So, I've wanted my lip pierced since...last year. I decided to wait on the lip & go for a nose piercing. I found a place called 360 Blues & Tattoos & thought I'd try it. I walked into 360 with my mom [since I was only 15] & stood at the front counter waiting for someone to help us. I didn't see any piercing rooms, just tattoo spots. A guy asked us what we were looking for & we told him the piercing part. He led us to another room to the right & we found a woman watching t.v. She had her nose pierced so I figured she would understand how I felt. She walked up to me, smiled, & introduced herself as J. She asked me what I wanted pierced & whether I wanted a ring or stud. Long story short, the nose piercing was a little painful. Although J was very nice, kept me calm, & talked me thru the whole thing. I almost passed out thinking I was big enough to stand up right after it was done. I got my head on straight & walked away with a cute diamond stud. I got it in March of 06 & since then it has been great.
At A Glance Author Laine Contact Laine@bme.anon When It just happened Artist J Studio 360 Blues & Tattoos Location Arlington, Texas Even with a nose stud I still wanted my lip ring. I saved up enough money [the majority of that money from my grandparents who absolutely hate facial piercings] & finally went two days after Christmas. My best friend had decided she was coming along to hold my hand, figuring it would hurt more than my nose piercing. I had talked to my boyfriend about getting my lip pierced & he said to go for it. That it didn't hurt & he would love it. He had pierced his lip before & had a friend who did piercings so I figured I could trust him about the info I wanted to know about lip piercings. Since I felt comfortable around J & had no problems with my nose, I decided to go back to 360. Even with my mom, my best friend, & my boyfriend's support [though he didn't get to come with me] I was still scared. Again, she asked me what I wanted to pierce & where it would be. I filled out the info while J filled a small paper cup with mouthwash. She told me to swish & spit in the sink then sit in the chair. I watched her put on gloves & pull out a clean needle, clamps, a disinfecting brush, the ring going thru my lip, & some funky gel stuff; all new & still in their separate bags. She set up everything on a tray & tilted the chair upright & a little higher so I was eye level with her. She complimented me on my earrings & asked where I got them. She had done this the last time so I guess she just loves my earring style. She dabbed the disinfecting brush under the right side of my lip & made a mark. She asked me if it was where I wanted it. I wanted it more to the right so she marked again. I liked the spot so I put the mirror down & sat there, waiting to be poked. She took the clamp & clamped my lip. Most stories I had read on here, they said the clamp hurt. To me, it didn't hurt at all. She told me to close my eyes & breathe in thru my mouth & out thru my nose. On the second exhale she pierced my lip. It felt like a small pinch & that was it. She told me to keep my eyes closed & hold still. I could feel the needle resting against my upper lip & chin but still couldn't feel any pain. She pulled the needle out, put the ring in, then told me to hold still while she put the ball on. I also heard getting the ball put on hurt too but for me, none of this piercing process really hurt. Just a little tugging and pinching but no real pain. She told me to open my eyes & look in the mirror. Right away I fell in love with it. She smiled & told me not to touch it & went thru the cleaning rules, along with when I could change the ring to a more snug size. I got down right after looking at it, not thinking of my experience last time. I didn't feel dizzy or anything. I felt fine. My mom made me sit down anyway. My best friend sat beside me, amazed at how I didn't cry, scream, faint, etc. After sitting for a minute I got up & thanked J, then we left.
Today is the day after my piercing. I have to admit it is hard to eat & harder to drink without a straw. It's a little sore but not at all an "oh my god, please kill me" pain. I took some ibuprofen & put an ice bag on it for a few minutes every few hours. At first it bothers you cause, well there's a ring in your lip. But now, I can barely feel it. I can't help but play with it with my tongue. I think this is ok as long as you don't touch it with your hands.
My grandparents still haven't seen it. But hey, they will have to get over it. My brother didn't do anything, just looked at me & said "Whatever." My mom loves it. My boyfriend is now re-piercing his right side, so we have something exactly alike.
To anyone who is thinking about getting a lip ring, I say go for it. I couldn't see myself without one now. Anyone who lives around Arlington, I suggest going to 360. Very nice people there & reasonable pricing. =]]