I'm one that looks at piercings as things that should be well thought out, but not necessarily desired as permanent fixtures. I like the fact that I always have the option of removing the jewelry and letting my body go back to how it was. Aside from that though, I love the look once they're there, the adrenaline rush as you're getting 'em, and the decisive process when choosing what to get. This time I'd decided on my outer labias.
At A Glance Author Amethyst Contact Amethyst@bme.anon IAM Amethyst When It just happened Artist John Reynolds Studio Forbidden Fruit Location Austin Tx I had talked to John, my piercer, about what I wanted for this piercing. I decided against rings 'cause they'd be more bulky, and chose curved barbells instead. The process of stretching up piercings is always a pain, especially when it's special ordered jewelry to begin with, so I decided I'd just start with 10s. When I went in to get some other work done I ordered the two 7/8" 10g curved barbells. Now I just had to deal with the weeks of waiting for it to get in.
The jewelry got in and I decided to go the next weekend. Of course I made an electrolysis (permanent hair removal by electrode) appointment for earlier that morning. The idea of shaving around barbells was always a concern to me so I started getting electrolysis about 4 months before. I trimmed up the night before and just in case we didn't get through everything I wanted to I brought a razor along as well (turned out I didn't need it, but I wanted to make sure things were properly trimmed downstairs before dropping my pants for someone). By the time I was ready to head to Forbidden Fruit I was so nervous.
I did my research and read experiences on BME as well as talked to friends that've had theirs done. As with everything all I learned was that it's completely different for everyone. Just thinking about how meaty that area is made me anticipate pain. I'm also of the mindset that if you expect the very worst you can only be pleasantly surprised.
So, we got to Forbidden Fruit and took care of all the usual stuff – ID, paperwork, payment. John had an appointment before me so I had to sit and wait for a bit. All this did was increase the endorphins already running strongly through my body. When the time came I stepped back into the room... John was friendly as always (he's done 9 of my other piercings) and we chatted about life in general as he got the tray set up. (Of course he washed his hands, used gloves, autoclaved the jewelry, got sterile clamps and one-time-use needles as part of the quite sanitary preparation) As he got things ready he asked me to "assume the position" joking about how it's really hard to find a good way to say that. He politely remained turned around as I pulled off everything below my waist and sat up on the end of the table with my heels up on the corners on either side of my butt.
John turned around with a toothpick dipped in genetian violet and handed me a mirror. I wanted to have the barbells on a fairly steep angle so the placement of the upper balls was of most concern. He moved the toothpick around away from my skin till I told him exactly where I wanted them, then he marked. One side was to be slightly lower than the other and on a bit of a different angle so the bottom balls wouldn't pinch when I moved. Once he got the top holes marked he marked the angles, the exit holes, and grabbed the jewelry to hold up to double check the measurements. Everything was ready.
As he picked up the needle he started explaining the same things he always does – "I'll get ready, ask if you are, you say yes, inhale, exhale, and I pierce". I knew I wasn't going to want to talk though so I asked him to just tell me to inhale and pierce when I breathe out. I concentrated on the ceiling and my breathing as he clamped me and got the needle positioned. The clamp pinched a bit but I tried to ignore it knowing that what was coming was going to be much worse. As I inhaled for him to pierce me I panicked a bit and grabbed the edges of the table. Tensing up like that I'm sure didn't help the pain level, but it was bearable. I was breathing more intensely than I probably ever have. This piercing was by far the most painful of any piercing I've gotten (including conch, nipples, and hood). John quickly exchanged the needle for the jewelry, which was only a small tug, and screwed on the end.
I was probably in slight shock at this point so when he asked if I needed a minute I told him no, just do the other one. As he was about to clamp it my legs were shaking so badly that he made me put my knees together to relax and breathe for a bit. A minute later I did feel a lot better and was ready to get it over with. Same thing again, he clamped it, told me to inhale, I exhaled and he pierced. A lot of the time people say the second hurts worse than the first, I don't think it did. I'm not saying it didn't hurt as much as the first, but I don't think it was any more. After he screwed on the ball he told me I was bleeding and would probably want to wear a panty liner.
I put on my pants, and though I'd brought a liner with me I didn't care enough to sit there and get it situated. Before I left we went over aftercare- sea salt soaks, wash with antibacterial soap, no sex for a month, etc. I kinda waddled out of the back room to get my friend to drive me home. There were four women standing at the counter looking at tattoo portfolios that just had to ask what I'd just had done. I told them outer labias and they looked at me like I was an alien. How can women not know their own body parts? Anyway though, I pointed it out and all four of their jaws promptly hit the floor. They told me they were impressed, and gave me a good laugh.
Walking to the car wasn't as bad as I'd been expecting, I just had to take it slow. By the time I got home I realized that I really should have just put in the liner though. I was bleeding as if I was on my period. I cleaned myself up and after the next hour really haven't bled. I can tell that jeans aren't going to be friendly for at least a week, but I'm doing well and as long as I'm careful can cross my legs when I sit down. With all the blood flow in that area I'm anticipating fairly easy healing, I hope I'm right.