When I finally decided to get a facial piercing and which one it would be, the extent of my piercing experience was having had my ears pierced at the mall when I was 16. I had started to stretch my ears and could not help but admire people who had creative piercings. I felt that if I could get over my fear of pain that I too would enjoy having more 'permanent' jewelry.
At A Glance Author Jen Contact Jen@bme.anon IAM jenr8r When Five years ago Artist 'Stainless Sharon' Studio Tattoo Peter Location Amsterdam, Netherlands A little background. As a long standing jewelry fanatic who never took off my armloads of silver, I longed to have metal through my skin. As a long time wimp who has never broken a bone or sustained serious injury I feared the potential pain of piercing. At this point I was hanging out with people who were in the piercing and tattoo industry and formulating in my mind what I would choose for myself as a first professional piercing. I was reassured that the actual pain would be quick and not anything to fear. I took my sweet time mulling over all the possibilities, reading BME and looking at galleries to decide what I felt would flatter my face.
I woke up one morning, my back felt stiff and my belly was cramping and I overall was aware of the fact that I wasn't getting any younger and that I went through pain anyway just being alive. I decided that today was the day to get the piercing, I had the balls to face it. It was rainy and I caught the ferry to town and rode over to Tattoo Peter on the Nieuwebrugsteeg. Oh crap, they didn't open for another hour. So I rode my bike around the corner and had a smoke and a juice and chatted with some of the regulars about my plan. They were encouraging and wanted to see it after. It was time, rode back and Sharon wouldn't be in for another hour. Hmmmm. I thought WHY? Just when I am geared up its taking forever. The hour passed, more smoke more juice. I went back and she smiled and looked surprised that I had finally decided. We filled out some paperwork and she brought me upstairs to the piercing room. I was nervous and chatty. She laughed a bit at my nervousness, but really cal med me down.
We talked and I told her that I wanted the piercing to set in the little nook where my lip meets my gums at the bottom as there was a natural pocket. I deduced that it might prevent gum erosion and would avoid my teeth. She agreed and had me rinse twice with Listerine. She said the listerine was the worst of the process. After that she gently scrubbed my chin and dried it. Carefully she studied my face and made a mark with a toothpick dipped in gentian violet. Then she had me go through a bunch of funny faces to make sure that it was a mark that would be placed well. I checked it and agreed that it looked fine. I was told to relax a sit back in the dentist type chair and she placed the clamps on my lip. She pulled it down and back and forth a few times to make sure it was correct, asked ready(?) and had me breathe. It pinched as the needle passed through my lip, but only pinched. I was amazed. For this I waited so long in fear? Tssss. She said, "well the worst is over, now a ll I have to do is to place the jewelry." Apparently she pierced from 14g and inserted a 14g externally threaded stud, because I felt each tread, go through, bbbrrrrriiip. I droolingly slurred out, "dash wush the worshst." She chuckled and cleaned me up. Then she handed me a mirror to which I was smiling like a fool. I had done it, she had done it and I had crossed a hurdle in my life. We went over aftercare which was essentially, rinse after anything has been in your mouth, carry Listerine with you and to use Sebamed anti-bacterial soap to clean the outside of the piercing. She covered how to make a lather in my hands and to apply the lather not the soap itself, and reminded me to wash my hands first before any cleaning. And she reminded me to keep my hands off it, and lastly how to remove the lymph after it had softened from gently soaking. So much to pay attention to, I thought at the time. I thanked and paid her and left.
I was in "world five". I started walking around and visiting some people just absolutely proud that I done it. This little ball on my chin meant so much to me. Then I realized, hey, where is my bike??? I had left it at the studio and walked way a ways and forgotten it there. HA! I had a new mantra, Listerine and Sebamed and q-tips. (Now it would be Biotene and sea-salt) I followed the aftercare as directed and had no problems and barely any discomfort with it. And, few months later started experimenting with different thread-ons for fun. Years later I still love this piercing and hope to never remove it. I have since switched to a shorter 1/4" post and ordered an internally threaded hi-polish titanium piece for daily wear to alleviate the weight of wearing an 8mm ball daily. I am very grateful to Sharon for a wonderful and professional experience. If it hadn't been so great, I might not be where I am today with my love of piercings.