Ok, as I'm sure most of you agree, scuzzy piercing shops are not exactly the finest places to get pierced. For this reason alone, most people think getting pierced at a vacation destination (especially in Jersey!) is a definite no-no. And for 99% of the places on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights...that thought should be completely upheld. I've been going to "the shore" since I was a baby and have seen many people in the 90's and eventually my generation getting some pretty nasty piercings in some pretty nasty places. The result...usually scars...or some horrible infection. Gross!
At A Glance Author Rachael (www.myspace.com/donniedarkosgf) Contact DonnieDarkosGF@gmail.com When A week ago Artist Stewie Studio Adrenaline Location Seaside Heights, New Jersey However, if you happen to stumble upon a place called "Adrenaline" at the very end of the Seaside Heights boardwalk (on the border of Ortley Beach) you can expect to be pleasantly surprised!
Besides doing piercings, they also have a tattoo shop and clothes shop attached (just in case you want more than some metal). The staff there is very friendly and had all the aftercare instructions and products ready for me to take with me (as opposed to those annoying places that send you out on a mission to find specific soaps and mouth rinses in your local pharmacy). Within minutes of me walking into the shop and signing all the appropriate forms, I was whisked away to the piercing room by my piercer Stewie. It was a pleasant relief when he said that I could have my best friend and mom in the room with me (the shop I go to back home only lets you have one person with you...). I guess I like an audience when I get my piercings done.
We chatted for a while and he was getting out the stuff when I go, "Could I get it done with a hoop instead?" He goes, "Oh, sure. It said 'stud' on here but we can do whatever you want." Now I'm afraid to push it but I then go, "Oh, could it be a 14 gauge too?" He says, "Sure." and is completely willing to do my piercing exactly as I wanted. Always a good quality to have in a piercer.
He gets everything all worked out with placement. Now this was sort of an ordeal because I have pretty big lips. But he didn't seem bothered at all that he had to go through a few rings to find one with the perfect fit for my lip (and that would compensate for the swelling). He had heard me talking before the piercing to my friend in the room about how I always hated the "inhale-exhale" and then pierce on the exhale thing. I don't really know why, but it was always the element of surprise (as it definitely was for my first few piercings) that sort of made me jump. I don't know how many times I nearly messed up a piercing because I got nervous about when the actual needle was going to go through. Anyway, Stewie actually listened to me and goes, "Ok, you ready?" and just did it that way. It may not be the method that works for everyone, but it's a lot better for me because I feel as though I'm controlling when the pain is going to come. But, oddly enough, it was one of the least painful piercings I've ever gotten (my tongue was the only one that hurt less). Plus, the enviroment was very clean which therefore made it very relaxing. Though, I can imagine, getting anything done and not having to worry about getting an infection is quite relaxing.
He sits me back up, lets me admire it a bit, and then proceeds to give me all the little things I should know about the aftercare and healing time. Since he had a labret piercing himself, he had more tips and tricks than the aftercare sheet had, all which ended up being a great help.
It was a wonderful experience and DEFINITELY NOT one of those creepy shops on the boardwalk that you should avoid. In fact, it was one of the CLEANEST places I've ever been pierced.
They were so nice there that my friend who was with me decided to get some cute 8 gauge tunnels for her ears before we left.
I've been using Satin soap and Biotene mouthwash on a regular basis to take care of my labret as it heals, and so far it's doing lovely. I also take a multivitamin, zinc supplement, chromium picolinate, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin c supplement, vitamin b-complex supplement, and vitamin e supplement, all which promote healing and prevent infection, etc. Most people probably don't need to go as extreme as that, but it's my usual thing so I kept it up. I haven't stopped smoking (which causes me to go through mouthwash quite fast), but so far it hasn't been irritated or bothered at all by it. Eating was a little awkward at first but I'm getting used to it more each day.
Overall it really wasn't sore, or painful, or anything like that. My lip was a little swollen for a few days but I sort of embraced it...it was like instant collagen!
It was an awesome experience and I give this place 5/5 stars. I'd get another piercing done there in a heartbeat!