Getting my cheek pierced was quite probably one of the best things I have ever done! People had told me for ages that I should do it, but I was always quite nervous, and put it off to get other piercings.
At A Glance Author kimbersssss Contact SortYourFashOut@hotmail.com When A week ago Artist laura Studio temple tatu Location brighton, UK Early March, and a road trip to Brighton with Lauren and Kerry from work. I'd originally decided to get a smiley piercing, but after thinking about it, I remembered how much I really wanted my cheeks pierced. The only thing stopping me was that, even with my ton of piercings, I am a MASSIVE wimp.
All the way in Lauren's car we were all agonising over what piercings to get, talking about work, getting road rage and singing to N*E*R*D*.
Kerry decided on a labret, Lauren on her collarbones like our piercer Laura, and I was still being Miss Indecisive.
We walked around Brighton for a little while, got some pizza and slowly headed down to Temple Tatu. When we got there, Lauren caught up with some friends, whilst Kerry and I sat down and read through some magazines and tried to decide on what I could get pierced.
Laura got back from getting some food, and then after a few minutes talk we all went downstairs to her piercing room.
Lauren got pierced first, and Laura did an excellent job of marking and piercing and her collarbones look absoloutely adorable.
Then it was my turn.
I'd finally settled on cheeks. Laura began to mark me up, taking great care of the placement, and to not mark over my saliva glands, as we didn't think leaky cheeks is attractive. After checking in the mirror, it was time to pierce!
She changed her gloves umpteen times and made sure everything was kept clean and tidy, all the way through our time there.
Laura showed me all the needles and the 20mm barbells that she was going to put in me, and then clamped my face and had me breathe deeply for a few seconds. I had Lauren sit next to me and hold my hand too.
The feeling of getting my cheek pierced was really really odd. It didn't hurt as such, it was just a very odd sensation. Immediately after the jewelry was in, I began to bleed on the outside, and when I looked in the mirror I cracked a smile and began to laugh.
It's strange smiling and laughing with 20mm of titanium in your mouth! After the bleeding had stopped, Laura asked if I wanted to go ahead with the other side, and I decided not to because I didn't want to bleed anymore, and my face was beginning to ache by then.
I'm glad I only had my left cheek pierced that day, otherwise eating would be very hard!
I sat down with a cup of water, and Laura cleaned up, changed gloves and got Kerry up on the bed. Kerry's piercing took no time at all compared to Lauren and I, We spent three hours in the shop all together!!
After paying and saying goodbye, Kerry and I went to buy some chocolate while Lauren said her goodbyes. I bought some homeopathic Arnica capsules to help with the bruising on Laura's advice.
We strolled around Brighton for a little longer, and I was loving smiling with my sparkley new face metal.
The day after the piercing was uncomfortable, the swelling was quite bad, but my jewelry was long enough to accommodate that, and after chewing ice and taking Ibuprofen, it was fine.
Aftercare is pretty simple, rinsing after everything I eat/smoke/drink, and doing sea salt rinsed twice a day. I found a really good way of soaking the outside, as we don't have shot glasses at my house to fill with saline soloution, I just use a regular glass tumbler and tilt my head way to the right.
I can't wait for our next Brighton trip, I will most definately be getting my right cheek pierced. I cannot bear being unsymmetrical!
I think Laura is by far one of the best piercers I have ever encountered, she made me feel very relaxed and calm, even though I was originally very scared of having my cheek pierced. If you are ever around Brighton, head to Temple Tatu and check it out, everybody there is really friendly!
I've had loads of compliments from the gang at work, and even my mum likes it! My dad isn't going to be too impressed, as he doesn't really like any of my piercings, but never mind.
I am very pleased that I went through with it, and also that i only had one side pierced.
I'd definately say, if you are thinking of cheek piercings, then do it, but make sure the jewelry is long enough to account for swelling and stuff, and the balls on the inside of my mouth don't get in the way at all, I am back eating normally and I only got pierced 3 days ago!
xo