In scanning over the web, constantly looking for piercings I'd probably never have the chance to get, one grabbed my attention.
At A Glance Author Rebecca Contact Rebecca@bme.anon When It just happened Studio Dog Pound Location Fayetteville, NC You see everyday people walking around with labrets, it looks nice on some people, but hardly anyone that I've seen here has a vertical labret. There's just something more elaborate about a vertical labret versus just a tiny stud sticking out below your lip.
It was my 19th birthday and I had just lost my job. I knew I should be looking, and nobody really wants to hire someone who looks like a wanna-be freak. Nonetheless, I decided that soon, I'd be too old to do this. Now was the right time, considering that I haven't had a piercing in about 3 years.
Despite the nagging from the parents, I hesitantly went to the Dog Pound. By the sounds of it, I wasn't so sure I wanted one of these guys touching my lips, let alone sticking a needle through it. But as I've heard good things from other customers, I trusted in them.
I waited around the house for awhile. The longer I waited, the more nervous I became. Each piercing always feels like the first. It's always something new, something exciting. Soon, I couldn't take it anymore, it was time to go and get it over with. I had waited long enough for this.
It seemed like forever but we finally made it there. I looked around carefully, as I've never been in the place. Mostly just a bunch of guys talking, and goofing off. Seemed almost like a fun job to have. Besides, I always felt the most comfortable in a piercing studio. I just don't know that I could handle putting a needle in someone else's body.
After carefully looking through the selection of jewelry, the piercer recommended a small, plain, curved barbell. The other was a shorter, blue barbell for when the swelling went down.
My boyfriend went with me. He has no piercings of his own other than his ear, and has never been with me for any of my other piercings. So both my boyfriend and I followed the piercer back to the room. He carefully dotted my lip with the pen. After agreeing upon the placement, I sat back in the chair, nervous, awaiting the dreaded the clamps. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. Though I've done this a number of times before, I wasn't sure I could handle seeing the needle go through me. From what my boyfriend told me, I was shaking a little, so he put his hand on top of mine. I felt the needle go in slightly, I hardly felt anything. And then, it went through. It's always a little worse going through the last bit of tissue. My lip was throbbing, the needle still hanging from my lip. Before I knew it, the jewelry was through. I stood up to take a look, it was beautiful! He asked if I was dizzy, or if my lip was throbbing. My lip was throbbing, but no dizziness. No sign of blood loss at all.
Immediately afterwards, I went to Wal-Mart for my aftercare. A simple bottle of ear care solution that only cost $1.65. We decided to go and see a movie, considering how my birthday wasn't quite over. But before that, I had to at least try to eat something. I know I looked terribly funny, trying to carefully shove some McDonalds fries into my mouth.
It seems like everyone made more of big deal afterwards. Like I was going to pass out or something. I guess I just got all worked up over nothing. Now, it's my latest masterpiece.
So far, I love my vertical labret. Everyone is under the impression that it's just a phase and I'll learn to hate it, and eventually take it out. They also thought that 3 years ago. All of my piercings are still well intact. Besides my navel that had to be taken out because of rejection. I miss my old piercing, but hopefully soon I will be getting my navel piercing back, with many more to be added to the list.
It's been a few hours, and the throbbing is gone. I've got a ways to go before it's healed, but it feels like I've had it for weeks. I can speak normally, eat for the most part, and nothing is going to keep me from my cigarettes. As for the swelling, I haven't seen it so far, but time will only tell.
If ever you decide that you want your lips pierced, you should do it. Despite what anyone else says, or whatever way they try to talk you out of it. As for pain, it's gone in minutes, and you're left with beauty that can last a lifetime.