I'm not sure if I clicked the right box but here goes my story...
At A Glance Author Ariel Contact Ariel12504@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist This really cool Filipino man Studio Redemption Location Boca Ever since I was in ninth grade last year, I had wanted a belly ring. They always looked so cute on girls and it was a classy piercing. I was always told it would look good on me because I have naturally tan skin and a petite body type. However, my mom was totally against piercings other than ears. She normally lets me do what I want, but a body piercing was an absolute NO and there was no arguing with her on it. But I'm a stubborn girl so I made an attempt to do it behind her back. (Even though I know it's disrespectful of me).
I would always ask about my friends' experiences, what I should be looking out for in an unsafe studio, healing time, pain, etc. I wouldn't get it pierced without feeling very sure of myself. I took all things into consideration before I did it, from taking care of it, right down to when my mom found out.
I knew of a place that was freshly opening up, so I went there with my best friend during Spring Break in March in hopes that they wouldn't be to strict on I.D. I was afraid they would say no to me and I would feel embarrassed. I was also afraid that if they said yes, it wouldn't be safe.
When I got there, I was having second thoughts. I was really nervous, but I had wanted it for so long I couldn't change my mind. They did ask for I.D., but I told them I didn't have it. I'm sure he knew I wasn't of age even though I look older, but he just said, 'Forty dollars please' and that was it. I signed a waver and took a seat. My piercer ended up being the same race as me, we had the same birthday, and he was really cool. It made it a lot easier on me that he was talking to me and being friendly,
It was absolutely safe. The studio was amazingly clean, my piercer let me watch as he washed his hands, get the equipment ready, and all that with gloves on. He even showed me the unopened package that contained a simple bar bell belly ring.
The clamps hurt very much I'm not going to lie. Of all the advice I asked about my friends' experiences, no one told me it would hurt that much. I didn't watch, but I felt the pressure and it was a lot. I don't know if I bled or not, I didn't watch but it was the first time I understood the meaning of 'cold sweat.' It wasn't over quickly, it took a little bit for him to carefully screw in the ball and whatnot. I preferred he took his time anyway. Everyone was watching intently but it was chill.
Afterwards, my stomach didn't even look red. They took a picture of my piercing, without my face for their portfolio. Everyone there was really cool and I felt comfortable the whole time. The rest of the night I couldn't bend over because it was sore. I couldn't sleep on my stomach for a long time which is the way I'm used to sleeping.
It was Spring Break, so tanning my back was out of the question and so was getting sand in it. That was the only difficult part. Remembering to clean it wasn't hard at all.
I had to be careful when I was dancing and it did get hit and bumped around when I was a little drunk one night, so be careful with that. The soreness went away after about only a week. I refrained from touching it or showing to many people. I didn't want it to get irritated. I used Bactine and moved the ring around as I sprayed.
Also I took a friend's advice. I took a shot glass, filled it with salt and water, put it in the microwave for about 10 seconds, and poured it onto the piercing as I was in the shower.
It's been about two months since I've gotten it pierced. I've taken good care of it, and it's doing well. I'm very pleased with it and it hasn't given me problems at all. I love it. I've recently changed it to a simple dangley one, nothing showy and it's fine. It looks perfect on me and it doesn't hurt.
Now, I clean it still everyday when I get home from school, at night, and whenever I sweat like when I work out. I still keep from hitting it or anything like that.
I'm sure when she finds out she won't be too angry, especially if it's not infected at all. It's only a matter of time before she finds out, but I have no regrets.