Since I'm only fifteen, the one thing keeping me from getting pierced wasn't the pain or the money; it was my mother. Over the past year and a half, I'd thought about getting my rook, navel, or tragus done, but the eyebrow is what stuck.
At A Glance Author Mackenzie Contact missoptimistical@aol.com When Three months ago Artist Keith Studio Electrik Krayon Tattoo Location Hollywood, Florida After months of pleading, my mother consulted her extremely pierced younger sister on the eyebrow piercing. My aunt informed her that the eyebrow was indeed a very simple and easy to heal piercing. She eventually gave in. My boss at work said it was okay also, just nothing too big or tacky.
I'd wanted to go to Rockabilly, as I'd been there with my friend to get her rook pierced and loved the piercer and the atmosphere, but of course they don't pierce under 16 - even with parental consent. So I asked around and found Electrik Krayon Tattoo. My friend Sara had recently gotten her belly button done there and said they were very clean and professional. I was very nervous as it was not in the best part of Hollywood, but I didn't have too many other options.
So we drove off to Hollywood (of course my little sister had to tag along..) in search of the place. We arrived around 2pm or so, and there were a few guys in their early twenties milling around outside.
I opened the door and was shocked to see the two artists working on tattoos right in the lobby. The people getting tattoos were sprawled across dentist-like chairs, oblivious to my entrance. One of the artists (who later did my piercing) told me he'd be done within a few minutes and to look around. There were tattoo ideas all over the walls to keep me occupied. There were also quite a few signs reminding us that "Tipping is not just a city in China!" When the guy finished the tattoo (Some woman got the words "Daddy's little Girl" on her upper back) he came and greeted my mother, sister, and I. I told him I wanted my eyebrow done. He said that was his specialty. He took our IDs and we filled out the paperwork. He said a ring would be $30, and a barbell would be $40. I opted for the barbell, because I just couldn't (and still can't) see myself with the ring. I just don't like the way it looks.
I wasn't too nervous. He grabbed a barbell, but dropped it on the floor so put it back and grabbed another one. That kind of made me uneasy, because wasn't he going to clean it anyway? So what did it matter if he dropped it? He lead my mother, sister and I into a backroom where they did piercings. Those guys in their early twenties who had previously been outside came and asked if they could watch. Of course I said yes, because I know I would have wanted to watch too. My mom started talking to them and they all kind of ignored me as the piercer (whose name I can't recall) was setting up. We made smalltalk about my other piercings (all on my ears, 4 lobe, 3 cartilage, and all done at clares *lowers head in shame*). He squirted something on the barbell to clean it, and marked the spot on my eyebrow. He didn't exactly ask me if I liked the placement, but I think that's because he saw me glance at a mirror on my own. He put on the clamp, which was just pressure and didn't hurt a t all, and took out a needle that was still in original packaging. He asked if I was ready and I nodded. I was determined not to scream or cry in front of my small audience.
On the count of three he pressed the needle through and surprisingly it didn't hurt too badly at all. It was a tiny sting and nothing more. My mom looked over and keenly observed "You have a needle in your eyebrow!" The guys were all saying "Wow! She didn't even flinch!" and I told him I was ready for him to put the jewelry in. That didn't hurt either. He gave me a vague sheet with aftercare instructions, basically not to play with it too much, and to wash it with anti-bactieral soap. I thanked him, paid him, tipped him 5 dollars, and left. It took less than 10 minutes
I was feeling fine and asked if my mom could drop me at my friend bonnies house. She said yes. Bonnie was thrilled with my new piercing. I wasn't so sure. At that point in time I thought the placement was a little off for me, and that maybe it would look better if it was just a hair over to the left. But I promised myself I would wait a month and if I still didn't like it, I'd take it out.
It didn't take a month for it to grow on me at all. Within 3 days I was in love. I thought the placement was perfect. I guess I was simply adjusting to it those first few days.
My eyebrow hadn't bled at all, and never swelled. It did, however, bruise a bit, but that went away within two weeks or so. Once in a while I got some crusties, but I just washed those away with warm water. I was paranoid about infection, so I was careful never to handle it without washing my hands immediately beforehand. I washed it with Dial soap three times a day for the first month. I never had any problems with it. It really was a great, easy piercing.
Although it's been almost 3 months and completely healed, I haven't changed it yet. Its a simple plain barbell and it matches everything. I think it suits me well. When I do decide to change it, I'll probably have my friend Fernando do it for me. He's not a piercer but he works at a body jewelry place and he knows a lot more about piercings than I do. Then again, I think most people do.
I am so glad I was able to coerce my mother into letting me get the eyebrow done. I really, really like the way it looks. I know I'll eventually have to take it out, grow up, and get a real job. But until then, I'll have fun with it and maybe even get my lip done.