Just for a little background, I am 19 and a student at Tulane University. Before the piercing experience that follows, I had only the two standard lobe piercings that were performed with a gun at the mall for my sixth birthday. When in middle school I informed my parents of my desire to get my tongue pierced, they replied that I would do no such thing if I expected them to pay for my college tuition (that included any other piercing that I may have dreamed of as well as tattoos etc). So here I am in college, with my two boring piercings that have been there for as long as I remember. It was time to test Mommy and Daddy's threat.
At A Glance Author swmrsharon Contact swmrsharon@bme.anon When A month ago Studio Kaoz Location Mobile, AL I started stretching out my lobes a few months ago, and as much as I enjoy it, it was just not enough for me. I'm only up to an 8ga for now. New Year's Eve, I headed over to Kaoz with only a vague idea of what I wanted pierced. I had looked through several galleries and really liked the look of the vertical traguses, but they looked so painful, and I have (or shall I say had) a fear of needles. I talked to one of the guys behind the counter for what seemed like hours, going through the pros and cons of vertical versus typical tragus piercing and the like. He warned me that if I neglected the piercing it could migrate out and leave an awful scar. After I made the final decision, he went over all of the aftercare with me and asked if I had any questions. I must have looked scared to death 'cause he assured me several times that it wouldn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought. This guy was so friendly and patient with me...anything else and I would have bolted out the door. After all, I didn't bring anyone along for support...not something that I would recommend.
So it was finally time to get pierced and I could not stop shaking. The piercer led me into the room where I'd been so many times and started getting everything ready, informing me that I was his first vertical tragus. Doesn't seem too smart now that I think about it, but he knew what he was doing. He explained that the needle wouldn't go through the cartilage, just the thin layer of skin covering it. I held my breath and waited for the pain. The clamp hurt so much worse than the actual piercing and the needle went in a little too far and nicked the top of my ear a bit but none of that mattered...some guy just shoved a large needle through a part of me and I rather enjoyed it. The pain was gone as soon as the clamps were removed and I gawked in the mirror at the stainless steel balls of my curved 16ga micro-barbell. I was going for a straight barbell until they told me that it would be much more painful.
It has been two months now and I am absolutely in love with my piercing; I show it off to everyone. It is so cute! I cared for it as instructed (relatively) and I have not had any problems. It healed much quicker than expected. One of the internally threaded balls unscrewed itself a few weeks ago so I headed to Rings of Desire in New Orleans to get it put back in and the piercer I spoke to was truly impressed with the work. I stopped back by Kaoz last week for another stretch and a lot of praise for my piercer. Now, the only real pain I experience is the occasional squeeze to make sure that the balls are screwed in tightly. Needless to say I am no longer afraid of needles. I plan to get a new piercing in a few weeks, as stainless steel has become a fun fixation. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of this piercing but I promise he will love the next! Oh and as for Mommy and Daddy, though not to pleased about it all, they are still paying for my tuition.
If you are thinking about a first piercing or just a relatively inconspicuous one, I would strongly recommend a vertical tragus. Of course, as with any piercing, you should be committed to following the aftercare as advised by your piercer. I had to be very aware of my piercing as it healed and I often found myself bumping into it while brushing back my hair and even rolling over and sleeping on it, making for a very painful awakening. Last week I caught it on my shirt while changing clothes, and it made a slight tear...so be aware of your piercing!