At A Glance
Author	aniorange
Contact	ani0range@wmconnect.com
IAM	aniorange
When	Two years ago
Artist	Jason, I think
Studio	23rd Street Body Piercing
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

I have been told, once I get an idea into my head, once I decide I want something, I go out and get it. Perhaps it is this part of my personality that fueled me to try one last time. I had my smiley pierced numerous times before. First time was in North Carolina by a very trusted piercer who had never done one before. Second time was in Oklahoma by a trusted shop. Third time was in Arkansas on my honeymoon. Every time I gave up on it for much the same reasons. It seemed to grow and heal crooked.

I still wanted this piercing badly. Slowly in the back of my mind I pondered my past experiences. I looked more closely at my teeth and mouth. I never had the benefit of braces. My two front teeth are not quite straight. That would certainly cause the piercing to slide off to one side. Not to mention when I pull my lip out, the webbing under there is not straight. I began to realize how much to odds had been against me all along.

After some time though my line of thought changed. I still wanted this piercing badly. I still loved the idea of having a smiley. I had loved it since the day I saw in on BME. I realized I had two choices. I could go on complaining about it with a head full of reasons why I could not get it done or I could just get it pierced one more time with the knowledge I have now. So what if it was not perfect, neither am I. I am doing it for me, not for what people think of me, or my smiley. My mind was made up rather easily. I wanted it bad enough I was going to have it.

I made an appointment to go back to 23rd Street Body Piercing in Oklahoma where I was still living. I almost forgot that I had been there once before to get my smiley pierced. I am honestly unsure who went with me for this experience. I believe I went alone. I told the ladies at the counter what I wanted, and waited a bit for the piercer. The piercer came to get me and took me back to the first room on the right. He had me lay down and lifted my lip to look at it. I do remember that this time went by fairly quickly and that no one else had to come in and help hold my lip up. The one thing that was quite different that any time before was the piercing itself. Every time before the actual pierce was nearly painless. I barely felt a thing. The needle went though as did the jewelry and it was over before it could start to ache. This time was a bit different. I was asked to take a few deep breaths and on the second one I felt him push the needle. I remember feeling a good tugging sensation on my lip. I could hear, for a split second, the piercer struggle to push the needle though. This time it hurt. Not terrible so, but enough to surprise me. After that however it did not take long at all to get the jewelry in.

As I was sitting up I made a remark to the piercer that I think he was the same one that pierced it last time I came in. He seemed at first not to remember. Actually he may not have remembered at all. I told him how many times it had been pierced. He Basically told me, "that explains a lot." That basically explains why it was tough to pierce and a bit more painful then before. My piercer asked me if I remember how to take care of it, I did. I tipped him and headed on my way.

Just as before healing went pretty well. The smiley sits right behind ones septum, at least on me it does. I mention that because my septum became a bit sore as did that area of my lip. That lasted about three days. I was sure to keep my smiley clean with bioteen. I rinsed at least after every mean, sometimes more. I did not want to overdo it.

I did notice sometimes when I smiled that it was not perfectly centered. Other times it was pretty close. What was most important was that I had it pierced again. One thing I had definitely learned is that I would regret it if I took it out again. I finally realized my smiley, just like me, was not perfect. I have accepted that now and I am so much happier.

The ring that was used was kind of small. It really was not visible even if I smiled. Part of what I liked about the smiley is showing it off when I smile. Later on after it healed I went back to pierce the other side of my lip to match the one I had already pierced. When I was there I asked for a slightly larger ring. They put that in without any trouble. I am even happier with this new ring. It is tucked away when I want it to be and showing off when I smile.

I still have the piercing to this day. I take a little extra time every now and then and clean it real well with my tooth brush. I at least brush over it a little every time I brush my teeth. It is the only piercing that I have not had the guts to try and take out myself. I count myself lucky. I am lucky that I have had so many chances to experience this piercing, and experience loosing it. I am lucky that I have learned just what it means to me.

This is the part where so many say, if you are thinking about getting one yourself... Well, if you are thinking about any body mod, do what feels right, within safety and reason of course. Just be smart about it, and make sure you have a professional involved.