It had been nearly a year since my last piercing (navel) and I'd just started getting the itch for a new one. I'd been thinking about a tattoo but I'm still not 100% about it, so I decided I wanted a new piercing to scratch that pesky itch (at least for the moment!).
At A Glance Author kiki Contact kiki@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Charlie Studio Sunderland Body Art Location Sunderland, UK I already have my lobes, helix in left ear, nipple and navel pierced, so I thought my right tragus would even things out a bit. Like my other piercing, as soon as I'd decided I wanted it done I just HAD to have it, so me and my boyfriend went into town the next day so I could get it done. I was really looking forward to it, as soon as you know you're going to be getting another piercing you get all excited, or at least I do!
First of all, we went into one tattooist, but they said the piercing would be done with a gun. All I could think of was the horrible, hot, red snap of the gun when I got my helix done, and I think the shock and noise was worse than getting my nipple done with a needle. So I'd decided I wanted my tragus done with a needle. I'd advise anyone getting any cartilage piercing to get it with a needle, as the thought of using gun on your tragus just sounds like a bad idea to me. Also, don't feel like you have to get a piercing in a certain place just because you've walked in there, it's your body and even though most piercers do know what they're doing, you know what you want, go with your gut! I didn't get it done there, I just asked some questions about price and how they pierce it and stuff, which you should do.
The next place we went was Sunderland Body Art, it was really nice, modern and clean looking, and the people were instantly really friendly and welcoming. I asked about the gun/needle thing and they said that they don't even use guns for lobes, and that most places don't regard them as proper piercing tools. So I was happy to get mine done there, and it was only £20 (the other place was £15 with a gun).
I started to ge the butterflies-in-the-basket feeling when I was waiting for a piercing to be finished, but it was only excitement, I wasn't really nervous. I filled in the forms and all that jazz, then Charlie took me upstairs to the studio and piercing bit. I later found out he has the Guinness World Record for the most number of piercing in one session (over 1000!) but I was happy with just my one thank you. I was worried about the popping noise as when my friend got it she said it was a really sickening sound, but I didn't let it put me off. Charlie marked my ear (but didn't show me surprisingly) and then clamped it. He told me to take a big breath, then exhale. I did, and as I exhaled he pushed the needle through. It was really quick, no popping, and much less painful than I thought! I didn't even squeeze my boyfriend's hand off much to his surprise! The jewellery quickly went in (a clear sparkly labret) and then Charlie told me about how to look after it. He said basically not to do anything t o it, very weak sea-salt water if I had to clean it up, but it didn't even bleed when I got it done and straight away it looked great, like I'd had it done for ages. I was given a sweetie and duly paid my 20 pounds, andleft really happy, and in no pain. Even now (2 days on) it feels fine, obviously putting lots of pressure on it is uncomfortable but sleeping has been fine and it doesn't look gross or red.
I now have a really pretty jewel in my tragus, it looks really cute and cool, and I love it. Id say to anyone wanting it to get it done, don't be put off by stories, go to a good place to get it done, make sure they use a needle and try not to touch it (even thought I have kinda been messing around with it today) I guess I had a good experience with this piercing, the first time I had my helix done it got infected and I had to take it out and get it re-done later, so I know what a pain and disappointment a piercing gone wrong can be, but by the looks of it mine is going to be fine (or so I hope!)
Get it done it's a cool piercing, not too common and definitely worth it! I can't wait to get my next piercing, I think it could be my lip, but I'm going to wait until I move out for that one!