I happened to be on the North Side today, which is where my piercing studio is located, and I decided to stop in. In all honesty, my intentions were really just to get some new discs put on my sternum surface bar that I acquired about two months ago. However, as I got closer and closer to the studio, I thought that today would finally be the day for my off-centre lip piercing, something I have wanted for about three months. As I was considering this, it was a little bit strange because I was not nearly as nervous as I usually am when getting a piercing. Once I began to talk to the piercer, John, about my healing sternum piercing and the possibility of the lip piercing, I became more and more relaxed. So I said "Let's do it", and he went to start getting everything ready.
At A Glance Author Mysreyah Contact Mysreyah@bme.anon IAM Mysreyah When It just happened Studio the Alley Location Chicago I had a lot of aftercare questions for him, having never had an oral piercing and being quite an afficiando of spicy food. I found the no-kissing part a bit strange, and honestly wonder how many people actually adhere to the six week policy. But after having paid and asking lots of questions, (as well as signing all the necessary forms) I was just about ready. I entered into the studio and John had already prepared everything. He cleaned off my lip with a swab of some sort of disinfectant, and also dried it with gauze. He put on his gloves, and marked my lip with a small wooden pick covered in ink. I wanted the jewelry to be placed just under the pink of the lip on the right side. The unfortunate thing was that I was unable to choose the jewelry I wanted since I am not allowed to have any piercings (including ears) at work. Therefore, I choose a clear post (forgot what it is made of) with an o-ring at the end of it. I really cannot wait until everything is healed so that I can put in a little diamond, which is what I really want.
My jewelry is twelve gauge, which is actually the largest gauge I have ever had. Even my surface bar is only fourteen gauge. Still, I was not at all nervous. John dried my lip again, and I laid down and prepared. I love the fact the the piercers at the Alley all pierce free-hand, as I do not think anyone enjoys being clamped. Anyway, I felt him line the needle up with the mark, and then I took my deep breath in, and was pierced on the exhale. I was absolutely shocked! I felt nothing, no pain whatsoever. A few seconds, and everything was finished.
It was actually a bit disappointing in the end. I love the amazing adrenaline rush that I get from piercings, and in all honesty I did not get one from this. It was just such a simple and streamlined process. I am assuming it may be because my last piercing was the punch and taper sternum, which took far longer, was more ritualistic, and was extremely painful. I laughed and told John that I was too hardcore for these little easy piercings now and I will be coming back for another surface bar on my wrist sometime in the near future. I suppose I will be making quite a few more trips to the Alley in the next month or so, since I will need to get a shorter post for this piercing, and will still need to change the disks on my surface bar.
The strange thing about the lip piercing is that it feels very strange inside. I think it will definitely take some getting used to. I have to adjust for talking, for eating, for the post backing and my teeth. With my other piercings, I can just leave them alone. But it is extremely difficult to leave this alone! For the past few hours, I have been playing with it with my tongue, feeling around for it, and such. It is a much much bigger distraction than any other piercing.
My biggest concern now is about visibility. It is still rather highly visible, which is awful. I hope that they will not say anything to me at work tomorrow! I am just going to wait anxiously until it is healed and I can wear the jewelry I want and use a less obvious style of retainer. I think then it will be very nice. My left nostril is also pierced and I like the diagonal line I have just somewhat drawn across my face. All in all, it may seem like a lip piercing would hurt, but biting your lip yourself is far more painful! This one will not bring on the intense adrenaline rush that you may be seeking.