Gather round now, boys and girls, because I'm about to entertain you with the story of my 11th and 13th piercings -- a pair of inner labia.
At A Glance Author gothic geisha Contact gothic geisha@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Syx Studio Sacred Heart Tattoo and Insamsara Body Piercing Location Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada I had been waiting to delve into the world of genital piercing for about a year, but had a small roadblock in my way -- age. (NOTE: Please, please wait until you are of age to get any sort of genital mods; any piercer willing to do "below the belt" work on a minor should most definitely be avoided.) While I waited for my eighteenth birthday to arrive, I began researching the piercing shops in Vancouver -- where I had recently moved to attend university. I dropped in at all the respected places, talked to modded people in stores and on the street to see where and whom they recommended, and researched on BME's QOD and experience archive. I decided to go with Sacred Heart as I had heard nothing but accolades about them, but still had the problem of picking a piercer amongst their staff. And, I was still unsure as to whether I would be able to get a genital piercing at all -- I am a serious horseback rider, and was a bit worried about how a piece of metal skewering my "happy bi ts" would affect me while in the saddle.
Some of my friends were planning a trip to the Kitsilano Sacred Heart (they have three shops), and wanted me to come for moral support. So, I figured that if I was tagging along, I might as well book a consultation and see what my anatomy would allow in the way of genital decorations. I knew I wanted a project of sorts, but was limited a bit in my choice of piercings due to riding. Outer labia were completely out, as tight clothing hinders healing and breeches are about as tight as they come; also, the long healing time would leave me off from riding too long for my liking. Fourchettes and Christinas are just too fragile to handle much abuse in the saddle, and I knew that my clitoris was much too small to be pierced. So, I began leaning to towards my inner lips. I have always liked the look of inner labia piercings, and the quick healing time made them especially appealing (I was timing my piercings just before winter break when I would be off riding for a month). I also had my heart secretly set on a triangle, though I knew the chances of me being anatomically suited to it were quite slim; if that didn't work out, I was going to go with a vertical hood.
When we arrived, I was told by the counter person that the piercer on that day wasn't able to check me out for the triangle; only Syx and Greta were capable of doing this technical piercing. Since I had heard Syx's name mentioned repeatedly on BME, I decided to go with him; also, Greta only works at the West End Sacred Heart, which is very far away from where I live. I have no qualms about being pierced by a male, so set up a consultation with Syx on the day of my birthday and then waited a few weeks.
The day of my consult finally arrived, and I went to the shop to meet Syx for the first time. As soon as we shook hands, I knew that I was going to be comfortable letting him pierce me; he has a very calming and charismatic personality (he's also really cute ^_~). I had worn a skirt and boots that day, so I would only have to remove my panties and therefore still feel moderately clothed. Honestly, I didn't feel particularly self-conscious or embarrassed about being half-naked in front of a stranger; in fact, I was more comfortable in the studio than at the doctor's office! A piercer should always make you feel relaxed and at ease, especially when the piercings are in such an intimate area. Syx let me choose which position I would like to be in for the consult and eventual piercing, which I appreciated; I elected to lie down on the padded table with one thigh resting against the wall and one foot resting on his chest (it's hard to describe, but it was very comfortable). Eve n for the consultation, Syx ensured everything was sterile; I was laying on a disposable drape, he changed his gloves constantly, and everything that touched my body came out of an autoclaved package. He quickly calmed my worries about genital piercings affecting my riding; he had done a vertical hood on a rider four days before a show, and she was completely fine. He thought the labia piercings would be no problem, and after a half hour of poking and prodding, decided that the triangle would be possible too. I was a bit surprised to hear that this would be his first triangle piercing, but I was confident in his abilities. I decided to only get one of the labia piercings initially, as I didn't feel justified spending so much money on myself just before Christmas. My one surprise during this appointment was that no one asked to see my identification; this was probably due to the fact that I had been in the shop a few times before, and said I was planning to get some genital piercings as an eighteenth birthday present. After the appointment, S yx did ask if I was over eighteen -- I could have been lying, though. Generally, a shop should always ask to see identification and ideally make a copy of it for their files. Overall though, I was very impressed by the studio and felt comfortable returning for my piercings, as it is generally their policy to ID; I don't know anyone else who did not get checked, so I assume my case was a special one.
Fast forward a week and a half, and I'm back at the studio ready to get poked. Surprisingly, I was not asked to sign a waiver or fill out any sort of questionnaire before my piercing; it appears to be shop policy to not complete waivers and forms, but it is generally a good idea; it protects the piercer legally if something goes wrong and a client decides to sue, and provides valuable background information about the piercee. But again, this is only one small point -- Sacred Heart is an excellent shop.
Syx took me back to the piercing room and discussed the aftercare with me before the piercing -- which is a good idea, as most people can't pay attention after the fact. We decided to do the triangle first, as it would be the most difficult and painful; in comparison, the labia should be a breeze. I had again worn my boots and a skirt, and adopted the same position on the sterile draped-table as before. He began by cleaning the area with sterile betadine (iodine) swabs. He then took out the disposable genitan violet surgical marking pen (which I was given as a souvenir to prove that it would not be used on another client) out of an autoclaved package, and gave me a hand mirror so I could watch everything he was going to do.
