I actually live in Kansas City. I have several other piercings, which were either done in Kansas City or in Berkeley, California, where I used to live. I'd been thinking about getting my eyebrow pierced for a while, and since I'm here in New Orleans on business, I thought this would be the perfect time to get it done.
At A Glance Author Kelly Becker When It just happened Artist Jen Studio Rings of Desire Location New Orleans Usually before I get any piercing, I do a little reconnaissance mission to the studio to check out their procedures, and ask questions. I highly recommend this to anyone thinking about getting a piercing, because it really helps put me at ease. I'm glad I did this mission, because I'd been planning on getting my piercing done today (Tuesday), when my conference was over. But Rings of Desire is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so I got it done yesterday instead.
As I toured the studio, I was very impressed to see an edition of Rolling Stone on the wall, with an article on Lenny Kravitz. Apparently he had his nipple and nostrils done by Elayne Angel, the owner of Rings of Desire. And he enjoys the place so much that he's been known to come in on occasion and help relax customers getting their new piercings. He even autographed a photo, saying "my nipple and nostrils thank you." I knew when I saw this that I would be getting my eyebrow pierced at this studio.
Jen is an extremely knowledgeable piercer. She has several mods, including an etching on the back of her neck. Although some have said she looks "scary" she immediately put me at ease, telling me about cost and expected pain level. I was told that the pain level would be about as much as an ear piercing, so that didn't sound too bad.
Yesterday I went over after work to finally get my eyebrow pierced. I filled out the form, which asks about any allergies or physical ailments. It also asked me the last time I'd eaten. Since this was at 6, and the last time I'd eaten was at 12:30, she told me to get something to eat, explaining that they usually only pierce those who have eaten in the past two hours. Although I wasn't thrilled about having to wait even longer to get my piercing done, I went a couple of doors down and had a cup of rice pilaf.
My stomach full, I went back to get the piercing. She'd already asked me if I would prefer a curved bar or a ring (I'd chosen a bar since it was lower-profile and somewhat more professional-looking), so she ushered me into the procedure room, sterilized jewelry in hand. The room is very similar to a doctor's office: tile floors, pristine countertops, and a metal cart containing various medical instruments (forceps, needle, gauze, etc.). The main difference is two of the four walls are mirrored sliding doors.
After discussing the procedure with me, Jen took a very fine-tipped Sharpie marker and marked where she thought the best placement for my piercing would be. I walked over, looking into one of the mirrors thoughtfully. I'd envisioned my eyebrow piercing more on the outside of my brow than she'd placed the dots, so I asked her to move it farther back. She did, but I still didn't feel like it was far back enough. Still, I said it would work, and I sat down. She then gave me the pen, saying that since it had touched my skin, it would not be re-used on anyone else. None of my other piercers has ever done this, and that put me even further at ease.
After pinning my bangs back, she treated my brow with iodine. Then she pinched at my brow--I guess to desensitize it a bit before she applied the forceps. I've read in other reviews that the worst part of the piercing is the application of the forceps, and I do agree with this. Still, I wouldn't call it pain. More of just a minor discomfort. And I have a fairly low tolerance for pain. Then she told me to take a couple of deep breaths, and to make sure to keep my eyes closed since I was going to have a needle very close to my eye. I obliged, and then she told me to inhale deeply, and on the exhale she put the needle through my brow. The piercing itself was a very tiny pinprick sensation; I didn't wince, or cry out, or anything. Jen stepped away from a moment, making sure to tell me to not open my eyes yet since I still had a needle sticking through my brow. At that, my eyelids fluttered a bit, and I felt the odd sensation as my eyelashes rubbed against the needle.
Then she said I would feel the jewelry going through the piercing, and it was done. Carefully I stood up and looked in the mirror. I was so glad I'd gone with Jen's instincts and kept the placement of the piercing where she had it, as it was perfectly placed.
As I said earlier, I have several other piercings: tongue, navel, and nipple (along with two in each ear). By far, this is the best piercing experience I've ever had. She sent me off with a mixture of sea salt to mix with water to cleanse the piercing, and a bottle of medical-grade soap to wash once or twice a day. Since I'm staying at a hotel, I asked her to give me a few pieces of gauze to apply the sea salt mixture, and she gladly gave me some.