Isn't it funny how sometimes the piercing you just got was the one you never thought you would get? This was the case with me and my madonna (a.k.a upper labret).
At A Glance Author Bec Contact Bec@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Todd Studio The Piercing Urge Location Melbourne, Australia It began over six months ago when I took my beloved piercing book to work, and my buddy instantly decided she wanted a monroe. Two days later, it was done. Two weeks later I decided to re-pierce my retired conch, which was the start of a whole lot of re-piercings for me as well as a couple of new ones. When the piercing bug bites, it hits hard. So one day I just decided I wanted a monroe too (although being on my right-hand side I refer to it as a madonna).
Now I am definitely not the impulsive type and when it comes to piercings I am the sort who researches like mad, saves money steadily and constantly imagines what life will be like with my newest addition. I also schedule the piercing so as to allow optimum healing and aftercare time in amongst other commitments. Yes, this drives my friends and family crazy! However, it works for me :)
Finally I decided a madonna would look ok, if not good on me and I went ahead and booked a time with my piercing place, The Piercing Urge. The whole week or so beforehand I was riding a rollercoaster of emotions, mainly nerves about the sensation of the piercing and how my boss would react (even though my friend with the monroe is one of my managers). For the record, my boss took a full day to notice I had the piercing. It's been several years since I had a facial piercing and I was worried about whether it would get in the way, how it would feel during and after the piercing and most of all, whether I would like it. I've never had an oral piercing and I was afraid the aftercare would be really awkward or inconvenient (very misguided in hindsight, especially given the current problems with my cartilage piercings!).
When the big day came, I ate my last solid (though nutritionally deficient) meal at McDonalds and began the long drive to The Piercing Urge. It sucks when your piercers are far away. The lovely Todd was my piercer (but for the record everyone at TPU is lovely!!) and we got down to business without delay.
First I had to gargle with Listerine (just disgusting), which was thankfully over with quickly. My friend was telling me to get used to it, but I was smugly secure in the knowledge that TPU recommends salt water for all piercing aftercare, so I ignored that.
Next came the clamps, which I didn't know much about. I think I've only been clamped a couple of times and certainly not recently. But I didn't even feel them. Todd marked a spot, which was exactly where I'd wanted the piercing :) Very impressive. As Todd readied the needle, he told me to close my eyes and lower my head and while I did, all I could think was that I didn't think he was going to warn me when he was about to pierce. I panicked, sensing the needle was close, so I quickly breathed in and out so he would pierce on the exhale. A quick pinch and that was it! Then a brief pulling at my lip as the jewellery was inserted and I was done – YAY!
It was the strangest sensation having this little piece of metal in my mouth. As soon as I closed my mouth I could feel it and when I looked in the mirror, I liked it but felt a bit detached from it. All afternoon it felt and sounded weird having it clink against my tooth. It reminds me of having a loose tooth – you know it's there and that you shouldn't play with it but you can't help it. You also have to be careful with food.
That night I had warm soup for dinner with no worries and managed to clean my teeth and wash my face too. Aftercare is a breeze. So far, it's the easiest piercing I've had to care for (as anyone who's had to soak cartilage piercings for an extended period could tell you). As of Day 2 it swelled up a little, nothing major. I drank heaps of cold water and alternately ate warm soup and cold dairy desserts. I was hanging out for a big, chunky burger though (not helped by PMS!).
For anyone considering this piercing it's cute, almost painless and easy to look after. I highly recommend it. I love my piercing and I still can't quite believe I got something so visible – I feel very rebellious, lol. This is also a piercing you can dress up or dress down. Several months on, I have downsized the jewellery and had no problems with it. The jewellery rests on my tooth and I am keeping an eye on wear to the tooth enamel, fully prepared to take it out if I have to (although I may have to remove it for work in six months anyway). I have taken it out for job interviews and a clear retainer in it is hardly noticeable, but be warned, removing and reinserting this piece takes practice!