I had wanted my lip pierced since as long as I can remember. I thought they looked so beautiful - and so unique. Every lip piercing is different - and there are so many possibilities!
At A Glance Author Emma Contact Emma@bme.anon IAM Fauxetta When Three months ago Artist Tim Studio Hairhouse Warehouse Location Adelaide, South Australia So, I asked my mum. Of course, with all of these stories, it was a flat out "Not while you're under my roof." Me being 14, I kind of expected that. But I kept asking and asking. One day, I decided to show her BME. I showed her pictures of what I wanted (Ring on the side) - and she said, "Ohhhh, I thought you wanted some big ugly ring!" Yes mum, that's what I meant.
Anyway, she promised to take me the next day. Hurrah! But I do have very lenient parents. I have 12 piercings overall including my lip. And I plan on many more!
So anyway, my friend Kara and my Mum drove an hour and a half to Hairhouse Warehouse - the place where I go for all my piercings, and where the very attractive duo Tim and Abe worked. I don't mind who works, but Abe is usually the most friendly - as I am a regular and we are basically friends. Unfortunately, Tim was working that day - but still a chance to perve (end of fan girl-ism). He greeted me with his delightful grin and asked me what I wanted. "LIPPP" I yelled - I could tell he knew I had been waiting for this. I waited outside as he set up - nerves kicking in a little. I know you all get those special "Piercing Nerves". After a long 2 minutes or so, he called me into the always-clean-smelling room – and Kara followed. As usual, I signed the familiar form. (It gets annoying after a while!)
My nerves were gone as soon as Tim started talking – he has this calming voice that makes getting piercings so relaxing – strangely enough. He asked me to swish my mouth with Listerine for 15 seconds as he prepared.
Me: Will this taste like crap?
Tim: Burning crap. It's delicious.
The Listerine was so strong, I dribbled a little. I felt very feminine. Anyway, I sat down on the bed/chair/thing which is always whipped over with cleaning stuff after piercings. He cleaned the outside, and marked a spot – I wanted it a little higher, but I have never asked him to change placement – I feel rude to even mention it! Although I kind of regret it now, I am happy with the placement never the less.
Tim: 16ga or 14ga?
Well, everything else of mine is 14ga...
Tim: I'll use a longer bar for the swelling, alright?
Uh oh. I felt rude asking, but I just had to.
Me: Could I possibly get a ring?
Tim: Well, it's generally better to get a bar as rings have a higher chance of nesting. You can change it to a ring in two weeks or so.
Although slightly disappointed, I was excited to be getting my lip pierced.
Anyway, he clamped me up, and said what he always says.
"This might be slightly uncomfortable – you can close your eyes if you like because there IS a big needle in front of your face..."
He lined the needle up – and I seriously felt nothing. Not even a small prick. It didn't even hurt getting the jewelry inserted. As I had the needle in my lip, Tim grinned and said, "If you close your mouth, you can breathe through the hole." That was a weird feeling, let me tell you. He threaded the bar through after a few photos from Kara (which didn't turn out – bummer!) and he was getting the ball prepared, I ran my tongue over the cold flat back. I actually just got my lip pierced. I couldn't help smiling! I paid, and after saying thank you a million times – we left.
On the way home, I got some hot chips from a chip shop. Let me tell you – a fresh piercing, a long bar and eating do not mix. I bit the bar countless times.
It's been about 4 weeks – and I now have a ring. Although the ball is disturbingly big, and this Saturday I am getting the ring changed to a nicer Horseshoe ring. Healing has been relatively fine – salt soaks are my best friend. I brush my teeth and swish with diluted Listerine every morning and night – and it seems to have worked for me. But a few nights after the ring was put in, I woke in the middle of the night to an intense pain whenever I laid on the side my lip piercing is on (left). It was horrible. But by morning, it was perfectly fine.
It is quite embarrassing when you have a huge wad of scab around the ring – let me tell you. I went to school, and nobody really noticed until they were face to face with me (But now with the ring, people always stare at it as I talk and ask the annoying questions: Does it hurt? How do you kiss? Etc etc...).
I do love the little "clink" sound as I take a drink from a glass or something – it makes me love the ring even more.
Although lately, a weird lump has formed under the hole. It's not that big, but it's freaking me out a little. Hopefully on Saturday, Tim will check it out. I hope it's nothing bad!
If you are thinking about getting this piercing, I say go for it. I love mine to pieces – and I always forget the ring is even there. It is quite irritating when people stare at it as I talk – but that's what you get I suppose. I love how different it makes me feel – although a bazillion people have this piercing. Oh well.
Happy piercing!