Over the past year, I have gotten to know Ed & Byriah (piercers of Taurian in Houston, Texas) well. This piercing is something that I have wanted for awhile. It took 60 days to make it a reality. On June 1st, 2005, I finally got my outer labias pierced. Sally (Best friend) & Matt (boyfriend) both had to be there for this momentous occasion. It was not an easy task to get everyone's schedules to match up. Also, I was having Ed do the honors. Because he is still an apprentice, he had to wait until the shop was closed to have Byriah's guidance.
At A Glance Author MsNightingale Contact txnightingale101@yahoo.com IAM MsNightingale When It just happened Artist Ed Studio Taurian Location Houston, TX Taurian's doesn't open until 4 pm. I must have called about 4:12 pm with anticipation but got the answering machine. I spoke with Matt. He said that he'd attempt to get in touch with them. I called again about 4:40 pm & Ed answered the phone. I asked if he would be able to do it this evening (June 1st). He said to be there for 10 pm & we'd go ahead & stretch my nipples barbells from 12 gauge to 10 gauge & my hood, too (also 12 g to 10 g). I asked if it would be acceptable to have a shot after the piercings to celebrate since the shop would be closed. Ed said, "Yes." So, I asked, "What do you drink?" "Whiskey," he replied.
So, I'm driving to Houston. It's an hour from where I live. I've showered & shaved all the parts for preparation. I got a call from Sally saying that she will be there. I get to Matt's place & one thing leads to another. Shower again. Then have Matt write on my very private bits "Hi Ed". I didn't want Ed to be nervous there. Definitely, a place a girl does not want a man with sharp objects to be uncomfortable around.
Matt & I get to Taurian's. Sally is already inside waiting on us. Ed greets us & asks if I'm ready. I'm so ready. Byriah & Ed are hungry, so Byriah goes to Wendy's for food. While waiting for his return, Ed shows me his portfolio & I'm in it for my vertical hood piercing. Wow that's cool. I wait patiently for Byriah's return & the inhalation of substance.
Before I know it, I'm guided to the room on the left. I removed my shirt & bra. I was instructed to lie on the table & did as I was told. Ed cleaned my right nipple then removed the 12 gauge barbell from it & stretched. Then proceeded to insert the new sterile metal 10 gauge barbell into it. Next, the left nipple was treated just as kind & gentle as the first. All of this went very smoothly. Ed said, "See that's how it works when you wait a year."
There is classical music playing in the background. Ed points that out & states that it will make me feel at ease. The music was driving me nuts. I didn't feel at ease at all. I couldn't stop giggling or be very still. I informed Ed of this. He said, "We better change it. You are going to need to be still." Sally got my giddiness on film.
Now, it was time to take my pants off. Sally had the camera. I had asked her to get a pic of Ed's facial expression when he saw the writing on my genital area "Hi Ed". Matt helped me get out of my pants as I was still in a lying position on the table. Ed's back is towards me as he is getting everything ready. Then, he turns around, reads & just starts laughing & saying, "that's awesome. No one's ever done that for me before." I say, "they can do it but I'll always be your first. These should make some lovely portfolio pics."
I have Matt go out to the car & get the new NIN cd. While Matt was changing the music, Ed proceeded to attempt to upsize my vertical hood piercing. The 12 gauge barbell was very secure to say the least. Ed had to use instruments to undo it. That was the most uncomfortable part of the evening for me. At one point, the instrument pinched me unsuspectingly & I cried out. For a brief moment, I was fine with leaving it as a 12 gauge barbell forever. But he managed to get it out & was able to upsize it successfully. Ed said, "Well, it was not going to come off by accident." I replied, "Good, I don't want anyone to swallow my metal."
Now, I had to re-position. Move my head up as far as it would go on the table & straddle it by putting each leg over each side. It was not the most comfortable position to be in. Ed proceeded to clean & mark my labia as to where the piercings would be. He had mentioned earlier that this was his third set & if everything went well, this set would qualify him & he would no longer need supervision to perform this piercing. Very cool, I thought.
All was marked & ready to go. Ed asked if I was ready. I said, "Yes." Ed left the room to retrieve Byriah for his approval. Byriah came in & looked everything over. He gave his approval to the markings of the angled staggered placement. Ed said, "Start concentrating on your breathing, I'll tell you when & then you'll need to take an audible deep breath in & breathe out twice as slowly as you breathed in." Sally has camera in hand & is getting pics of everything. Matt is standing behind me holding my hands. I begin to concentrate on my breathing. Ed asks if I have a side preference. I said, "No." He said, "I'm going to start with the left then because it will be more difficult." I nod in agreement & just keep breathing. Then the time comes to just breathe. As the needle punctures my flesh & I'm breathing out as slowly as possible thinking it's never going to exit the other side. Whew!!! It's over & the 10 gauge curved barbell is being placed. And I never screamed or kicked.
Now to prepare myself mentally for round two, Ed asked me if I were doing okay. I answer, "Yes," but it's barely audible. He said that it will be done just like the first one. So, I concentrate on my breathing. And it's time. Again the needle sears my skin leaving a hole for my chosen metal. This time it doesn't take as long as the first & before I know it. I'm done. Whew!!! No screaming or kicking.
Sally is instructing Ed to open it up to show it all off for the camera while she snaps away. I just lie there unable to move. But I'm not in pain, just uncomfortable. The pain was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had read various articles here on BME & both Ed & Byriah had said that it would be painful. So, I was expecting to kick & scream.
I finally sit up & want to get off the table but my feet do not touch the ground by a whole inch & I'm afraid to jump. I make it off the table safely & begin putting my panties back on. Ed says, "Don't you want to look at it in the mirror?" He leaves the room & I proceed to the mirror. WOW!!! I'm so incredibly happy with the placement & everything. I LOVE it!!! There is a little blood, but I expected more. Sally takes more pics of it. I finish getting dressed. Then, meet Byriah, Ed, Sally & Matt in the main area. The shots of Jack Daniels had been poured. We all toast & drink to piercings. What an incredible evening.
The outer labia piercings did bleed all during the first night, but by morning the bleeding had stopped completely. I am using satin for cleaning & doing sea salt soaks twice daily. It's still a little sore & I sit down very slowly & carefully. Other than that, so far so good, when these heal up, I do plan on getting more.
My advice to anyone getting any piercing is—first, get a piercer that you that is not only skilled, but that you are very comfortable with. Second, bring those things that put you at ease, for example, favorite music or best friends. Be smart, be safe & enjoy!!!