Today being friday, i just got pierced on Monday. All of you who want to get this done, I highly recommend it. I am the biggest needle wus I have ever met, and I didn't pass out or get into hysterics. I'll give you guys an example of how weak my stomach actually is. I had to get tested for allergy shots in April, which means I got poked with a very small needle about 20 times on the same area of my arm. For those who don't know, the needle just barely goes under the skin. Point being: I actually turned greenish-white and fainted during that, and it didn't hurt at all! What a dork!
At A Glance Author BritBaby When A week ago Artist Chris Studio Dogstar Tattoo Company Location Durham, NC USA My mom, my aunt and i went to Dogstar together, and i was so nervous that my mom had to answer the questions the guy in the front was asking me. He called Chris out of the back, and all 3 of us had the- huge-scary-looking-guy-covered-with-tattoos stereotype in our minds. actually, the guy was like 5'3'', no heavier that 125 lbs., and wore a septum piercing very well. He was such a cutie. My mom and my aunt could not get over his stretched lobes, which weren't even that big. They were like, "OH MY GOD! That hole goes all the way through your ear!" God was i embarrassed.
He kept telling me before we even got into the room to just relax; it was pretty obvious i was making him nervous too. So he led my mom, my aunt, and me to his room and told me to have a seat on the table (that was identical to one you'd find in your local doctor's office). It seemed to take forever to get the stuff ready, but I'd rather wait forever and know that all the equipment was cleaned properly and I was safe from any diseases than to get it over with and end up with gangrene 2 days later. Chris told me that while AIDS only lasts a few minutes once out of the human body (if its lucky), but hepatitis could last up to 2 weeks if not sterilized. And wiping with alcohol just doesn't cut it. Gross, huh?
He cleaned the area with some stuff and pulls out his portfolio. FINALLY, chris put the clamps on me after being satisfied with the placement of the sharpie dots. I held my aunt's hand so tightly even after it was done, I'm surprised I didn't cause nerve damage. From the moment he said he was putting those things on, my eyes stayed closed until the barbell was screwed in and he was cleaning the bit of blood off. Here's what happened: as he started to put the needle through, the clamps slipped off and clanged on the floor! I don't know how it happened because they were tightened and ready to go by that time. He told me what the noise was, and I thought I was gonna get up and chicken out right there. But then he freehanded it the rest of the way and made his marks. He also told me that that had never happened to him before. I think the 3 of us made him more nervous than he let on (oops). After the needle was through, my eyes still closed of course, Chris asked my aunt a couple times if she was ok and if she needed to puke, to do it in the trash can. He said it jokingly, but she must have turned a ghastly color or something while she was holding my hand. When we were done, I had the urge to hug him and tell him I loved him; that's how happy I was with my experience.
During the procedure, Chris did an excellent job by keeping his cool, and assuring us that I was gonna be okay, and it didn't hurt! Because he didn't freak out, we didn't freak out. I'm gonna do my best to describe the feeling of this piercing. It felt like someone with fingernails pinched me kinda hard and very abruptly. After the initial pain, it feels more like a burning throb that's a little more annoying than anything else. The pain is all mental! My brow was swollen the tiniest bit the first day, and I have a small scab from the clamps scratching me when they fell. Other that that, there has been no bleeding, bruising, puffiness, or crusting so far! I'm in love.
Here's some advice i can give you guys:
- NEVER go and get a piercing on a whim. once you've picked a place, if you feel uncomfortable at any time, leave. YOUR HEALTH COULD BE AT RISK.
- The key to getting through it is not to think about how the needle will look as its being pushed through, etc. No negative thoughts!
- If you are in doubt as to whether or not to do it, GO GET IT DONE! If you don't like it, you can always take it out. You'll hate yourself if you keep chickening out.
- DO NOT touch your piercing! Its basically an open wound, and all kinds of infections could get in there if your or your friends' grubby hands come into contact with it. Nothing personal, but its best to let alone. When cleaning, wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before touching. You should have some of the stuff as part of the aftercare anyway.
- Don't go get pierced when you're sick. Its not fair to anyone who has to risk catching what you have. Its not fair to the piercing either, because your white blood cells will already be busy fighting off your sickness, so they can't completely focus on your hole. In other words, you won't be as likely to heal in the fastest amount of time.
- Make sure you leave a tip if you like the job, its highly appreciated!
- If the waiting room smells a little like antiseptic, that's a good thing. Sterility is key.
- Make sure your piercer goes through and shows you the unopened supplies before tearing into them.
- If you pluck/wax your brows, make sure you do this a few days in advance so your brows look good for a while after the piercing; you can't do it again until its healed (although I have plucked a few strays). Chris told me its always a little tricky with the brow line for piercing the females, so you want it to be defined when you go. I wouldn't recommend doing both in one day, waxing and plucking makes the skin sensitive and a little swollen in that area. OUCH.
- READ the damn directions on the aftercare pamphlet! Chris said people call him with questions that are right on that paper he gives them before they leave. I just want to save you from wasting your piercer's time and looking like a dumb ass.
- If you have any other legitimate questions, stop by or call and talk to your piercer. Its their job to make you feel confident in their expertise.
- Chris is a great piercer, so if you're ever in the Duke University area, I suggest paying him or T a visit at Dogstar.