The inspiration for my lip piercing sprang out of the breakup of a long term relationship. I had always admired lip piercings from afar, but had never actually considered getting one for myself. When I would point them out to my ex boyfriend, the usual response was, "That looks so stupid," or "How ridiculous." So, when I was through with him, I decided I needed to perk up my image. Enter spring break.
At A Glance Author Beetle Contact brighteyesblue26@aol.com When Three months ago Artist Sean Studio Black Cat Tattoo and Piercing Location Madison WI I was in Madison, visiting friends, when I suddenly realized I seriously needed that lip ring. This was about 2 PM on a rainy Saturday afternoon. At 2:15, I was walking down University Ave., looking for a piercing studio. Black Cat was the first one I stumbled upon. Luckily, the studio was immaculate and I decided this was the place. There were three girls waiting for navel piercings, so I had a little wait. My friend Dana had come along to keep me company. We sat on the futons out front and flipped through the religious tattoos while we waited. I'm pretty sure she thought I was going to chicken out, but I was dead set on this piercing.
After the sorority chicks cleared out, I went to the front counter and picked out my ring. Very simple stainless steel, with a black captive bead. I was expecting the piercing to cost at least $50, but it ended up only being $35. After signing my name and promising not to sue, I was led into a room in the back. I've heard that most places won't let you have friends come in the rom with you, but I was asked several times if I wanted my friend to accompany me. I knew that Dana would just get freaked out, so I declined.
My piercer, Sean, handed me a cup of Listerine to swish while he went over all the aftercare procedures. After I spit, he marked the far left side of my lower lip. At this point, I wasn't nervous at all. I was so excited to see that little ring in my lip. He applied some topical anesthetic and clamped my lip. And removed the clamp. And marked my lip again. And re-clamped it. Sean was an absolute perfectionist, which really made me feel good.
Everyone asks me, "Did it hurt? I could never do that because I'm too scared of the needles." Seriously, it wasn't scary at all. Sean was all ready to plunge that needle through my lip. That was when I asked him to stop for a moment. I mean, what is the fun of getting a piercing if you can't actually see the needle penetrating your skin??? He wouldn't let me watch while he was piercing me, but he did let me look while the needle was in my lip. Wow. So awesome.
Sean put the ring in my lip and told me to sit back. I wasn't bleeding at all and my lip was barely swollen. After about a minute, when it became apparent I wasn't going to pass out from shock, he let me go. Approximately one hour from my moment of inspiration, I had a lip ring.
I didn't buy any piercing care products from the studio. I thought, I'll just pick some up at the Walgreens down the street. Not such a good idea. Instead of going the sea salt route, I bought some antibacterial soap and mouthwash. I figured I could keep it clean enough and it was fine for a few days.
One morning, about a week after I had gotten my new piercing, I woke up and there was a gigantic lump encompassing my piercing on the inside of my mouth. Serious pus and considerable pain. I was determined to solve this little problem by myself, so I went to the grocery store and bought sea salts. I also stopped by a local piercing studio and bought antiseptic mouth spray. The sea salts really fixed the problem. They drew out all of the infection and by soaking my piercing 2x a day for the next 8 weeks, it remained infection free. After 3 months, it's all healed, no discharge.
I can't wear the ring when I'm at work, so I bought a labret retainer. Even though my piercing seems to be healed, the skin has a tendency to close up rather quickly. The longest I've ever had the ring out was 2 hours, and that was pushing it.
I can't imagine not having this piercing. It has totally become a part of me. I have received so many positive comments about it. When I came home from my college, both my parents really liked it. It even helped my sister work up enough nerve to get a piercing she had been thinking about. Ladies, take note: this piercing is so much cooler than my ex-boyfriend ever was. I'm so glad I did it.