After the 9/11/01 attacks, I really started to think about all the things in my life that I hadn't yet done that I wanted to do. Granted, eyebrow piercing wasn't at the top of the priority list BUT, it was one of those things on my list that I decided could be addressed ASAP.
At A Glance Author Kim Contact Kim@bme.anon Artist Kevin Jump Studio Creative Modern Body Art Location Covington, KY I had fantasized about having my eyebrow pierced for a couple of years but thought that piercing was just for those brave souls who didn't have any "grown up" responsibilities (i.e. professional jobs, home mortgages, etc., etc.). About 2 months after the attacks, I decided to throw all my ridiculous excuses out the window and do what I'd always wanted. So . . . .
After doing some research on the internet and asking some acquaintances about their piercing experiences, I decided to go to Creative Modern Body Art at Mainstrasse Village in Covington, KY. Quite a few people had recommended Kevin Jump to me so I felt secure in my choice of shops. When I walked in, the first thing I noticed is how clean the shop is. It's absolutely immaculate. Secondly, the staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I was given an information form to fill out and sign, which I quickly did. Then, I had to choose my jewelry.
All the pros and cons of the different jewelry choices and sizes were thoroughly explained to me while I waited my turn in line. I decided to go with a 16 gauge surgical steel captive bead ring. I felt completely comfortable asking questions and the staff never made me feel like I was an idiot for asking the most basic of questions. In fact, they were extremely professional and helpful. They made me feel so relaxed about the whole process that by the time it was my turn to get pierced I was actually totally relaxed.
Kevin called me back to the room where he does the piercings, which looks exactly like a doctor's office. We chatted for a minute or two, then he explained the process completely. He put on the first of many pairs of surgical gloves and cleaned/prepped my eyebrow. He then explained that with my fair complexion, there was a high probability that I would have some bruising that would be visible around my piercing. I told him that I was prepared for that. Due to my sickeningly pale Welsh-Irish complexion, every little bump causes me to have vicious bruising.
Kevin then explained the sterility of the forceps and needle. I never had any qualms about the sterility or cleanliness or safety of the instruments. Everything he used was brand new and was taken out of its packaging in front of me. Kevin changed his gloves every time he touched anything at all. He seriously must've used 7 or 8 pairs of gloves during my piercing. I was surprised at the obvious dedication to sterility that he has.
He explained how exactly he was going to do the piercing and he asked me to relax and focus on my breathing. He told me to take deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth, which I did. He marked my brow with a Sharpie and let me check the marks in the mirror to make sure they were where I wanted them. Then, he told me to keep the Sharpie because they never reuse them.
Then, he placed the forceps on my eyebrow. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. He told me to take deep breaths and that he was going to pierce my eyebrow on my next exhalation. It was over so quick I thought that he still hadn't done it. He told me he was done and that he just had to put the jewelry in, which I never even felt. The whole thing was so absolutely painless. I could not believe I had ever thought it would hurt. Seriously, and you ladies out there know what I mean, the pain involved with getting a pap smear is about 100 times worse.
After the piercing was done, Kevin went over the cleaning and aftercare procedures to me. He said that I had to leave the ring in for at least 6-8 weeks to allow for proper healing time. He also told me to use sea salt soaks to ease the irritation and speed up healing.
So finally, at the ripe old age of 30, I got my right eyebrow pierced. And I love it. I wish I'd done it so much sooner. But, better late than never.
I think that anything a person can do to feel good about themselves or more comfortable with themselves, they should go for it ! Life is definitely too short to worry about other people's hang ups or opinions. This world is all about embracing your life as a gift and enjoying it while you can !!!!