Well I had been thinking of getting my lip pierced for a while. I really didn't like the look of a normal labret (except with a CBR in), so I was planning on getting two (one on each side of my bottom lip). While I was browsing through the BME experiences here, I came across the vertical labrets. How freaking cool! Not only was it a fairly non-trend piercing, but it looked great!
At A Glance Author Happiness_in_Slavery Contact Happiness_in_Slavery@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Roger Studio New Age Tattoos Location Springfield, IL After a week or so later I went to New Age Tattoos with a friend to get it done. When I walked in, the atmosphere was great. It had a clean inside appearance, and everyone was really laid back. I let the girl at the front know what I wanted done, and she had me sign the release and present my ID so she could make a copy. Then I was ready to go.
I followed the piercer into a small room with a window into the main room. He told me my friend couldn't come in, but he could watch through the window if he wanted. I felt very at ease. I was still nervous, but he was joking around and talking to me which really helped me calm down. He put on his gloves and began looking for the perfect placement. He explained to me how the middle of the top lip doesn't line up with the middle of the bottom lip, since no one is completely asymetrical. We decided to line it with the top lip, so it wouldn't look off center.
He told me to lean back in the chair, and he put on the clamp, informing me that this would be the worst part. I laughed and told him I had been pierced enough to know that the clamp was indeed NOT the worst part. He snickered and told me it helps to calm people. I closed my eyes and he told me to take deep breaths in and out, then he pushed the needle through. It hurt alot, but luckily, I had presumed that it would hurt that much, so it didn't come as a surprise. I just kept my facial expression neutral as he put in the jewelry and tightened it (I figured it would do me no good to flinch or move, hehe). The tightening did hurt alot, because he had to kind of twist my lip sideways to get a good grip on the piercing. Then he was done. He gave me a mirror to see it. It looked better than I could have hoped for! I could have hugged the guy!
Anyway, he told me I needed to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and cigarette smoke, which I had no problem doing (except for the caffeine!). He also told me I needed to avoid kissing and oral sex (which is a given with any "mouth" piercing). Smiling, I tipped him and told them I would DEFINITELY be back. Next time for a tattoo!
Cleaning it is fairly simple, however, since not much of the barbell is "hanging over", it's harder than say, a ring through your ear or bellybutton. I've been cleaning it by soaking it 2-3 times a day in a sea salt water mixture then rinsing it well. Usually I have to use q-tips to gently clean off any crusties or grossness that has gathered on the barbell since the saltwater only loosens it, but doesn't get it totally off.
For the first few days, it REALLY hurt. The second day, I went to the local strip club, which wasn't good at all. The smoke caused it to bleed nonstop for about an hour. My fault for going into a smokey club during healing time! It's been about a week and a half since then, and it's doing great. I had huge problems eating and drinking things for the first few days, but I'm mastering it. I've found it helps to use a straw for drinking ANYTHING, and to cut all food into little pieces. I bet I looked funny cutting up my sandwiches to eat them with a fork while at restaurants, but it's better than dragging a toasted bun over the top of the barbell. :D
So far, out of all my piercings, this is my favorite. Just a thought for any of you thinking of getting a vertical labret, remember that because of the placement it does get in the way. Also, if you have a tongue piercing, the bottom of your barbell will hit the top ball of your piercing and it hurts! I figured that out too late. Also, this piercing takes a long time to fully heal. If you don't mind any of that, then I seriously recommend getting one! And if you're in the Springfield area you should go by New Age. It was definitely one of the best piercing experiences I've ever had.