Well, if you've read any of the many other stories on here, mine will probably not be that great of a shocker. But it is a somewhat cautionary tale, so take heed.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Five years ago Artist This was many years ago...I can't recall Studio In Denver Location Denver, CO My piercing was done closer to 8 years ago than 5, right around 1998. I had been thinking for years and years about getting a hood piercing, and one day I just decided that enough was enough, and why not today? That's really the best reason to do something, sometimes. So I went to a local tattoo/piercing parlor and hiked up my skirt and sat on the chair. Now, mind you that at the time, I didn't really do my homework as well as I ought to have done, and I probably would have opted for a vertical hood piercing, had I known that they are more functional than the horizontal. But all I knew about were the horizontal ones. So, when she asked me which I wanted, I opted for horizontal. If you are thinking about this piercing, talk to some people about their experiences first. Find out what they like/dislike about it before you get pierced. I personally like mine in many ways, but am curious as to how the other one would be.
The piercing itself hurt like a mother. I actually yelled, out loud and everything, and then I was faint and had cold sweats for about 10 minutes after. My advice: bring a friend and a juice box. Anyway, it hurt for several days, but not as badly as the moment the needle plunged into my flesh. In the days after, I could feel it when I walked, when I sat at my desk, and pretty much most of the time. It hurt but not in a bad way. It was neat, like having a little secret in my pants that was all mine. That's a fun feeling. I was really pleased to have actually gone through with it. I'd been thinking about it for so many years and it was sort of a rite of passage for me. I'd just broken up with someone and this was a neat thing to do for myself. I do wish I'd gone to a friendlier, more welcoming place. The studio I chose was sort of skanky, with the tattoo artists smoking cigarettes while they worked. I always kind of wondered just how much nicotine ended up in the wounds...So, kids, be sure you choose a nice clean, well-lit place to get your goodies poked.
But the trouble with my piercing all started about month or so later, mainly because I couldn't keep my hands off it. I kept messing with it, "messing" with it, moving the ring a lot, and cleaning it wayyy too often with antibacterial potions (turns out they dry a piercing out and should be used as instructed). So, I ended up with a big old infected abscess. Lucky for me, my doctor was piercing-friendly, and she advised I take the jewelry out. It might have been a bad reaction to the metal or something else (opt for the surgical stainless steel or the titanium - anything cheaper could really mess you up), and I went back to the piercer and she gave me a little bit of attitude about removing the ring (sometimes it is better to leave it in, but in this case, I think it wasn't). She took it out, but she made it clear to me that she was doing it under duress. So, I went home and, for the next week, did regular saline soaks with a shot glass (a neat trick, by the way), and it healed! I left the ring out.
Then, 5 years later I thought I would see if it was still pierced, and it was! I got a ring inserted and it's been in since. So, the moral of the story is to keep your hands out of your pants when you have a new piercing. Also, don't over-clean it. Don't move the ring around - it irritates the wound and impedes healing. Talk to your piercer and find out what his or her take on aftercare is. Don't be afraid to ask too many questions. I am able to enjoy my piercing now that it's healed, and it looks great and is really fun. I ordered some new jewelry, and can't wait to put it in. I will most likely start researching new places and find a good one here where I live now.
This time, I am thinking about getting a triangle done, but I'm going to shop around first. I've been doing my homework. Oh, and then my nipples. And my navel. And perhaps a few more tattoos just to balance it all out...One can never have too many!