From the age of 11, I have always been interested in piercings. I did tons of research for years on facial piercings, and finally decided in 2003 when I was 13, that I wanted to get my lip pierced.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Jorian Trowebridge Studio Metamorphosis Tattoo Emporium At first I had wanted a side labret, but after getting to know my friend's older sister, I began to really admire her center labret. I decided to pitch the idea to my mother, already knowing she'd disapprove. She said the piercing was ugly and that I would have to wait until I was 18. I pretty much gave up then and there, but I really wanted the piercing. So for months I begged and pleaded, explained the procedure to her and showed her pictures. She finally caved in, I was allowed to get it done when I was 14... for Christmas.
Christmas came and went, and I still didn't have my lip pierced. But finally on New Years Eve 2004, I was on my way to Metamorphosis Tattoo Emporium. We pulled up in front of the shop, and up until that point I had been calm, but now I was getting really nervous. We got out and walked in, there were a few people much older than me hanging out and looking at tattoo portfolios and one guy choosing some jewelry. I was really intimidated! Here I was, this 14 year old girl with no piercings surrounded by much older people with metal all over their faces! My mom took me up to the counter and we introduced ourselves to the piercer, he asked me how he could help me and I told him I wanted my lip pierced. Jorian had me pick out what kind of jewelry I wanted. And I decided on a silver 14g CBR with a black ball. My mom had to fill out some paper work because I was a minor, while she did that Jorian took me around the counter and sat me in the piercing chair.
At this point in time, I was shaking like a leaf. My adrenaline was pumping and my palms were sweating profusely. Jorian washed up and set up a tray with all the piercing materials needed, I think it was obvious to him that I was really scared so he started talking to me, trying to get my mind off of the piercing. But that didn't help much, I was still nervous as hell. He had me put my head back and started cleaning my lip. He then proceeded to mark it and asked me if I liked the placement. Of course, me being a perfectionist, I had him move it up a bit more so that it was maybe 2cm below my bottom lip. I was set and ready to go! I took a few deep breaths while Jorian put the clamps on. He grabbed the needle and told me to hold my breath and to release it on the count of 3.
1...2...BAM! The needle was through! That was it!? I barely felt it! I couldn't believe how nervous I had been. Jorian put the ring in for me and cleaned my lip up. I was so excited and happy I started to jump out of the chair, but he held me back down, and told me to sit and relax for a minute. But all I wanted to do was to look in the mirror and show my mom! He handed me a mirror, I LOVED it! It looked so perfect, and to my surprise my mom really liked it too. I sat there for a bit and admired my new piercing for a few minutes, and when I was calmed down I stood up and walked over to the counter.
Jorian cleaned up and then got me a copy of aftercare instructions. He told me what to clean my new piercing with and how often. My mom paid him and I thanked him and left. Afterall, it was New Years Eve and I was late to my friend's party. When I got there all of my friends were so surprised, they loved it! I partied all night and didn't exactly heed the piercer's advice about not smoking and cleaning the piercing after I ate. And when I woke up in the morning my lip was swollen. But after I cleaned it, soaked it in sea salt and put some ice on it, it was fine and the swelling went down. I haven't had a problem with it since. It healed relatively fast, in just a few weeks and by then my lip ring had become a part of me.
3 years later I'm 17, I've had multiple piercings since, a side labret, a monroe, a vertical labret, and my ears stretched to 00g. I took all of my piercings out, but kept my center labret and my ears. I highly recommend this piercing to anyone who is contemplating getting it. It is by far the easiest and least painful piercing I've ever had.
Good luck with your piercings!