My lip piercing was amazing. Not only did I look cool, I got compliments galore and felt like I was making a statement. I loved waking up and seeing it; knowing that I did something no one EVER expected out of me. For this reason, taking it out was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.
At A Glance Author Lane Contact Lane@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Finny Studio True Blue Tattoo and Piercing Location Austin, TX The notion of getting a lip piercing had struck me quite often. I thought about it all the time, asking others how they thought it would look. The opinion was almost always "Yeah, that would look so badass!" In early January of 2007, I decided to start researching. I went to a myriad of websites looking up pros and cons. The main con I found was that it could cause harm to gums/teeth if not properly cared for. I knew this wouldn't be an issue since I am a very detail oriented and particular individual. Because I am in high school, I knew this would not be allowed. I sort of took up the idea that perhaps they wouldn't catch me. If they did, I decided I would have a retainer put in and that would be the end to it. I then checked with my mom, whom I live with. Of course she said no. For awhile I kept asking her. I figured the more I ask, the more lenient she may be. So at this point, all the sings were pointing towards a big, fat NO. If you were to know me personally, you would know that 'No' can always be negotiated and is never the final answer.
Late January rolls around, and all my friends have decided that they, too want piercings. For one its a belly button piercing, and for 3 others it's nose piercings. All of their parents had approved, so they had no issues. I took them to True Blue, the place where I had gotten my first tattoo. I went into the parlour with the intention of NOT getting the piercing but getting another tattoo. My indecisiveness then came into play as it nearly always does, and I felt the sudden urge to do the piercing. I formulated a quick plot to spend as many nights as I could away from home so no one would know. I talked to Finny (the licensed piercer) about the situation, and he said "Rule number one is never EVER piss off mom. It's not a good idea, trust me!" Despite his warning, I told him I wanted it.
I have a friend go into the small, sterile room with me to hold my hand. He prepares all the equipment (all autoclaved first!) and tells me in a soothing voice to just take several deep, big breaths. I take two breaths, and on the exhale I feel a sharp, fast pain. I feel a big heavy needle in my lip but just keep focusing on the blank, vacant walls. I feel him take out the needle, and then a small pinch as he puts the jewelry in. He snaps it shut, and it's done! He gives me a mirror and I feel so much pride well up inside myself. It's beautiful. Perfectly angled, exactly how I imagined. Finny even tells me to come back in a few weeks so he can take a picture for his portfolio!
I spend the first two nights at my dad's old, vacant house with some friends. Each night and morning I gargled with sea salt and water and made sure the piercing had the most regal of care.
Of course my mom found out. I told her. I felt it immature to hide it, but wanted to stay away for awhile to let her settle down.
Eventually, I come home. She sees it and finds it to her distaste. I received a grounding for a month without use of car, even for school and work. This caused problems at work (how was I expected to go in!) And I'm forced to quit. A few weeks go on like this, no one at school even taking notice. I told myself despite all the hell, it was worth it. I looked so cool anyways!
Well, even worse things were about to occur. An administrative at school stops me and sends me to my grade level-office. I explain to the principle that I would have to wait at least 10 days until it was the safe and proper time to put in a retainer. He says he understand but that I would have to be put in In School Suspension for those 10 days until the jewelry gets replaced.
Let me tell you about ISS. You face a blank wall and have a little white desk. Even though I normally get off school at 2pm, I would have to stay till 4:10. There is NO interaction with any other people, no going off-campus for lunch, and a whole lot of nothingness. You stare at the clock ticking by and aren't even aloud to sleep. The kids in ISS were creepy. My little AP/IB hardest classes-good grades self felt totally out of place in this stuffy area.
I went after school that day to True Blue to get a retainer. They tell me that there are no retainers for lip piercings, and to go to the nearest Home Depot or Lowes and get some weedwacker line to put in it. They told me the gauge (mine was 16) would be printed on the package so I would know. I know what you are thinking--weedwacker line?! What!! That is TOTALLY hazardous and unsterile! Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I blindly followed and did what they said. Well, the thing was ugly. Not to mention the second I put it in my lips started getting all red and swelly. Nonetheless, I felt I had no choice.
A day later, I go with some friends to a place called Atomic Tattoo and Body Piercing. My friend is going to pick out an alternate belly ring. I decide to get a second opinion on the retainer thing. The guy there tells me while these retainers are made for eyebrows, they are most commonly used for lip piercing retainers. He offers to put it in for me. He looks at the weed wacker line in my lip and says, "Why would they tell you to do that? That is a terrible idea and very unsafe." I don't know how to respond; I needed a way out so I did it! He puts in the retainer and my lip swelling goes down almost immediately. He says this will need to be in a minimum of 5 weeks to allow proper healing.
And just when you think everything is cool and it's all gravy, it never is.
A few weeks later I am kicked out of my house for going to a concert I wasn't allowed to go to. It was the Epitaph 2007 Tour, and tickets were only $8!! How can you NOT go?! I am forced to live roughly 45 minutes away in Georgetown with my dad. I am extremely distraught because this is a complete life change. This house is out in the middle of no where. People get Texan stereotypes from places like this.
Anywho, this little retainer is a pain in the ass. The rubber band that sits on the end always comes off. I never have extras, so I have to put the piercing back in, (it, of course, is always in my mouth) go get more rubber bands, and do the whole thing over again.
Most recently was last night at Chili's. I'm eating chicken and start chewing, but soon crunch something hard and realize my retainer has come out. I rush to the bathroom and put it in backwards so I can push on the flat end with my finger.
On the way home, my step mom starts badgering me about it. "How will you get a good job with that?" etc, etc. The usual, cliche', arguments that I could care less about. I don't want an office job or a job where people hire and fire based on these minute, minuscule things.
I get home that night and run to the bathroom and start bawling harder than I ever really have. All this strife, all this shit over a stupid facial piercing. I had taken such good care of it; felt so prideful of it, I hated hearing this crap. I sat outside with my cat and talked to him about the situation. Cats are superb listeners and have unbiased ears, which can be really helpful when everyone else criticizes you!
I walked back upstairs to the bathroom and pulled the retainer out.
I cried so hard. I looked at it and watched a white film cover over it.
I then cried some more, and then a bit more. I called my 22 year old sister in California for support. She provides a mature, but young perspective on things. I looked at it one last time before going to sleep. I wake up this morning and trace my finger where it used to be, feeling utterly sad. I try to tell myself it's for the best. I wasn't ready to take it out, but in reality things will be a whole lot better. I plan on getting it re pierced post-graduation.
The moral of this story is not against lip piercings. I for, one, fully encourage body modifications and loved my lip ring.
If you are sitting out there, reading my story, with the knowledge that no one wants you to get this thing, just don't. Wait. I promise the satisfaction you get out of it will be so much more when others can support your decision.
If you have to do it, like I had to, make arrangements and prepare for the worst. My piercing was an uphill battle that would have never ended up going downhill, and for that reason, I made the decision to take it out.