I am not a stranger to body modifications. I have been getting piercings and tattoos for over ten years now and love everything that I have had done. Getting a vertical labret though is one that I have wanted for a long time, but had not gotten. I had talked about it with my husband (at the time he was not keen on having a ball on my top lip), talking with friends (ouch! why would you want to do that?). Despite all of this though, it was always in the back of my mind.
At A Glance Author mizzbatz Contact mizzbatz@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Chris X Studio HTC Location Phoenix, AZ The other night at dinner, my husband and I were talking and it was decided that we would both get pierced. We headed down to HTC, where I have gotten all my piercings done, and went in. The thing that I love about HTC is that the shop is so very clean. Everything sparkles, there is no dust, and it smells clean. The staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable. Chris was there and greeted us when we walked in. He asked what we wanted done and I told him that I wanted a vertical labret. He grinned and got out the paperwork to fill out. I joked that at this point I should just have a stamp made up since the only thing that changes on the form is the piercing and the date.
Once everything was filled out, we went back into the room. He had set up all his supplies and once inside began all the final preparations. He changed gloves many times (if anything is very very meticulous when it comes to piercing) and began to tell me what he was going to do. He removed my labret I had in and cleaned off my lip. Using a toothpick dipped in gentian violet he placed the markings to make sure that it would be perfectly placed and had me check his markings. Once I agreed that the marks looked good, it was up to lay down on the chair and wait. Chris always joked around with you while you are getting ready and when it is time, his tone changes to being very soothing and calming. I started with my deep breathing while his lined up the needle, then it was the check that I was ready, breath in... breath out... big breath in... and out. On the out out the needle went through, bottom up, exiting through my lower lip. A tiny pinch and follow through with the barbell. It is a titanium barbe ll with push in ends (no threading at all) and very light to wear. I got up to look at it and it was perfect! It looks like it always should have been there. My husband really liked it as well.
We went over cleaning instructions (sea salt soaks twice a day, stay away from lip products like chap stick, lipstick, etc.) We got home that first night and I did my soak. It seemed to be doing pretty good. No bleeding, so huge swelling and it did not hurt at all. The next morning it was a bit tender with a touch of dried blood around the top ball. I rinsed it carefully in the shower and when I got out I did another soak. There was a little more swelling in the morning and the beginnings of some bruising. I went to brush my teeth and discovered very quickly that mint toothpaste and a fresh labret are a really bad combo (some apricot Tom's of Maine toothpaste solved that issue). By the end of the day my lip was quite tender, but a long soak really helped. Yesterday when I got up, the skin had peeled a little bit and there was some pronounced purple bruising right under the top ball on my lip. I have been very gentle with the piercing, making sure to soak it well, keep it clean, and found that usin g straws for right now is the best thing.
I am really happy that I got this done. I have wanted it for such a long time. I was going to do it last year when my friend took me to get my labret done, but chickened out. I was afraid that it would hurt (it is my lip!) After reading about it here though I wanted it more and more. The anticipation is what can kind of mess with your head a bit and as always I was pleasantly surprise at how little it really hurt. The aftercare is so easy and I am hoping to keep this piercing for some time. My two daughters really like it (they are 5 and almost 2).
I love HTC and it is the place to go to if you are in the Phoenix metro area. They always take the time to answer all of your questions, and never make you feel silly for asking. They go through all the details of your piercing and truly make the expierience a joy to go through.