At A Glance
Author	Sarah
Contact	Sarah@bme.anon
When	Six months ago
Artist	charlie
Studio	off ya tree
Location	Queen street mall, Brisbane, Australia

My father had never really been fond of body modification. So, it came to me as a surprise when he allowed me to get a piercing for my sixteenth birthday.

After lengthy discussions with friends, looking up various piercing photos and experiences – I fell in love.

Then there it was, the vertical labret.

I loved everything about it. Also, it isn't the most common piercing you will find here, most people seem to choose snakebite, lip rings and labrets for lip piercings.

I didn't want something boring and stock standard.

I waited a few days, just to ensure I wouldn't back out or change my mind.

I was itching to get it done.

I met up with a guy I had just met a few days before, I considered this our second date.

He took me around and showed me a few parlors, but the staff at off ya tree made me feel so comfortable and it just had a fun atmosphere to the place, I simply had to get my piercing there.

This wasn't my first, nor my last piercing. Prior to this I had my navel, beauty spot, nose and ears all pierced.

But this didn't stop the nervous adrenaline most people experience.

Charlie my piercer was really cool about everything, made sure I was feeling ok and fully understood what was going to happen. While making general chit chat about his experience as a body piercer in America, and talking about music or any other subjects that came to mind, he set up all of the tools needed.

I looked down towards the little tray, everything set out neatly, shining in the bright light. That's when it hit me. I was about to have a needle shoved through my bottom lip.

Through all of that fat and sinew. I became nervous, but I didn't want to let it show.

After examining my lip, Charlie told me if my lips were any bigger he couldn't fit the clamp on properly. (his idea of a compliment /joke I suppose)

That didn't make things any easier.

After we both agreed that the placement of the dots was straight, and centered I sat back down and waited.

Then, the familiar cool touch of clamps surrounded my lip. One thing I have never understood is why people say the clamp hurts the most.

To this day I say the needle going through your flesh does hurt a lot more. But each to their own I suppose.

Back to the point.

Charlie told me to close my eyes as he lined the needle up, although he didn't have to they were already clamped shut with fear.

He told me "take a deep breath and I'll pierced on three.... One *pierce* .. two....*insert jewelry* .. three *all finished*

I looked up at him and in a sincere voice I said "you lied to me. Thank you!" with a grin on my face.

i must say, that was the worst pain I've endured whilst being pierced, but it only lasted for a few seconds, then it was fine.

No where near as the after care for tongue.

I looked into the mirror, in a slight daze. I felt as if all of my birthdays had come at once.

I loved my piercing!

I couldn't stop smiling.

But, lucky for me I took ibuprofen a few minutes before getting pierced to help reduce swelling.

I made my way back to the counter from the piercing rooms, which somewhat represent a hospital ward which I found cute, and very fitting for the occasion.

A total of $80 AUS for such a beautiful piercing done by a great piercer.

I couldn't have been happier, or so I thought.

After my dad left, Adam and I went to the park, and a few hours later we were going out!

We are still together, near on seven months, and we live together.

Healing for this piercing was a breeze. The first night it was a bit tender, but nothing over the top. I could still eat, drink, and talk etc with little or no pain.

I ritualistically applied my pro tatt gel, when I woke up, before I slept, and after eating.

The next week I went back for a checkup, I was on track if not ahead of schedule! Charlie wanted to take a photo of my piercing so back into the room we went.

After a few minutes and a few snapshots, it was all over. My lip was fine, Charlie had his photos of what he described as an exotic piercing – smiles all round.

I have had this piercing for seven months now, and I have only had one drama.

I tend to sleep walk and talk. Some how I took out all of my piercing jewelry and put it on the table next to me during the night. When I woke up it had almost healed but with a fair amount of pain I pushed my bar back through. Not something I recommend.

Everywhere I go, people I meet all ask the same set of questions.

"Did it hurt?"

"Is that through your lip?"

"What's it called?"

And I love it. I love having a piercing that isn't very common in my surroundings, but I'm afraid I set off a bit of a trend in my old city.

At least I'm original.

As far as I know.

I highly recommend this piercing; I still love it as much now as I did then.