Let me start off by saying that I am the daughter of a very conservative father. He believes that more than one hole in each ear is too much. Of course, like most of us here, and probably you, I believe otherwise. When I was thirteen I begged for a navel piercing from my mother, and I got one. Without his consent. Unfortunately, that had to be taken out because it rejected. 4 times. That's another story. Since then I've had my rook and septum pierced. He doesn't know about the septum. Neither of them know about the soon to be retired tongue piercing that i've had for 1 year as of tomorrow.
At A Glance Author TheSlyVegan When It just happened Artist Dave Studio Big Joe and Sons Location Yonkers, NY What does this have to do with a monroe piercing, you ask? It will. Onto the monroe. Last winter I pierced my own monroe, but due to a lack of jewelery, or consent from either parent, I had to take it out. My mother promised me that when I turned 16 I could get it pierced. Fast forward a few months, to September. I bother her about it again. She says okay. Off we go to Big Joe and Sons, a piercer/tattoo in the area. We walk in, I feel a rush of cool air. Look around at the flash, thank myself that I didn't decide to go to someone to pierces underage on St.Mark's, NYC. The piercer asks me what I wanted, I say either a medusa or a monroe, because I'm unsure. He told me that he doesn't like doing medusas because there's more complications and they're harder to heal. I agree, I'll get the monroe. The placement looks better on my face anyway. He marks it, I check it. I check it again. He talked to me, calmed me down a little, and as my mother came into the piercing room because who doesn't need a hand to hold, I closed my eyes and anticipated the needle. He cleans it, re-marks it, and clamps it. I hear him changing gloves. He does the whole, "breathe and on three I'll pierce" thing. One....Two....Three. It was a sting almost, but mostly no pain. Just pressure from those damn clamps. He follows the needle through with my 16g labret stud and my mind is racing. Does it look good? I wish I could've had something other than plain metal... But, most of all, What will my father say? I sit up slowly and look at it. I'm in love. It's perfect. More perfect than perfect. He gives me the aftercare verbally, a card with his name on it, and an aftercare sheet. We pay our $60, tip, and leave.
I ask my mother if she still thinks it looks ugly. She says yes, but if I'm happy with it it's my face. My father, when he found out, was very hurt. I wouldn't have done it if I knew how it would have affected him. Think about that before you pierce. Is it worth it? Fortunately, I was able to talk to him about it last night and he and I have come to an understanding. He doesn't like it, but it's my face. Please, everyone. Think before you pierce. Your parents can say no for many a reason, and at least try to see it from their point of view. You may not realize it, but they usually have a good reason.
Don't get me wrong, I still adore my monroe, and I'm about to go clean it, but just remember, actions do have consequences. As for the aftercare, It's still swollen. It's only the second day though. I soak it and clean it with a q-tip or cotton ball. For the spray I'm using this stuff called Savlon. It works really well for me, it's a spray. Clorhexidine Gluconate. I do that twice a day, and also do sea salt soaks. Eating is tricky, I wouldn't try anything spicy or too big for a while. I opened my mouth too wide yesterday and it got caught under my tooth! It didn't hurt, but did alarm me. The swelling should probably go down soon. Everyone, please take my advice and think before you get a piercing. Piercings are wonderful and a good way to express yourself, but is a piercing really worth the trust of someone you love? Sure, everything worked out fine for me, but you might not be as lucky. Please be careful and go to a reputable piercer, even if it costs more. I could have gotten my monroe for $20 instead of $60 at a sketchy place that pierced underage, but I didn't, and I feel that is money well spent. I have had friends get infections and much more from piercers like that. Make sure it's what you really want, and save up your money. If your parents say no, there's probably a reason, so try to talk to them about it. Also, make sure you follow the aftercare! I'm so happy with my monroe, and I hope you'll be happy with your piercings too!