Last week when I returned from a vacation, and found that my boyfriend had gotten a septum piercing and a frenum piercing. I decided then that I wanted to get my lips pierced (monroe, and 2 lower lip piercings), and that I wanted all three done that day (might as well get it out of the way). I used to have the left and right side of my bottom lip pierced, as well as a monroe and a nostril piercing. They had to be removed because I was hospitalized and there were tubes. By the time I got out, all the piercings had closed. I've always wanted them back, but was too lazy, or broke...
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A week ago Location Pelham, NH I went to a popular tattoo/piercing shop in Pelham, NH (where my boyfriend got a tattoo a year ago and wasn't satisfied). Due to the bad experience my boyfriend had with the tattoo, I shouldn't have even considered going there.
I told the owner of the shop what I wanted (and to his credit, he did advise me against doing all three at once, but my mind was set), he gave me a form to sign, then came back with my jewelry. He put it on the counter (yes the glass counter covered in handprints), but unfortunately I didn't even realize this happened until I already got the piercings.
Their piercings were done in a cramped tiny room where another person was being tattooed, and there were a bunch of kids just hanging out back there talking.
He told me he preferred to do lip piercings high up. I didn't really know what he meant, but the piercings were right ON my lip line. That is NOT what I want at all! That night I realized the left lower lip piercing is messed up. i examined it in the mirror, and realized the hoop came up too high in the back. In fact it was practically visible from the outside. I called him. He told me to remove it with pliers, and that he would fix it for free when it heals. I removed it and was planning to go back. But today I realized I should just take the other one out too (it is very swollen, it feels like there is a large, hard ball inside my lip, and greenish yellow pus is coming out of it, and I just don't like the placement of it) and get it done elsewhere. I really dislike how it looks, in fact I try to hide it when I am near people. I tried to take it out today with needle nose pliers, but The area around the piercing hurt too much, so now I will have to pay someone to remove it the right way. Not with needle nose pliers! I went to him because the price was cheaper than any other places, but in the long run, it will cost me a whole lot of money to just have these piercings done right! Also, I guess there is a reason why these piercings cost less than piercings at other places. I hope that will be a lesson to anyone reading this. It might seem like a great deal if you can find a place that costs less than average, but in the long run, it can cost you a lot of money, pain and annoyance.
In his defense, the monroe piercing is fine. I love that piercing. And he is a very nice guy, but I won't be returning to him for a piercing OR tattoo.
The scariest part of all of this:
When I had these piercings 4 years ago, I was an IV heroin user. The only one I had done professionally was the monroe piercing. The nose piercing I did myself (my boyfriend at that time had piercing needles), and I did the two lower lip piercings myself. For these piercings, I used a dirty needle that I had used to inject drugs with, put some hoop earrings in, and did the absolute bare minimum when it came to cleaning these. The piercings were even, I had no severe swelling or discomfort, and they actually looked pretty good.
The reason why the above is so scary:
I did a better job piercing myself with subpar equipment, and while totally wasted on heroin than a professional did with correct equipment (And sober, I hope and presume!)
I'm tempted to just do it myself again to save money, but I think I have learned my lesson from this crappy experience. I will shell out the money to have it done correctly in a sterile environment, with sterile equipment.
I am really upset about this experience. I am disappointed, depressed, discouraged, and this has left a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to facial piercings. If I was a first timer, I would probably NEVER get a piercing again in my life! Fortunately I am not, And I have learned my lesson.
And I hope that someone out there will learn two things from my bad experience. These two things are: DO NOT pierce yourself, especially with incorrect, unsterile equipment. While I didn't experience any problems with it, I should have. The second thing: I can not repeat this enough, don't be cheap. You have to live with the piercing you get, and don't you want a piercing of the high quality that you DESERVE?
Good luck and happy piercing!