Hmmm, Lets see...where to begin. I am a conservative mother of two and was just dying to get my hood pierced vertically. I came across BME just by accident. I was totally enthralled when I started reading other peoples experiences and seeing the pics. I just had to get it done.
At A Glance Author Hollyswhowho Contact Hollyswhowho@bme.anon Artist Joe Studio Royal Oak Tattoo and Exotic Body Piercing Location Royal Oak, Michigan I called a dozen different places and honestly the things I learned from reading other peoples posts here, I felt like an expert. Nothing prepared me for what I would find. It is extremely unfortunate that anyone with a needle can consider themselves a piercer. The first place I called told me the cost was $150 plus jewelry. The piercer was self taught and had done around 15 below the belt piercings. Lovely, I hung up. The second place I called told me the price would be $175...unbelievable, I told the woman thank you and before I hung up she dropped the price to $65. She did on average 1-2 genital piercings a month. She again was self taught and honestly she just rubbed me the wrong way. I called and called and finally I found Joe at Royal Oak Tattoo. He had done a full apprenticeship and welcomed me to come in and check out his portfolio. He went into depth about the procedure and pro's and con's. Joe answered all my questions and when I hung up I knew he was the one.
I went in a few days later. I was so freaking nervous but the place was warm, clean, and friendly. I met Joe in person (what a hottie!) and immediately felt at ease. I picked out my jewelry and completed the necessary paperwork. He took me back to the chair...similar to one you'd find in a dentist office. Thank God for that, I was expecting stir ups. He ran through the after care, answered all my questions. He told me he had someone apprenticing under him and asked if I would mind him watching. Well heck, what could I say....so there I was half naked, knee's knocking with two guys I have never seen inspecting my hood. After what seemed like forever Joe shook his head =( "Nope, can't do it...you haven't but a tiny hood." WHAT???!! Apprentice boy comes in for a closer look...I was in shock. So after all that, I wanted to cry. I couldn't believe it. There I sat feeling like an anatomically incorrect idiot. I am sure Joe could sense my disappointment and immediately told me that he could do my inner labia if I wanted to. Well damn if I was going to leave there unpierced! He went and got his portfolio back out, showed me what I was getting and away we went.
Joe marked the area, told me step by step what to expect and BAMMM! Just like that he was done. I won't lie to you, MY OF MY did it hurt, toe curling, eyes popping outta my head hurt but as soon as I felt it, it was done. I am not sure what was more uncomfortable, the forceps or the actual piercing. I still laugh when I think about Apprentice boy, he turned about 10 shades of white and was covering his eyes by the time Joe was done. I on the other hand was like WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!! How incredibly empowering it is to take control of your own body. I slide my pants back on enjoying the little sting and tipped my new best friend.
I couldn't wait to get home to show my husband....hell, if I had a loud speaker I woulda told the whole freaking world. It's been two days now and the day after I had it done it bled, and bled and bled which freaked me out but I called Joe and he told me to keep an eye on it and come back in if it got worse or didn't clear up. The aftercare sheet said to expect a little bleeding, this was far from a little but after I called I felt better. I absolutely love it....I am still sad that my little hood won't be the center of all the attention but hey, thats life.
Oh, I almost forgot, my friend went with me that day. She wimped in a big way but we went back this evening and she got her hood done. She let me in with her and I got to play apprentice this time. Needless to say when I saw her hood, there was no question that Joe made the right decision. BIG difference. She got a vertical, with a cute little curved barbell. I am jealous but thankful that I didn't go to some hack and end up with a bad piercing, that wasn't right for my body. I can't wait for it to heal so the fun can begin.
I am dying to get another piercing...maybe the other side. I wasn't planning on sending in my experience but I really appreciate all the useful information I learned. I just had to share.