Firstly a bit about myself. I have 12 piercings, ranging from 8 in my ears (1 of which is stretched to 10ml), 1 in my tongue, 1 in my navel and 2 lip piercings.
At A Glance Author Elise Contact Elise@bme.anon When It just happened Artist I cant remember the first guy's name, and Arron Studio Tattoo Inc , Medway Tattoo and Piercing Centre Location Colchester and Chatham I come from a family that doesn't really like piercings, so when I decided I wanted to get my tongue done, I had to ask my mum's permission. To be honest she wasn't pleased at the thought, but finally agreed to let me get it done, I was 17. Luckily my mum didn't come with me, as I would have defiantly chickened out. She said to me the night before I got it done 'You can get that thing done, but I don't ever want to see it', although she promptly asked to see it after I had it done.
Anyway getting back to my lip piercings. I got my first one done on the left side of my lip in Tattoo Inc, Colchester. My boyfriend had finally agreed that I could get my lip pierced. He hated piercings when we first got together, and couldn't understand my need for them. But after being together for a while, he got used to my piercings, even got turned on by them, and accepted they were part of who I am.
My boyfriend agreed to pay for it, for me as a late Christmas present. So in Jan 2006, we headed into Colchester Town. I always get really nervous before any piercing, and this wasn't any different. I made sure I ate before going in, as one it would keep my blood sugar levels up, and secondly I didn't when I would be able to eat again.
I went into the studio, I was immediately impressed, it smelt and looked clean, and was also nice and light and airy. I spoke to the piercer, told him what I wanted done, and he then got me to fill in the forms, whilst he checked my i.d.
This was it no going back, I can tell you I was so nervous, i was trembling. As a joke the piercer said it was my lucky day, as it was his first lip piercing. Apparently my face was priceless. I was thinking shit there's no way I'm letting a new piercer near my face. But luckily he was joking. He got me to sit down in what looked like a dentist chair, and then explained the procedure. At this point I was to nervous to really listen, and just wanted to get it over and done with. He started off by cleaning my lip, and then asking me if I wanted to have it numbed, of course I said yes. He then numbed the inside with this special gel, and froze the outside with a special spray. Right now time for the piercing, with my boyfriend holding my hand, he put the needle through, it HURT like hell, but I didn't make a sound, although I nearly broke my boyfriends hand. He then put the bar through which didn't hurt that much. Although it felt like he started, got half way through, stopped, and then started again, although I've been told this wasn't the case. Then that was it, it was over with, we paid and left. The whole thing took about 20mins. (I asked my boyfriend after if he had changed gloves, and luckily my boyfriend said he had done several times, I was just to scared to pay attention)
I loved my new piercing, although it was swollen for about 2 weeks, putting ice on it helped a lot and I cleaned the crusties with salt water, and cleaned my mouth with mouth wash. The day after I got it done I had a huge purple bruise on my lip from the clamps. After cleaning it a few times a day, it was completely healed after about a month.
Everyone was complementing my piercing, however I didn't feel right with just one, so I decided to get it done again on the right hand side in Sept 2006.
This time however I went to Medway Tattoo and Piercing Centre, in Chatham. Firstly I went in and checked the price, £35 a tenner more than before but this was the best piercing place in my area. I'd also had my tattoo done there, so I knew they were clean, friendly and safe.
Again I went to eat first, something that Aaron had insisted I should do, otherwise he wouldn't pierce me. After I came back from eating (by this time my boyfriend was practically dragging me there), we spoke to Aaron outside for a bit. To be honest he scared the shit out of me, as i told him I was really nervous and that I had to have my last one numbed and that my boyfriend had to hold my hand. He promptly told me that he didn't numb or clamp lip piercings *gulps*, he carries on to tell me that the numbing stuff actually makes the pain worse, especially when it starts to wear off. He also told me that the clamps make the swelling much worse as they bruise the tissue, which also makes it hurt more. Then to add a final nail to the coffin, he told me my boyfriend couldn't come in, as he didn't want to have to deal with two people fainting, and the room was too small anyway.
So I go into the studio, with a feeling in my stomach of impending doom. Thinking why am I putting myself through this again. I sign my life away, again, and head on into the room. By now I'm trembling again, on the verge of tears as I sit down in that oh so familiar dentist chair. Aaron started getting ready and spoke to me for ages, helping me relax. He basically was taking the piss out of me but he made me laugh, so I felt much better. He starts talking through the procedure, getting everything ready, changing gloves with every new thing he did. He marked it up with a toothpick and dye, although this was rather difficult as he had to line it up with my previous piercing. Then it was that time again. I'm grabbing the arm supports as I have no ones hand to hold, and I can see him bringing the needle towards my lip. I've already told him I'm scared of needles so this wasn't helping, and he informed me that he wasn't going to let me back out anyway.
He grabs my lip and pierces it with the needle, wow I'm thinking that didn't hurt at all, I'm already feeling loads better, and the shaking had stopped. Although he did ask me if it hurt with the needle still sticking out of my lip, thanks, hahaha, I said no. Then there was a slight pain when he put the bar through that made my eyes water, but I didn't cry. And that was it, it was over, I'm not shaking anymore, admiring my new piercing, with a huge grin on my face. Aaron then tells me I'm one of the most nervous people he's had in his chair, god I'm such a wuss!! I paid, and then left with my boyfriend. He told me afterwards that he thought I had fainted as I was in there for like 40 mins, but I just explained that I was being calmed down.
I pretty much cared for my new piercing in the same way as the other one, with out the mouthwash this time, as Aaron advised it could irritate it. This piercing was much more pleasurable to look after, there was hardly any pain as it healed mainly a slight discomfort, and the swelling was about a million times less than the first. However it was the same as the first it took about a month to heal. Since then I've changed both bars down to a much snugger fit, that don't stick out when I smile etc. Overall I'm so glad I went through with both as I wouldn't change my labrets for the world :D:D