I became fascinated with tragus piercings after looking on, as a friend of mine (James) became familiar with a needle going through that small, oddly shaped lump of cartilage. For about 14 months I pondered around the idea of having my tragus pierced (while having 3 painful piercings done in the process of my thinking). Finally, during a recess break at school I was discussing the prospects of getting some more metal inserted into my skin. She decided she also wanted something pierced before the Easter Long Weekend. So we set a date (the day before she left on a cruise down the river) and it was left as that.
At A Glance Author shee_dev Contact shee_devish@hotmail.com When Six months ago Artist A female who's name started with P Studio Off Ya Tree Location Adelaide, Australia
The day was here. March 27th, 2002, had finally arrived. School had finally finished and my friend and future metal mouth Jane, and I were on our way into the city, accompanied by about 8 or so other friends who were amped to watch our pain induced facials. We all split up and I decided to walk to "Off Ya Tree" to inquire about having my tragus pierced (which I had been planning for the past few weeks). I was greeted by the female who was later to pierce me, but was informed that I would have to be booked in for 5:15pm as her workmate was out on lunch at the current moment. I decided to go and get something to eat to hopefully settle my nerves. Slowly our group numbers declined as angry parents rang wondering where their children were. It came to 5:00pm and the last 3 of my friends (including Jane and her new tongue piercing) had to leave. I was left all by myself. This didn't bother me in the slightest, I was determined to have another bit of metal put in my body to show th em all on Monday.
I arrived back at "Off Ya Tree" after browsing the shops to waste the time until 5:15pm. I was once again greeted by the friendly staff who helped me with the paper work, choosing my jewellery and answering all of my questions. The time was finally here!! I walked to the back of the shop into a medium sized, sterile looking room with the piercer. I sat up on the table, which was like the kind they have in doctors surgery and everything began. The spot on my tragus was marked. I was happy with the position and decided I was ready for the next step. I have a habit of fainting when I see needles so the piercer had me face away from her. She put the clamp on and informed me that it would be more of an "oh $#!t, bite down on your teeth" kind of pain rather than the immensely long shoot of pain that most people expected. I nodded my head and prepared myself for it. She counted to three and I heard a slight noise in my ear (it was probably the popping noise I had read about, even t hough it sounded nothing like a pop). The ring was put through the fresh hole but the pliers had just come out of the auto-clave thingymabob and were too hot to screw the ball in yet. The piercer and I had a good chat and then my piercing was finally complete, ball fastened and all. I walked back to the counter, paid for my new tragus piercing and was congratulated by the staff for not fainting.
That night during my sleep I rolled onto my left hand side only to wake up to a rather large pool of blood on my pillow. Leaving a blood trail along the carpet I rushed into the bathroom to try and stop this angry little thing from bleeding. I learned from this experience and it never happened again. Well not for a while anyway. For the first 5 days of so I had a fair amount of swelling and had real trouble talking, smiling and laugh etc. without feeling a small amount of pain. I cleaned the open wound religiously but that wasn't enough for it.
*ALMOST 6 MONTHS LATER*
I am sad to inform you all that about 5 months down the track my tragus started rejecting the piercing =( On Thursday the 8th of August I went back to "Off Ya Tree" to have it checked out and most likely taken out. I decided that it would be best if I took it out now and get it pierced again in another 2-3 months. This was the first out of my 10 piercings to reject or not heal properly. I was really upset. The dude who took the ring out for me (didn't catch his name) put the rejection down to knocking it about (answering phones etc.) and sleeping on it at night after asking me a few questions. 10 minutes later it was gone.
It's been 4 days now and I'm really happy with the way it's healing up and I look forward to going back and having my beautiful tragus pierced again.
Overall I was extremely happy with the staff and service I got at "Off Ya Tree." I will definitely be going back there for any other piercings that I may get done (I'm already considering another for next week).