Since I was 13 I wanted to get my tongue pierced. I found it to be an intriguing way to express myself and a way to look different. I had done a lot of research about body piercings. For a Speech project in 10th grade, I did a speech on why home piercing was bad and that's why the age for piercings should be lowered. Everyone in the room knew one day I would have something pierced. For a Christmas present when I was 16 my mom said I could get something pierced. She said yes. When I asked her about getting my tongue pierced she said no. I tried reasoning with her, but failed. I even begged for a tongue piercing yet she said if I said tongue and piercing together once more I wouldn't get anything pierced. But I chose an eyebrow piercing.
At A Glance Author freesmallminds Contact freesmallminds@new.rr.com When Two years ago Artist Burt Studio 3rd Dimension Location Appleton WI I've walked past 3rd Dimension soo many times seeing the cool leopard print couch even when they were still getting ready to open. I convinced my mom to take me to talk to the piercer. Within a few days we went. My mom and I were greeted by the piercer, Burt. I was only worried about one thing, how much it cost and if my mom was going to pay for it. My mom was concerned about the safety of the whole thing, as I was but intensified maybe three times. I half listened in awe of getting my eyebrow pierced.
I was at 3rd Dimension on another occasion, watching my friend Dannie get a tattoo. During a break I saw someone getting their eyebrow pierced. I watched on carefully noting what was happening. The procedure did not look half bad. I was a bit freaked when I saw this "tube" going through the girls eyebrow. But the experience only made me feel better about getting my eyebrow pierced after all she did not cry.
When the day came I was ready to go. I had my friend Dannie and my mom ofcourse, with me to get it done. I was a bit shaky and nervous. I hoped that my first piercing experience would be pleasant. I still decided to watch other people get pierced. As my turn came I was excited to be escorted to the chair. I decided to get mine on my right eyebrow, at the edge of my eyebrow. I loved where it was going to be placed because it was still a lil offbeat for an eyebrow piercing.
I was told to breathe in and out, then hold a breath. I watched from the corner of my eye and was totally in awe. There was not a large amount of pain involved, but what I felt I enjoyed. By the end of my experience I was smiling. My friend Dannie exclaimed that I didn't even flinch as a "huge fucking needle" was put through my eyebrow. She was amazed that I said it didn't hurt. Then I was given a nifty guide on taking care of my piercing and Burt overlooked it with me. He also asked if I had any other questions. I was even given a cell phone number where I could call if something freaky was happening or if I had a question.
Taking care of my piercing was a top priority. Not only to keep it cool looking and infection free, I was proving my mom I could be responsible about something. I cleaned it everyday and tried really hard to keep my fingers off of it. A lot of people at school was checking out my eyebrow. I was a Sophomore and had a lot of people staring at it in disbelief. People were grossed out about how it was sometimes a bit crusty or a bit gooey . After a while people asked, Can you pull on it? When I did it always freaked someone out. It turned out to be a anti-fashion statement but I noticed a few more people that had "seen the light" at least I hope they did.
A couple of weeks later I went into the shop to have it looked at. My piercing was checked out and it was looking good. I was so proud of myself for not getting it infected. Another experience that I had to get used of was walking when it was cold. I found out that cold weather made my eyebrow sting. Winter in Wisconsin was killer on my eyebrow ring while it was fresh. After a few months it did not sting from the cold, thank goodness. Not once did I regret getting my eyebrow pierced.
I would have to say that my piercing was a defining moment in my life. It gave me a way to show the world that I was different and unique. I've used body modification as a way to release some of my anger. I always feel a lot happier if I know that getting a piercing is in my future. I also have full respect for my piercer Burt and all the other people that make 3rd Dimension what it is, a great and safe place to get something pierced. I now have my tongue, eyebrow and daith pierced with a few more in the works, yet not a vertical tragus because my ear is too small. But there are a lot of options to explore.