Even tho i've had them done once before [and had to remove them because they just wouldn't heal], I was extremely excited to get my cheeks pierced again.
At A Glance Author .dRea. Contact .dRea.@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Ryan Studio Strange City Location Edmonton, AB Now, when i first tried to get them done a couple years ago, I was talked out of it by piercers. Very hard piercing to heal, will still flare up even after they heal, etc. And i did listen then, because obviously I trusted the piercing folk I go to. Altho, when I was in college a few years back. I just got the itch to do them. But I also got silly and went to someone who didn't know what they were doing. Jewelry wasn't proper [used barbells instead of flatbacks], and it was too short, so when my flesh swelled up, the metal sunk into my cheeks. Long story short, boils developed on my skin, and I had to take them out. It just wasn't worth it.
Fast forward to yesterday, about four years later. It's been quite a long time since I received the feeling of a needle passing thru a part of my body, so when I found a had a little extra money, I jumped on the chance. Called up my shop of choice. Strange City on Whyte and made an appointment. My roommate decided to come with me to watch, so we bummed around for a bit. I made sure I ate something decent, and we were on our way.
Let me just say, I like having some sort of back and forth with the people at the shop. And here was the first place I've found that I'm amongst friends. Everywhere else, there seems to be, well, a bit of snobbery. The people at Strange City are down to earth and you can actually talk to them without feeling like you are an idiot. [disclaimer: this is clearly my opinion on the shops in Edmonton, please do not feeling like i'm talking crap about other shops, just relaying my experience]. Ended up talking with everyone for a bit, looking at some new jewelry for my lobes, and filling out the standard forms.
Ryan finishes his muffin and tells me he's ready to go. Head thru the back hallway to the piercing room and start talking about suspension devices and scarification. I end up bring my friend Bitzy back with me instead of my roommate who went across the street with her girlfriend instead. I rinse with mouthwash for 30 seconds, we clean up my cheeks and the inside of my mouth, and start to mark. When i had these done before, they were placed too far forward and looked a little odd. So this time, about an inch farther back, and a touch higher. Ryan is continually checking my cheeks for thickness in relation to the placement. Getting me to smile and relax, making sure everything is perfect. After we all agree they are symmetrical and the placement is going to work, the beautiful needles come out.
Ryan has me lay down on the table and start breathing deeply. Guides me thru the breathing to make sure I'm relaxed and comfortable. Clamps, check placement, ready?, deep breath in, out, ahhhh bliss. I don't find this is one of the more painful piercings, but it is thick, so it takes a couple seconds. The needle in left in to make sure when the other side is done, they are at the same angle. Turn my head the other way, and repeat. Follow the jewelry in next, top off with beads, and it's done. I look to make sure everything is great, and it is.
Ryan also lets me know that the long posts are to accumulate the swelling that will incur. And if they are still super long in three days to come back and have them downsized. Needless to say, they look slightly silly right now with the posts so visible, but I would rather have that then what happened last time. Walk back to the front, payment, tip, and a thank you are in order, and we go to meet Andy and Amanda across the street.It is day one of the healing process. Last night they were really sore, to be expected. I took a couple tylenol which completely helped. It looks like one of them may be bruised a slight bit, which seems to be common with my piercings. They are feeling pretty good today. For the most part anyways, I actually had to go to the emergency dentist, but they were sensitive about making sure they weren't knocked around there. But now my jaw hurts. A couple more tylenol today should do the trick. And i'll be heading back on Saturday to make sure they are still looking good.
Needless to say, I'm very happy with my new additions, and the folks that play a part in my modification needs.