So, I had plans tonight. But my friend bailed on me, so I decided at the last minute that I should get another piercing! My friend had just gotten her tongue pierced two days ago and I wanted to do that, but since I have to work in a few hours I decided I needed something less difficult.
At A Glance Author Kris Contact Kris@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Justin Berk Studio Body Tech Location Gainesville, Florida I already have a total of 12 piercings. I have four lobe piercings in each ear, which I have had for years, my navel, and both nipples. I decided to get something on the upper part of my ear pierced. My friend has had her rook done twice and she didn't die, so I decided on that one.
I called Body Tech in Gainesville, FL to make sure they were open. I have had both nipples and my navel pierced there, so going somewhere else was not an option. Justin Berk is the only person that has pierced, aside from my lobe piercings, so I was happy to hear that he was working tonight. The receptionist told me that he was on break though, so I had about an hour to kill.
I started reading some of the stories on here to help prepare myself. I kept reading all these horror stories of how painful it was. Most of the stories said that it hurt very badly. Several acquaintances had also told me the piercing was really painful. I was getting scared but two of my friends were going with me so I didn't want to chicken out. I've never had a cartilage piercing but have heard many horrible stores about the healing process.
I wasted some time and finally went into the studio. The piercer, Justin, was still on break, so I had to wait for a bit. As each minute ticked by I grew more and more nervous. Luckily I had already paid for it, because I was really starting to get nervous and shaky. Finally Justin came back and took me into the piercing room. Justin is an amazing piercer. He always makes me feel comfortable and relaxed and I have never had trouble with any of my piercings he's done. He is extremely funny and immediately puts me at ease.
He sat me in the chair and told me to relax. He told me that he doesn't mark for the rook so he was just going to do it. I asked him how painful it was, and he told me it was about as bad as a nipple piercing. At that point I wasn't as nervous. I got my second nipple piercing about 6 months ago and it didn't really hurt that bad, so I was ready for another piercing. I know from my past experiences that the time leading up to the piercing is so much worse than the actual experience and I just kept telling myself that as he got everything ready to stab through my poor little ear.
I know everyone's experience is different, and some people have a higher or lower pain tolerance, but honestly, this piercing was not that bad. It needle going though stings a tiny bit, but your adrenaline helps. Putting the jewelry in hurt a bit more than the needle, but was completely tolerable. At Body Tech, the room has mirrors on the walls. If your studio has mirrors also, I would not suggest looking into them while your piercer get the jewelry ready to go in. Seeing a big long needle going through your ear is pretty scary. The sight of it made me flinch more than the needle actually going through. But, I shut my eyes and everything was better. He did have trouble getting the ball on because I have pretty small ears to work on, but he was very gentle. Some tugging was required, but it wasn't even bad enough to make my eyes water. After everything was settled, I had almost no pain. A tiny bit of stinging, but nothing too bad. After about 20 minutes it did start to burn, but about the same amount at a lobe piercing. Now its been almost two hours and I really don't even notice it.
I would suggest keeping your hair up for awhile, because if you put you hair behind your ears you will most likely knock it and hurt yourself. I accidentally brushed it once, but it did not hurt. I was more shocked and scared to be touching it than anything. I'm hoping it heals well. All of my other piercings have healed nicely and quickly. I have heard that cartilage takes a bit longer, but I do take very good care of my new piercings and have high hopes for a speedy process. I have yet to try and sleep, but I made sure to pierce the opposite side of what I usually sleep on and talk on the phone with.
So as for anyone thinking about getting this piercing, I would definitely recommend it. The actual piercing process did not much at all and the pain after is mild, more of just a burning or achy sensation rather than an actual pain. If you live in the Gainesville, Florida area, I highly recommend Body Tech for all your piercing and tattooing needs. Justin Berk is awesome and the other piercer, Matt, is very good also. I have seen Matt pierce several of my friends and he is great. So good luck and happy hole punching! : )