I had always wanted an eyebrow piercing. It was a strange primitive urge that had always nagged at the back of my mind in my younger years. I thought it looked quite good, drawing attention to my impossibly blue eyes. My parents, being quite liberal, decided to let me go ahead and get it done. My mother actually encourages piercings and tattooes because she believes it's a very strong form of personal expression. I had anticipated this day for YEARS, and when I actually made an appointment, I was filled with utter glee. I counted the days up to my appointment.
At A Glance Author Nick Contact nk@uselesstechnology.com Artist PJ Studio Energy Tattoo Location Santa Barbara, CA. So the big day came. I stepped through the doors and on to the checkered linoleum floor of Energy Tattoo. I rubbed my lips with the back of my hand and cracked my knuckles. (Nervous tic.) I had no clue what to expect. I greeted a rather intimidating juggernaut behind the counter and said I had an appointment. Tattoo covered biceps the size of Chicago reached over and checked a clipboard. "Nick?" The Juggernaut grunted behind nicotine stained teeth. "That would be me," I managed to sputter, rubbing sweaty palms against my jeans. He called to the piercer and I relaxed a bit. The piercer came out of the back room and I was pleased to find he was an average sized guy, well dressed. He introduced himself as "PJ" and told me a little about himself and piercing. He ushered me into the piercing room which was very clean and seperated by a cheesecloth drape. I sat in the piercing chair and tried to relax. "Hey, I'm PJ and I'll be sticking a needle into you today." Ha ha. I smiled grimly and we discussed the procedure, aftercare and other questions I had. I told him what I had heard about nerve damage and he told me not to worry, that it could only happen if the piercing was very deep. This relieved me sufficiently. When all formalities were aside I informed him that I would like a 16g CBR and he nodded, opening up a package. I watched him carefully, still paranoid and expecting cleanliness. He took out the tools, very carefully, put on latex gloves and marked my eyebrow with a black pen. I checked the mirror and informed him that it was good. He then told me he was going to count to 3 and on 3, he would slide the needle through. I nodded, my stomach churning. He clamped my 'brow and I smiled weakly. One. I dug my nails into the chair arm rests. At this point I was beginning to question the validity of my decision. Two. I gritted my teeth and expected the worse, shutting my eyes. I imagined searing agony coarsing through my face. Three. What? Huh? He laughed and told me to turn around. I did, there was a 16g needle in my eyebrow. I laughed. A kind of sick joy flooded through my veins. The needle in my eyebrow excited me. I felt a small tingling of sexual excitement at being penetrated by a needle. He then took out the needle and thrust a bag of M&M's in my hands. He told me they would raise my blood sugar. Obediently, I began to wolf them down. I started eating and got VERY light headed. (I have very low blood pressure and am prone to passing out.) He saw the color drain from my face and got me a cup of water which I promptly downed. I managed to stave off vomiting or passing out as he put the ring in. He then tightened it and stepped back. "Check it out, man." I swiveled quickly. There in my right eyebrow was a 16g CBR. This is perhaps a defining moment in my adolescence. It marked the first of what I hope is to be many piercings. I grinned and felt a pleasant shiver run down my back. I thanked him again, payed, and left. The people at school were sure to notice. And they did. I was and still am, the only male with facial piercings at my school of 2000. I'm not sure whether I like or dislike that fact, but it doesn't matter. My piercing inspires self confidence in me and that's what's important. I love my piercing and I love myself for having it done. It also doesn't hurt to stand out in a crowd.
It was a very good experience for me, I have since gotten 3 more piercings from PJ. It's been 5 months and my eyebrow ring has healed fine. I was very obedient about cleaning it twice a day and I was on antibiotics during the healing process for something else, so I'm sure that helped. I cannot encourage you people enough TO KEEP YOUR PIERCINGS CLEAN. I think most infections are because people get lazy. IT IS A WOUND, YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT CLEAN. I plan to change to some acrylic jewlery at some point. I strongly suggest getting an eyebrow piercing. They are very low hassle and attractive. Getting a piercing is a very defining experience. It teaches you about yourself: Your pain threshold, your reaction under pressure, your true desire, and a myriad of other subconsciouss things that you might not find out about yourself otherwise. Personally, I can't wait to get more piercings. What a thrill. ( If you're in the SB area, I highly suggest Energy, they are very clean, kind, and professional. )