First and foremost, an explanation of the title. Approximately 8 years ago I had a very unfortunate encounter with a piercing gun, and thus my lobes were violated. But I don't even really count those as piercings, they mean nothing to me and I don't pay any attention to them. (Although I'm thinking about stretching soon.)
At A Glance Author cultstatus Contact cultstatus@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Jake Studio Sacred Art Location Newcastle, Australia Back then, I had next to no interest and no education in the wide world of body modification, however over the years my interest has increased exponentially, which lead to lots of research and the decision to finally start modifying myself. Lots of browsing on BME yielded a number of ideas.
Firstly I was interested in a vertical labret. Then I wanted a double vertical labret. Snakebites. Monroe. Double monroe. Bridge. None of these piercings really struck me as being something that would look amazing and be right for me, but I was all too eager to get something done. Eventually a friend suggested the Medusa piercing. At first I was wary, and wasn't sure that it would be a good idea. But after deep consideration, the idea grew on me, and eventually turned out to be a piercing I would love.
Since I was planning to be pierced at a very reputable Newcastle studio which requires ID for minors, I needed to convince my mother that it would be a good idea to let someone puncture me. A few coffees later, we were down to business. Mum has lobe, nostril, and navel piercings, plus a number of tattoos, so I didn't think she would have too much of a problem with it. Her main qualms were things like 'Will it hurt?' 'But you won't get a job!' and 'Who is this Jake man? Is he covered in piercings? Will you turn out like that?' to which my answers were 'Yes, but I'm willing.', 'Maybe it will decrease my chances, but I will take it out if absolutely necessary.' and 'He's the piercing artist, yes he is, and no I won't turn out 'like that'.' (The latter being a complete lie, I plan to be heavily modified one day, but ignorance is bliss.)
So, with Mum (reluctantly) approving the idea, we made our way a few blocks to the studio and up the nice wooden stairs to the clean and welcoming front room. I had been in earlier to discuss pricing and jewellery with Jake, so he was expecting me, but Mum decided to hassle him with a barrage of questions and suggest all sorts of alternative piercings, much to my distaste. Jake explained all the aftercare and risks involved to Mum, and satisfied with his professional and knowledgeable demeanour, she finally signed the form and accepted what was about to happen.
Jake dealt with the other clients that were milling around the studio, and then went into the piercing room to set up, calling me a few minutes later. I had been into the piercing room before and as usual, was greeted by the very clean, sterile, and comfortable surroundings. Mum already seemed settled by Jake's gentle nature and professionalism, but the extra-clean room eased her nerves even more, which was fortunate, because she was more jittery than I was.
Jake then explained the various tools to us, moreso to my mother, telling her about the clamps, disposable needles, jewellery, swabs, marking ink etc. before asking me to sit on the adjustable table much like one found in a doctors surgery. He scrubbed the front of my lip with a disinfecting scrub, gave me some mouthwash to rinse with, and then made the initial mark.
I took a quick look at the placement in the mirrors lining the side wall, but trusted Jake enough to make a good judgement with regards to my facial symmetry and the placement of the piercing. He then put the clamps on my lip, which I hardly felt at all, and instructed me to breathe in, and then out. The needle was pushed through from the outside upon exhaling, and was surprisingly way less painful than I had expected or been informed. There was slight discomfort when the needle made its exit on the inside of my lip, but it was more of a 'gross' feeling as it 'popped' through the tissue. Jake then instructed me to wiggle my toes, which I did, as he inserted the jewellery (14ga/9mm stainless steel labret stud) and tightened the ball.
The piercing was perfect. It was placed flawlessly, and looked completely natural on my face. A few minutes and an excited rant about the lack of pain later, (Jake even informing me that I had done well for an apparently painful piercing) he reiterated the aftercare process and made sure I had my aftercare sheets to take home and follow.
Mum was very pleased with the piercing, raving about how cute it looked and how it was so much smaller than she expected. We both went back to the front room to pay Jake (around $65 for the piercing and jewellery), who thanked us and gave us his card, and then left to go and pick up aftercare products, while I lamented all the while being a poor student and not being able to tip such a great artist. (Next time, promise!)
A few minutes later we arrived at the supermarket where we bought some Oral B alcohol free mouthwash, sea salt, cotton buds and tips, and some Nurofen. I made sure to be extra careful about my aftercare, rinsing with a diluted mouthwash solution and taking frequent sea salt soaks, as well as cleaning with a gentle antibacterial soap in the shower and icing on for 10, off for 20 for around two hours before bed.
Nurofen and ice helped the swelling a lot in the evening, but the next morning my lip had swelled a lot and the jewellery was fairly tight despite extra pillows to prop my head up. I continued with my aftercare, taking Nurofen and eating soft foods, and eventually the swelling died down, hardly bothering me at all by the third day or so.
Morning crusties weren't unheard of at all and a little lymph was present around the ball, but otherwise the healing process was very rapid and by the second week it appeared fully healed. Promising Jake and my mother to be a good girl, I continued, and still do engage in aftercare procedures, which have led to a lovely and well healed piercing.
Overall, I would strongly recommend Sacred Art to anyone in the area or willing to travel the distance to a professional, experienced, and very friendly studio. The artists are all lovely and knowledgeable, prices are very fair, and the procedures are sterile and performed properly.
As far as piercings go, I would definitely recommend a medusa to anyone interested in a facial piercing but wanting something a little different yet not too exuberant. I'm more than happy with it and can't imagine myself any other way, and little does my mother know, I'm planning cheek piercings in the very near future. We'll see how that one goes.