Well, it's a been two weeks since I had my guiche piercing, so I'll try and pass on what I've learned so far...
At A Glance Author bearcub Contact bearcub@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Tails Studio Primal Piercing @ Ground Control, Cockburn Street Location Edinburgh, United Kingdom
As for the background; well, if you know me you'll know it, but if not, you might want to read the two experiences I've written about my PA, here and here. Consider this the third part of a genital trilogy...
Firstly, motivation... What made me get one? Well, I liked my PA very much; it's a good piercing to have - functional, as well as highly decorative... I was thinking of getting another genital piercing, having in the meantime had my right nipple done, as well as a rook and helix on my left ear. An apadravya wasn't really an option, as my PA is now at 7mm (slightly bigger than 2ga), and I wasn't prepared to either have the top hole pierced at a suitable gauge, or spend the time restretching my lower (existing) hole once the top hole had settled down. An ampallang? Definitely on the cards, and I think it will be my third and most likely my last genital piercing - I have, however, promised that to my partner - I'm getting it done at the same time she has her triangle done, so not an option right now.
I'd never really considered a guiche before. Well, let me rephrase that; I'd automatically rejected it on the grounds that I cycled a lot of the time, and I'd heard that a guiche is almost entirely incompatible with a life in the saddle - they tend to migrate rather messily.
Of course, things have a way of working themselves out, and my bicycle was duly stolen a month ago; the silver lining to that particular cloud being that I could actually think about a scrotal piercing, or a guiche.
A hafada wasn't something I felt too happy with - not to be too graphic, but I have a rather *cough* substantial scrotum, and I wasn't entirely sure that a hafada wouldn't chafe a bit much. A friend of mine on IAM had both hafadas and a guiche, and I thought I'd ask about the suitability - he told me that a guiche was a good thing to have, but that it was a bit of a bugger to heal properly, and that he found it a bit awkward for the first month or so.
Someone I'd said hello to on IAM wanted a hood piercing, but didn't know where to get one, as she lives in Dundee, the cosmic centre of all things banal and unexciting. I suggested Tails, my piercer here in Edinburgh (and one I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending). I offered to make a day of it, and suggested that she come over and we could go to the studio together (she was just the tiniest bit nervous). I joked that I'd get something done at the same time, if it would make it any easier.
You know how these things happen – something, or someone, plants a tiny little germ of an idea in your head, and it blossoms into quite an attractive prospect. Hee hee...
So, came the day. Met my friend off the train, accompanied by her partner, and we went to see Tails. Here isn't the place to describe her experience, but it's here, and well worth reading.
We talked about what size of piercing I wanted. I asked at what size he usually pierced a guiche, and he said 1.6mm(14ga) was the usual size, but that 2.6mm(10ga) was also possible, and was probably better for stability. We agreed on a CBR, and that I'd eventually need a 20-24mm internal diameter ring, but that he only had a 15mm one at the moment, but that he'd order one in for me and give it to me free.
"Right", said Tails, "Assume the position, bitch!..." I was relieved to see a smile on his face as he said this...
I asked what the best position was; whether it would be better to be on my hands and knees with my arse in the air, legs apart, or on my back with my knees drawn up to my chest. He said that it could be done either way, but the best position was if I got on my back on the bench and let one leg lie relatively straight and had the other lifted up and retracted by my hands – this would allow plenty of access but would also be comfortable – something, when you think about it, that's very important but something not a lot of people pay attention to.
"Right, time for my little beauties – I love these babies", said Tails, as he took out a rather alarmingly large needle and unsheathed it. My testicles retracted up into my abdomen in a spirit of self-preservation.
"Whit ah'll dae is jist gie ye a wee spray o' the ethyl, an that'll take the edge aff the needle goin' in". Cue a ten-second squirt of ethyl chloride to numb the area up a little.
"Ye ready?"
He was quite careful with placement, but didn't mark anything, or clamp anything, it was all done freehand. I trust him, and the placement came out beautifully. The needle went in without much in the way of pain, just a stab and a sliding, and a pop as the needle exited through the skin on the other side. For such a large gauge needle in such a sensitive area, I assumed it was going to hurt more – almost a disappointment.
The canulating sleeve was left in the piercing as the needle was withdrawn, and then the jewellery slotted into place. A little bit of tugging as the ball went into the CBR, and then that was it – a wad of tissue paper placed around it, and that was it!
Tails said I should look out for bleeding (he'd checked for veins beforehand) but that generally there were few problems with this type of piercing.
The piercing leaked quite a lot of serum (lymph) for the first week, and although this did settle down, the piercing did get rather red and tender, and continued to leak serum continuously (and does, to a certain extent, now). I changed the jewellery over to my original PA ring (2.4mm x 22mm CBR), and this helped settle it down.
Sitting down was quite awkward for the first week, until I got used to the sensation of having the ring there. It's a little uncomfortable at times, but nothing that can't be overcome.
I did remove the ring for a day, as I thought it could do with a break as it was getting quite red. I'd salt-soaked it religiously (although it takes quite a feat of contortion with a pint glass) and I applied lavender oil from time to time... I'm pleased to say that the ring went back in with very little trouble – it slipped in, and the piercing's all the better for the short break it had.
Oh, and a guiche is a very functional piercing...! Gentle tugging by my partner produced very many pleasurable noises, and it's rather nice to have it gently tongued... oh my... As ever, I won't go into any overly prurient detail here, but feel free to email me if you have any questions – I'd definitely recommend this piercing as long as you're prepared to look after it, and Tails, as ever, is a very competent piercer, so if you're ever in Edinburgh, it's the place to go.