At A Glance
Author	Kat
Contact	chica_latino_3k@yahoo.co.uk
When	A month ago
Artist	Tim Buchorski
Studio	Marks and Punctures (Hemel Studio)
Location	Hemel Hempstead, England

PRE PIERCING:

I've been into piercing seriously for about three years. To be honest when I was younger my interest was fuelled mainly by pierced people I saw on the street and one or two people in my school with interesting piercings. When I discovered BME it opened up a whole new world of information for me (definitely a good thing).

However, I haven't had a good track record with piercings. My lobes caused me absolutely no problem and the small stretches I've done were also relatively no trouble but both the ear cartilage piercings I've had have been no end of trouble, one of them eventually having to be retired, possibly because of my lack of knowledge at the point I had them done.

Well, rather than admit defeat I decided that the next piercing I got would be a success. I've always loved horizontal lobe piercings and had been interested in getting one for maybe a year or two, so when my boyfriend decided he wanted his ears pierced I thought it might be the prime time to get some new holes myself.

I'm rather a spontaneous piercee and the only reputable piercing studio in my town I know of books in advance. So, I did a little research on the computer and discovered a place called Marks and Punctures, situated just a little way away.

Previously I had not done any research into where I got my piercings and simply went to the closest studio to me, but I wanted to make sure everything went right this time. However, after reading the helpful website and positive feedback for Marks and Punctures, I decided I should check it out.

The Hemel Studio is actually situated above a hairdresser's, which was a bit disorientating. But once there, although small, it was very clean, decorated with pictures of piercings with magazines to read. I spoke to the piercer Tim about getting transverse lobes and he was very helpful. Whereas my previous piercer was very quiet, barely said a word, didn't share any of his knowledge with me, Tim was very sweet and friendly and really tried to put me at ease.

After a brief time to think my piercing over and to get cash out and buy a chocolate bar in case of dizziness I decided that it was now or never. I was really scared even though I'd been through several cartilage piercings before and didn't have a huge problem dealing with the pain.

I have to say Tim was absolutely great calming me down. He was very chatty and engaging, noticing the chocolate bar I'd bought and praising me for it, which I found helps a lot calming your nerves (if you're nervous, you wouldn't believe how much it helps to find a piercer you can really talk to). I was talked through the whole procedure, discussed whether straight or banana barbells would be the better choice, and was offered a choice of colours of titanium jewellery - which wasn't so important, I'm all for plain silver.

He put on fresh gloves, swabbed both of my ears and set about marking me up. After showing me in the mirror and asking my boyfriend's opinion, we concluded that the marks very straight and we were ready to go.

I was pierced freehand, so each ear took around four pushes to get the needle through. I will admit, this was a different kind of pain than I was used to and did hurt but it was bearable. As he pierced me, Tim kept talking to me and telling I was doing really well. It may have been just talk but it helped to hear that. After the needle was fully through, he put my jewellery in and gave me a minute's breather.

The other ear, as expected, hurt more than the first. It hurts a lot more than standard lobe piercings and I must admit, I let out a bit of an "Ooh-er" noise for this one. Luckily I still had Tim and my boyfriend to chat away and keep my mind off of the pain. Finally, though, it was over and my jewellery in. Strangely enough, I actually couldn't feel him put the jewellery in. For my cartilage piercings, actually inserting the jewellery was worse than being pierced but for this piercing it was painless (thankfully).

I checked out my new piercings, paid £50 for both lobes and was given two lollipops - I told Tim I used to get given those after a haircut, not quite the same as this experience! After paying, both me and my boyfriend felt comfortable enough to stay and chat to Tim about what options my boyfriend had about stretching his lobes and comparing their motorbikes!

Since my lobes were swollen, Tim reccommended putting ice on them as soon as I got home. He talked me through the aftercare and the length of the healing period (two or three months, salt soaks twice daily and try to avoid knocking them about) and said if we had any problems to just text him on the number of the aftercare leaflet.

Altogether this was a very positive experience. This is the first piercer I have really wanted to recommend to people and felt a connection with. It may not seem important but the difference finding a piercer you can tell is friendly, patient and competent can really make a hell of a lot of difference.

POST PIERCING:

I have had the piercing for a little over two weeks now. I have to say, other than my standard lobes, it has been the least painful piercing I've had. After icing down my lobes once I got home, the swelling went down a little and there was a distinct lack of pain.

The only real problem with this piercing, I feel, is that it's hard not to sleep on them. Still, it doesn't irritate them to the degree is does any ear cartilage piercings.

After a few days, my left ear was fairly red and somewhat swollen despite following my aftercare regime diligently. I was very relieved to feel comfortable emailing the studio to ask for advice and was told that if the swelling did not go down, I was welcome to come in and have Tim take a look at it and possibly change the bars for longer ones.

Since then, the left ear has been a bit up and down. It's still a little swollen and pussy but it's still painless. If it swells anymore I will definitely get the bar changed but for now I'm just leaving it alone and soaking it. The right ear is problem free, thankfully!

CONCLUSION:

For anyone who's thinking of getting this piercing, I would encourage them, so long as they take the time to research a decent piercer and can make time to follow the aftercare. I had always loved this piercing; it's very aesthetic and interesting and the comments I have got from it are almost all positive, even from people who have criticised other piercings I've had. My favourites are the one who look at my ears quizzically, tilt their head and say "how does that work?"

I really love unusual piercings and this one I adore. I say, if you love something, don't be afraid of the pain because it only lasts a few seconds, and get it.

However, I'd also offer some advice to would be piercees.

Firstly:

* find a reputable piercer, preferably someone you feel comfortable around, has experience and doesn't make you feel stupid or out of place.

* be prepared to follow your aftercare routine dutifully, it's there for a reason.

* avoid knocking this piercing. Try to ensure you won't find yourself in a situation where you have to cover it up or bump it about. Unfortunately, my only method of transport lately has been my boyfriend's motorbike and taking a helmet on and off doesn't do a new piercing the world of good. It's not lethal to this piercing, but it does aggravate it. Try to give it some peace and quiet!

* enjoy yourself; listen if people have reasonable advice, but ignore unnecessary criticism. You're the one who has to wear the piercing, so if you love it, go for it.

I hope this helps!