I've always been interested in body-"mods". Especially at the worst times of life, a piercing or tattoo helps re-affirm who you are, and can boost your confidence a lot.
At A Glance Author StephenMcLeod Contact StephenMcLeod@bme.anon When It just happened Artist John Studio Nirvana Location Glasgow, Scotland I'm not a fan of needles or any other hospital-related procedure at all, but when it comes to piercings/tatts, it's different. I'm also not a fan of roller-coasters; you're not likely to find me chasing the next thrill by going on the "Big Dipper".
However, the thrill of reading through BMEZine, getting psyched up and the actual act of the piercing is all part of the process and experience of getting a mod. Infact, I actually enjoy it in a strange sort of way.
Anyway, I hadn't had any mods for about a year - my last one being my 2nd tattoo. I just hadn't had the "itch" for anything.
Last week, whilst out at "Death Disco" - a large club at the Arches, Glasgow, I saw a lot of people with different mods, and in particular: lip piercings.
I'd never been a fan of lip piercings, as they'd become very cliche near where I stayed for a while, due to the upsurge of pop-punk bands who had the mod.
However, for some reason, I got an inkling to get a new hole, and the lip was the one I was drawn most to. I started to browse BMEZine, and came across Vertical Labrets. I instantly loved it, and began to wrestle over whether I should get it or not; I read countless stories on BME and looked at all the pictures.
Eventually, after spending a whole day at work looking over all the stuff, and getting worked up about it, I decided to take the next day off and go into town to get it done. If I waited any longer I was going to make myself sick with anticipation!
The day came, and I was talking far too much with nerves to my comrade Michelle who had come along for the whole thing. I headed to Glasgow Piercing Studio, who told me they weren't able to do it. I almost died. They said that as it was too much of a surface piercing, they didn't do it, as they'd seen lots grown out, and the tissue in that bit of your lip doesn't grow back.
I was struck with a bolt of doubt. Ark, I'd not heard of that before. Should I just get the side done? I decided against it, and went round to Nirvana, where they said they'd do it, no bother. I asked about the growing-out thing, and was told that I had nicely shaped lips (yas!), and that it's people who generally have thinner, flatter lips who they'd refuse to pierce, as it's more likely to grow out.
I hung about for five or so minutes till John was finished up with an eyebrow piercing through the back, and signed off the relevant papers "I'm 19, I'm not under the influence of drugs or alcohol..." etc.
John was great - taking time to line up the ball with the middle of my "cupid's bow" - of which I have a fairly pronounced one apparently. He explained everything along the way; how he'd put the ball so it didn't touch my top-lip, and leave an indent, etc, as well as slagging off my taste in music ;o
The piercing itself was over pretty quickly. He got me to lie down on the chair, take my hat off (I took my glasses off as well), breathe normally, as I was panting like a dog, and it happened.
I felt the needle at the bottom of my lip, and a pressure as it pushed up and through the top. Apart from the first touch, I couldn't place the needle's position at any point; it was just like a short, sharp pain for a couple of seconds, then John said: "right, you can swear at me now".
It proved difficult with the bit of plastic hanging from my lip, and as he put the jewellery through, it stung a bit for another few seconds. He screwed the balls on the end, and that was it. Cue five minutes of going over the after-care, seeing it in the mirror, and it was over.
I was really surprised that it wasn't sore afterwards. My previous piercings had stung like hell for ages after, but this one didn't. We went and had a Starbucks after, and a panini, and I was able to eat and drink ok - I was wary of catching it though, and risking getting food in it, but because of its position at the front of my lip, it's not too bad. I even ate a roll and sausage (like a burger) today!
I love the new piercing, and will be back in two weeks to get the shorter bar in.