(insert triangle experience here)
After the agony of my triangle piercing was finished, we moved on to the labia. I decided to do the piercing at a 12 gauge, as I didn't want anything to get ripped during riding or sex; I would have liked to go bigger, but Syx pointed out that if the rings were too large they might get in the way while riding. The ring came out of its little autoclaved bag; it was a plain 316LVMF138 implant-grade stainless steel captive bead ring -- nothing fancy. For fresh piercings jewellery should be plain, because decorative beads made out of crystal or stone are porous and can harbour bacteria; after the piercing is healed, the bead can be changed to something prettier. It is also important to check the quality of jewellery being used: the ring should have an even, mirror-like polish with no scratches, and a minimal gap between the bead and ring (too large of a space will provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria). He asked me which side I wanted to do, and I had no preference so told him to pick. He chose the left, as this lip was smaller than the other and the extra weight of the ring might stretch it to the same size as the right one. It's funny, I had never even noticed this before; piercings in this area really get you to become familiar with your genitalia. He made a mark with the disposable pen, and asked for my approval. It looked fine to me, so I tell him to go ahead. It is important for inner labia placement that the piercing not enclose any of the "folds" of tissue; if so, it will pinch incredibly and most likely not heal. However, the piercing cannot be too close to the edge of the lip either or you will run the risk of ripping it out during rough sexual play. Now, I'm not really expecting too much pain as I figure nothing can compare to what I just went through with my triangle. I was right, but not by much...
Syx picks up the new hollow 12ga needle which has also come out of an autoclaved package, and dips it in some sterile water-based lubricant to help it slide through the tissue. He then instructs me to take a deep breath in, and then exhale. I learned from the triangle that he pierces on the second exhale, so knew when it was coming this time. Second inhale, begin the exhale, and then, WHAM! I let out a pained yelp, and Syx reassures me that it's over -- the piercing was very quick, at least. I was quite surprised at how painful it was; it wasn't as bad as my triangle, but it was still that uncomfortable pain of a needle going through somewhere that it really shouldn't be near in the first place. The pain I experience with genital piercings is quite different from other piercing sensations: it seems to burn more, and I just get the feeling that my body does not want me piercing down there. Immediately after the piercing, I experienced an uncomfortable stinging sensation that I didn't get from my triangle. Next, he picks up the ring, dips it in the lubricant, and gets me ready for round two. The jewellery insertion wasn't too bad; it stung a bit, but nothing compared to the actual piercing. I took a glance with the hand mirror at my newly-decorated privates, and was elated at the results. I got Syx to take a few pictures with my camera (which unfortunately didn't turn out), then got up, put my panties back out and tipped him. Syx left me with his pager and e-mail, and told me to contact him if I had any problems.
About a week later, I realized that the triangle was not working; it had been pierced too deep. We removed it and decided to redo it a month later (free of charge, of course). I decided to get the second labia piercing during the triangle redo, so we essentially repeated the entire piercing procedure down to the letter. This time the piercings were done after hours at the West End Sacred Heart, because Syx wanted Greta to assist with the triangle; as this studio was so far from my place, I met Syx at the Kistilano studio and he drove me downtown. I actually prefer the Kitsilano studio for genital work, as the position I had to adopt at the West End location was much more uncomfortable: I was laying on an angled, reclined padded table with my feet on Syx's (or Greta's) thighs. After an hour and a half -- the triangle redo was a long, drawn-out technical affair -- the muscles in my legs were involuntarily spasming from being in the same position for so long; I actually had to hold my knees down so I wouldn't move during the labia piercing! Syx spent a few minutes measuring up the marks for my labia (with a sterile, disposable ruler, of course), as he wanted to ensure the piercings were completely even. I didn't find the piercing quite as painful the second time around, but that was probably due to the fact that I was prepared for the pain this time. After we finished, Syx drove me home -- this was greatly appreciated, as taking the bus for an hour and then walking home in the pouring rain is not very much fun after being pierced!
