Just a month ago my roommate and I were sitting talking over dinner about the piercings we wanted but were too afraid to get. The first one out of my mouth was a VCH, and I just got it done.
At A Glance Author Moni Contact Moni@bme.anon When It just happened Artist JLo Studio Slave to the Needle Location Seattle, Wa It all started on Sunday (today is tuesday). It was a gorgeous day outside, so my friend Amber and I went and wandered around Ballard. We walked by Slave to the Needle and I decided to get my anatomy checked for the piercing. I walked in and was greeted by the super friendly counter person and explained to her what I wanted. The piercer David popped his head up from around the corner and introduced himself. He had to finish something up quickly, so Amber and I wandered around the gallery. I love the studio because there's an entire gallery inside dedicated to artwork by local artists and a huge selection of jewelry. David checked me, and he was wonderful. I'm usually modest and slightly shy, but I had no problem pulling my pants down in front of him, he was very professional. Amber decided after a sushi lunch go get her septum done by David (another story and he was excellent!) I left the studio knowing that I wanted one, and I was going to get one. I wanted to do it on a day where I didn't have work the next day so I could recuperate.
The next night on a spur of the moment decision after school, my roommate and I head to the studio to get her rook pierced. David did the piercing, and it turned out wonderful. Again, I chickened out because I kept using the work excuse, I wasn't wearing a skirt (made it so much easier), etc...
So today my friend Brent and I were hanging out talking about when I was going to get it done. We decided it was now or never. We drove over too Slave to the Needle, and I was slightly bummed to find out that David wasn't there that night, but JLo was. JLo came to me highly recommended by David in case he wasn't there. I filled out the proper forms, they grabbed my ID, and we all ventured out for a cigarette. Me and JLo talked about size (we decided on a 12 gague because they're more comfortable when healed he was explaining to me), talked about the piercing process, healing, cleaning, and my possible ear project I'm undertaking later this year. We headed into the room, and was immaculate like normal. The piercing room has a really cool painting of a serene beach on the wall, which was extremely calming. JLo cleaned the tray, placed paper towel down, and proceeded to put everything down still in their sterile packaging, changing his gloves religiously. It was now or never.
He had me sit on the edge of the chair thingy with my feet on his knees. I started sucking on a tootsie roll pop to keep my mind off it. He cleaned me, marked me, and explained everything he was doing. When the time came, he told me there would be a pinch of him lining up the needle, and when I was ready take a big breath. I decided it was time, and took a big breath and grabbed my roommates hand. I felt it go in. *ouch* pause and I thought it was over...another breath...*ouch*...pause...another breath...*pause* I did it!! It hurt, but right afterwards I couldn't even feel it. Jewelry went in which was just a pinch, and I was done! JLo laughed saying that I had an extremely thick hood and that's why it took so long to pierce it. It's amazing the information you find out about yourself inside a piercing studio. My tootsie roll pop by this point was just the mashed up stick. I was so proud of myself. I took a look at it and I fell in love. My cleaning regime is super easy. He told me to use LITHA (Leave it the Hell Alone), unless it felt tight, stung, burned, etc... then sea salt soak it (they provided the salts). I paid, tipped, inquired about tattoo's, and left.
For any female thinking about getting it done, do it!! Pain is only temporary, and the results are amazing. I can't even feel it now and it's only been an hour and a half. If you're in the Seattle area, go to JLo or David at Slave to the Needle. Both of them are wonderful. I went to their Ballard location, although I've heard wonderful things about their Freemont location as well. Everyone at the studio is really friendly, and they'll answer any of your questions, even if you're not looking to get pierced that day. I'm so glad I got it done.