I first became interested in body mods about five years ago, since then I have been somewhat addicted. I have acquired 12 piercings and one magnificent tattoo. The most recent addition is my 16 gauge vertical labret. I had been looking at pics on bme for years and I always thought they were so cool... so much more original than a boring old labret or lip ring. The biggest thing that turned me away from getting it done for so long was the fear of the scarring it may leave on my lip if it rejected. I love my lips and I would be devastated if there was scarring on them. So I poked around in ear piercings for a while. I got my tragus done, my rook, a helix, my daith and a bunch of lobe holes done. Well, my ears were then successfully decorated... they didn't need any more, they were gorgeous. That kinda made me sad, that project was done. So I turned my focus once again to the gorgeous lip piercing I had oogled in years previous. I thought about the scarring and decided that the risk was worth it. As long as I get a good run out of it, I am willing to accept any consequences that may occur. I did my research and decided that this was the right piercing for me.
At A Glance Author karma-maker Contact bobs_56@hotmail.com When A week ago Artist Emily Studio Pair-o-dice Location Victoria, BC I had been to this place called Pair-o-dice with some of my friends when they were getting piercings. I really liked the people who pierced there and the environment, it was very clean and happy. The morning of the day I was going to go in I decided that I should probably make my mother aware of the fact that I was going to return with another piece of metal in my head. She was not so impressed and needed a full explanation of my reasoning behind wanting to do this. Eventually I think I did convince her that I had thought this through... although she did bring up the oh-so faithful point, "what do you think that will look like on your wedding day?" The ultimate mother point I think. But whatever I don't really care anymore I figure she doesn't have to like it. So I grabbed my friends and we headed down to Victoria for our newest piercing adventure. I had a friend getting her bridge pierced and another getting her ear done. Getting pierced with friends is so much fun, be in pain together, share the experience.
So talked to Emily for a bit, she made me aware of all the risks of a vertical labret compared to a normal labret or lip piercing. She told me that a vertical labret piercing is considered a surface piercing and therefore it has a higher chance of rejection. This thought made me very paranoid in the future weeks, but we'll get to that later. So once the dots were placed I lay down on the table and Emily put on the clamp. She said that it would feel very uncomfortable... I don't think it felt like anything, it didn't bother me. The needle did though... hehe. That part came next. She got out the needle and said to take a deep breath in and that she would pierce on my exhale. I breathed and she did. The sensation of the needle passing through my lip was very interesting. I could feel the layers as the needle moved through it and it seemed like it took a long time to get the needle all the way through. I suppose it is a large chunk of flesh to move through quickly but I had never really thought about it before that point. Well once the needle was through there was not much to it. I didn't even feel her putting in the barbell I think I was a little preoccupied by the experience and my friend's howls. But kit was good. I got up and took a look at my newest hole and immediately fell in love with it. The barbell was the perfect size and I really loved the placement, the whole thing kind of completed my face.
Since I got it done it had been about 2 and a ½ weeks, I have had so many compliments and many interested stares. I love it, it's so funny when you see someone judging you, and then the figure out that you're their child teacher, and completely crack... way to much fun. I was so paranoid about it rejecting so I was watching very closely. I went in to see Emily a couple times out of fear, but her happy reassuring words made everything all better every time. Anyway, for anyone who has been thinking about this piercing I would say go for it. As long as you are willing to deal with the swelling for a little bit and relearn how to drink without a straw you should have no issues. As for healing this piercing has been the easiest piercing to heal and clean out of any I have gotten so far. I have had almost literally no pain. hehe. almost. I have caught it a couple time while I was sleeping a woken up with some nice crusted blood on my lip and he faint recollection of excruciating pain during the night, but its not so bad. You learn how to sleep with out injuring to yourself. Overall this piercing has been awesome so easy and I love the way it looks and makes me feel. The experience has been wonderful and a lot of fun.