I recently started thinking about getting some more piercings. I was fairly limited in my options because I am in the military so all of my piercings need to be hidden. I already had a VCH and nipple piercings. In Philadelphia, I go to Infinite for any piercing issues, so I went to check out their website, which is very thorough and informative. I decided to get a triangle piercing, if I was anatomically suited, because it seemed both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
At A Glance Author Laura Contact Laura@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Kevin Jump Studio Infinite Body Location Philadelphia, PA The only piercings I've had done at Infinite were ear lobes. However Infinite has a great reputation, and I've been treated very well whenever I've been there to buy jewelry. I was very confident in their ability to perform this piercing, which was important since it is in such a crucial area of the body.
I decided to get the piercing done during the exam period after classes had ended for school, hoping that I would have time to baby the piercing some if necessary. Also, I was off the hook with the military for a few weeks, so I wouldn't have to do any physical training. I took the subway down to South St and got a slice of pizza from Lorenzo's (best pizza in Philly!). The whole time, I thought "Am I really going to do this?" Going from having one genital piercing to having multiple genital piercings seemed like a big step into freakdom.
I sucked it up, went into Infinite, and asked about getting a triangle piercing. The counter person was very nice and copied my ID while I filled out the release form. He told me that Kevin would be piercing me, which was cool because Kevin had changed some jewelry for me a month before, so it was someone I already knew. Kevin came out and asked if I'd been checked to see if I were suited for this piercing, which I hadn't. He also asked if I had any other genital piercings, and I told him I had a VCH. I asked him how I would feel afterwards and if I would be able to exercise soon afterwards, and he said that I wouldn't need more than a few days off. Kevin and I talked some about where exactly the piercing would be and what kind of jewelry would be used. I told him I wanted a circular barbell, which is what he recommended. He said that depending on my anatomy, we could do a 12ga or 10ga, but I said that I wanted a 12ga. He said we would start with a larger diameter barbell to allow for swelling then I could switch to a smaller one later if I wanted.
I waited a bit (it was Saturday evening, so the shop was kind of busy), then he called me into the piercing room where I took my pants and underwear off. I sat on the dentist chair, with my legs bent up and my feet resting on the seat (no stirrups). Kevin started to clean me off and then felt around my clitoris and hood to see if there was room for the piercing. He said I was suited for a triangle, and he got a sharpie and started marking. It took a long time to mark it, which he said was because he wanted to get it in the right spot where it would be stimulating but not intersect my clit. Apparently my VCH is a little crooked, so he took it out. He said it was throwing him off and he wanted to get the triangle perfectly straight. The whole time my legs were shaking pretty badly. I knew it would be okay, but I was really nervous.
Finally he showed me the marking then got out his piercing tray. He knew I was nervous and said that we could wait a bit if I wanted, but I said to go ahead and do it. He started putting on the clamps, which started out being just a little uncomfortable, then started to pinch really bad. For the last few, he had to remind me to breathe in and breathe out. Then he said that he was going to pierce me. The pain was sharp, but over very quickly. Overall it hurt very slightly more than the VCH since it took longer, due to the clamps and because the needle went through more tissue. The mental distress I put myself through was far more traumatic than the actual piercing.
Right after the needle went through, I felt blood running down. He put the jewelry in and took off the clamps. Then he said, "I'm sorry, but I'm going to wipe your butt now," which I suppose was probably worse for him than for me. I had gone out drinking the night before (not recommended), and he said the alcohol made my blood thin and that was why it bled so much. He put gauze on it to try to stop the bleeding. He had asked earlier if he could take a picture for his portfolio, but he said that since it was bleeding so much, he wasn't going to. He put the jewelry back into my VCH and gave me the sheet of aftercare instructions. I got dressed, and he gave me some gauze to put in my underwear for the ride home. We went to the counter, and I paid and tipped him.
On the way home, I felt fine, but I could tell that I was bleeding a lot. When I got back, I realized I had bled through the gauze my underwear, and all over my pants. I cleaned it up then got a pad, which I had to change again in about an hour. By that night, it had mostly stopped bleeding. However a lot of blood had clotted around the piercing and didn't come off in the shower, which worried me some. Someone wrote an experience on BME describing her crotch as a mass of red jello, which pretty much describes what mine looked like.
The next morning, I felt fine. The bleeding was basically just spotting and the blood clots washed off in the shower. However, by that evening, I was really sore and swollen. The next few days, it stayed pretty sore, but by the fifth day, I felt pretty normal and the swelling had gone down. Since those first few days, sometimes I can feel it when I'm walking or if I'm lying on my side, and sometimes it's a little itchy, but I haven't had any problems or real discomfort.
For aftercare, I wash once a day with Satin. I'm kind of prone to yeast infections, so washing down there more than once a day seemed like a bad idea. I'm a big fan of H2Ocean, which I use a few times a day. However, real sea salt soaks would have probably been a good idea those first few days when there was more blood and gunk.
About two weeks after I got the piercing, I gave it a little "test" via my vibrator with my underwear still on. The piercing felt itchy, but gave me no problems. More recently, I used my hand, and it feels really good to rub around my clit where I can feel the jewelry underneath. I've only had sex once since I got it, but I didn't really let the guy get up in it since it's still healing, and I used a condom.
I will probably go back to Infinite after it's healed some more to change the jewelry. I think a smaller diameter barbell will be more comfortable. Also, I think the opening to the barbell should be a little wider so I can tuck it in closer to my body.
My advice:
1. Go to a really experienced piercer. Your clit is a very important piece of hardware. I highly recommend Infinite.
2. Don't go on a bender the night before.
3. Bring a pad with you and be prepared for bleeding.
4. Avoid tight clothing for the first few days.
I am very pleased with this piercing. It sometimes clanks against the VCH which makes me really feel like a real weirdo with so much metal in my pants, but I'm really happy with how it looks and feels.