I don't think my story is much different from most, except that I had the best experience yet and thanks to it, I can't wait to get more piercings, possibly a tattoo and have some babies. (I know you're thinking... where the hell did the babies come in? but yea I'm referring to pain tolerance that I never knew I had.)
At A Glance Author Felix Dashit Contact Felix Dashit@bme.anon When Two years ago Location Gainesville, FL I was very anxious about getting my industrial done. I had wanted it done for about 3 years before I actually got it done. I had done a lot of research and read a lot of people's experiences with getting an industrial done. I finally decided to just go for it with my best friend while visiting her at her college. I was excited to have the experience with a close friend because I use my piercings to document events and years in my life.
We had decided to go to the piercing studio that she had gotten her previous piercing done at and had been highly recommended by a few of her friends. We didn't have to wait long and because I was so anxious, I was constantly asking our piercer questions about getting an industrial. He was so calm with me, even though I could tell he wanted me to just shut up and stop talking. He even helped me pick out which ear would be a better fit for the long run. The best part was how he decided to tell me that the industrial piercing hurt worse than getting your tongue pierced which TOTALLY got me anxious.... But because I was so anxious, I wasn't even paying much attention to the actual procedure and pain, which was nothing! My friends, who were there to support me, seemed to be in more pain than me by watching it. The piercer had suggested I get a 16 gauge bar because it looked more feminine and would fit my ear better. He decided to put the industrial in my right ear at about a 45 degree angle I'd say. He also told me exactly what to do to take good care of it, basically sea salt water blend twice a day. He was so helpful and told us if we had any issues to come back and see him. It was really great to have such a great piercer because I knew he actually cared about what he was doing and not about mass production. You could tell he loves what he does for a living.
I had no bleeding during or after. It was swollen and red for about a day or two. My body had no problem adapting to the new piercing. It was only painful if I ended up sleeping on it, but I tried not to. That is a hard thing to do when you can only fall asleep with your head pointed a certain way. I never woke up in a puddle of blood like other people or got the piercing ripped out. I did have a few close calls with getting my haircut and my stylist snagging it on his comb, and once trying on a dress with chains on it, the chains got wrapped up on it and my mother almost ripped it clear out of my ear. I was screaming bloody murder on that one, but nothing really happened to it. Thank the world. It did take a while to heal... basically about a year and if I take the bar out, it's REALLY hard to get back in without being in some pain. I have only taken the bar out twice and I don't plan to take it out ever again. The top hole is harder to thread than the bottom. I also had a couple bumps near the holes, which wouldn't go away. I tried everything, but all of a sudden after about a year, they just went away on their own. I was very pleased about that.
I would highly suggest this piercing to anyone who wants one, but it's a great idea to speak with the piercer first about whether your ear is cut out for one. I'm glad that my ear was great for it. But I was told that my left ear would have rejected it based on the shape of my ear.
My family likes to refer to it as "the tragedy of my vacation because I have a rod thru my head." They got used to it after a while. The best part is when some one sees it for the first time, like a little kid, or adult, and they just stare at it and ask me how much it hurt. I seem to get a lot more respect from people because of it. I think that's odd, but then again, people don't believe me when I say it didn't hurt at all. I think everyone's experience will be different and so we have to read other's experiences with a grain of salt and more for knowledge.