Immediately after both piercings, I did not experience that much discomfort. I was walking a bit funny, but it was more out of fear that I would hit the piercings than actual pain. Upon inspection of my panties, there was a bit of blood; nothing more than a few spots, though, and I only experienced bleeding the first night after each piercing. The aftercare instructions I received were very simple: sea salt (NOT Epsom salt -- this is a completely different chemical compound) soaks, twice a day for one month. My saline solution consisted of 1 level teaspoon of non-iodized salt (it has to be non-iodized, as iodine irritates fresh wounds) mixed with one litre of de-ionized water. Sterile 0.9% W/V saline solution can also be obtained from a medical supply store, pharmacy or hospital -- just make sure it has no added preservatives. I measured out my saline into a clean mug and micro waved it for a few seconds; the heat helps dissolve crusted lymph and blood faster, and feels a l ot better "down there" than cold saline -- just make sure it's not too hot, or you could accidentally burn your new piercings! I would put the solution into a 1/4 or 1/3 cup plastic measuring cup (make sure to clean it well after each soak), and then hold it between my legs over the piercings for about ten minutes. I then rinsed any salt residue off the area with a gentle spray from the showerhead. I did not usually have any lymph on the rings, but even if this is absent it is still vital to soak the piercings; the saline solution is isotonic to the body's cells and helps the tissue heal. As well, nothing can soothe an angry or sore piercing like a warm soak! It is important to try and keep the area as dry as possible, as moist warm regions are the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. After getting out of the shower, I would gently dry the piercings and surrounding skin off with a lint-free Kleenex -- you should always use something disposable to dry your piercings off, a s towels can harbour bacteria. I then inspected the piercings after cl eaning using a small hand mirror, as it is a good idea to check on them frequently to ensure they are healing correctly. Soap is unnecessary for genital piercings, and can actually be damaging if you accidentally get it into the vaginal canal; it upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and can cause a yeast infection. As usual, antibacterial ointments like polysporin, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and cleaning solutions like Bactine are to be avoided -- they hinder healing rather than helping. There is also no need to rotate the rings, and doing so will actually damage the healing piercing -- it is essentially the same as picking scabs off a wound. After the piercings are healed, the rings rotate freely. Genital piercings need minimal aftercare to heal, because this area is designed to deal with exposure to foreign bacteria during intercourse. As well, the tissue is a thin mucous membrane that is well-fed by blood vessels so heals very quickly.
Of course, any genital piercing is quite affected by bodily functions, inner labia more so because they are in the path of the urethra and vaginal canal. I personally found urination during healing excruciatingly painful; I would be limping and walking like a duck for five minutes after going to the washroom. Drinking lots of water does help to dilute the urine and minimize stinging, but I was still in a lot of pain. As well, wiping the area off with toilet paper afterwards proved to be painful too, as I would invariably hit the piercings accidentally. As disgusting as it sounds, I was in so much pain that I decided to take some PA aftercare advice and urinate into a water-filled vessel or cup; it may not be the most pleasant thing in the world to do, but it saves you a LOT of pain. Another important thing to remember is being careful when wiping yourself after going to the washroom; remember what your mother said and ALWAYS wipe front to back. The last thing anyone wants is an E.coli infection in their fresh piercings from cross-contamination! I can't offer any advice on dealing with labia piercings during menstruation, as I'm on the birth control drug Depo-Provera so don't get my period any more (It really is a miracle drug ^_^). Obviously, extreme caution has to be exercised during sexual activity with fresh piercings; the hole is a direct line to your bloodstream, and anyone else's bodily fluids coming in contact with it can instantly transmit disease. Remember to always, always use a condom, and make sure it is non-spermicidal (the spermicide stings incredibly). After any sort of sexual activity, give the piercing an immediate cleaning. One rather unappetizing problem I noticed with my labia piercings is their tendency to collect vaginal discharge. When this happens, I simply give the piercings a good long soak and then remove the remainder of the crud from the ring using a q-tip. It's not a problem all the time; it just depends on your hormone level at certain times during the month.
I would strongly suggest having inner labia piercings done when you will not be active for at least a week. I could barely walk for the first four days, as the sensation of the ring moving around was excruciating. I was very thankful that I had the piercings done separately, as I am sure the fresh piercings hitting each other while walking would not have been a pleasant sensation. If sleeping is uncomfortable for the first few days, a pillow can be inserted between the knees to prevent the rings from getting twisted or banged while sleeping. I lived in skirts for about three weeks after the piercing, and found tight pants uncomfortable for quite some time after this. It is important to be cautious when sitting down and crossing your legs, as you can pull the piercings the wrong way accidentally. It is strongly recommended that cotton underwear be worn during the healing period, as synthetic fibres like polyester don't allow the piercings to breathe. Also, pantyhose and tig hts should be avoided during the healing period because they do not allow air to circulate around the piercings. I was single at the time of the piercings as well, which I would also recommend; this removes any temptation to test the piercings out too early, which is a sure-fire way to slow healing and promote excess scar tissue. I was unable to exercise for one week, and still experienced some minor discomfort for another week after that. Trust me, doing a kickboxing class with fresh piercings is a very interesting experience. I took a minimum of three weeks off horseback riding after getting each labia pierced, which seemed like the perfect amount of time. Riding has been fine overall; I have had a few uncomfortable moments on occasion, but nothing serious.
I would highly recommend inner labia piercings to anyone considering a genital piercing. The piercing itself is painful and the healing time can be uncomfortable, but once the piercings are healed (which only takes about a month), they are virtually problem-free. They have actually made me like the look of my genitals, whereas before I viewed them as disgusting. Modification is a wonderful way to become more comfortable and familiar with your body, as well as improve your self-esteem. I hope this experience has been helpful, and that anyone considering this piercing will take the plunge and "go for it". Happy piercing! ^_^