to get my bottom lip pierced on the opposite side and the middle very soon.
I think lip piercings are great for people who want something slightly different and new... and virtually pain-free! But I have to emphasize, you really shouldn't do it yourself if you don't know the exact procedure or what is involved. Like my D.I.Y experience you could end up with a scar you really don't want on your face for everyone to see, rather than a neat piercing!
But all in all, if it appeals, then just go get it done! If it's clean and performed by a professional you can't go wrong with something you love.