I've wanted my lip pierced for I can't remember how long. There's been all sorts of reasons why I didn't get it done - the main one being that I'm a complete wuss and I hate needles. The responses towards it have been mixed too. My parents for example, told me I'd look ridiculous, while my boyfriend and most of my friends seemed to think I'd really suit it. I'd never know unless I got it done and motivated myself with the idea that I'd just regret it if I didn't go through with it.
At A Glance Author Emzi Contact Emzi@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Some big dude Studio Ace Tattoo Location Sunderland - England I'm writing this account basically because I just had it done and have been stuck in the house with revision...so in effect you're the first person to hear it. Feel special?
Anyhow I decided that I'd definitely like it done around a month ago but didn't make any effort to check out places, prices or anything because I was still just toying with the idea. Four days ago over pitchers of cocktails my friend Abz said if I went through with getting my lip pierced, she'd come with me and get her nose done too. I felt quite a bit better about that so decided that we may as well check out prices and things just incase.
The next afternoon we had a wander into town to look for places to compare prices. We had no idea where the best places were so settled on the place where she'd gotten her tattoo a few months previously. Prices weren't too bad - 14 pound for nose, 16 for lip. We went for lunch while we decided on it.
We went back to the tattoo place and Abz signed the forms and paid the guy. I still hadn't decided whether or not to go through with it, so she went first. We went around the back where we could see one guy getting a tattoo and he seemed to be writhing in pain. The place was relatively clean and everything was done using gloves and packaged syringes which was comforting.
My friend sat down on the bench and took deep breaths to calm down. She was marked up but she chose a little further down incase she wanted a ring in future. I watched as they stuck the hollow tubing up her nostril and saw the needle sticking out from the inside. It looked really painful; her eyes were watering, she'd went white and the look on her face wasn't entirely pleasant. Afterwards she seemed to be fine, but said that I'd had hurt a little more than she'd expected.
We went back around the front of the store while he explained the cleaning instructions and everything to her. I was still debating whether or not to get it done. Since Abz already had I'd be going back on the deal not to and I didn't want her to have gone through it all for nothing. Sitting on the bench around the back I was starting to change my mind though. The nerves were starting to kick in again.
The piercing guy told me that there would be less chance of infection with a labret so even though I really wanted a ring in straight away, I agreed to it. I got sprayed with a strange numbing disinfectant which I'm assuming was supposed to go on my lip, but mainly just numbed my tongue a little and tasted nasty. The lip was marked and clamped and he told me to breathe while he measured up and at this point I felt a sharp nip which I thought was the clamp, but was actually the needle going through. I glanced at the mirror and nearly closed my mouth at the sight of this long needle sticking out of my lip. In a matter of a couple of seconds the labret was put in and I was left with the horrible disinfectant and the feel of metal though my lip. The labret was poking out strangely from my lip and looked out of place. The piercer said it was to accommodate swelling which didn't seem to happen for another few hours when I was on the way back home. I was actually surprised by how little it did swell, you can barely notice it unless you stare closely. A dull ache set in a few hours later, but nothing incredibly painful. It's basically only eating food that takes some getting used to as the back of the labret gets caught on your teeth the first time..a really weird experience.
Sitting here now, about three days later I'm really glad I got it done. I don't think I would have if it wasn't for Abz. Her's is healing nicely by the way. I like the way it looks and feels in my mouth and kissing is a new and fun experience with it.
To anyone who is considering getting their lip pierced, but is put off by the needle/pain aspect, you should go for it. I barely felt it and like I said I'm a wuss. I was nervous for no reason. I have no infections or bleeding yet (unlike when I got my ears pierced) and I think it looks really good too. I'm jus waiting to get my ring put in in less than two weeks time now. Hopefully that will look even better, I'm searching for a Blackline ring on tuesday so wish me luck.
Thanks for reading and wasting some time with me!