Ok, so last summer I had reached the decision I wanted to get a Monroe/Madonna. It would be the first piercing of mine also. And it was about a month before school started again. Just enough time to let it heal and put a retainer in.
At A Glance Author COMPTONandrogyny Contact cardcaptorzrule14@msn.com When Six months ago Artist Co-Owner Studio Hellbent Tattoos Location Arlington, Texas So we head up to 360 Blues and Tattoos and talk to a piercer about getting my Monroe. But, they didn't have the post for it. He explained he only had labret (I think that's what he said) which he said was a bit longer. Apparently it would be just as sufficient, but the post would be longer, sticking a out a bit from my upper lip. I decided against it and went to the next, closest piercing/tattoo parlor. Hellbent.
So we go in and I tell them what I want. I waited for a little while before being led to the other room. It was very nice and clean. Looked like a doctor's office. Seriously. Felt much more secure. The lady who was gonna do the piercing, was one of the owners. (If I'm correct :D) And another girl assisted. (Heard it was her daughter)
I wasn't too scared. I read many experiences online and knew too well about the whole, "It didn't hurt to me. But it varies from person to person." Anyway, I got prepped, my lip my clamped and pulled out, after placing the dot and redoing it a couple times, and the needle was set. The next thing I know, the needle went right through. I squeezed my eyes shut, and when I opened my eyes, the needle was already gone and the post was in. A nice 16G. The pain wasn't much. Although, I could actually feel the needle tear through the skin, tissue and muscle in my upper lip. And finally they tried screwing the ball on. Took a lot of effort. First the women, then the young girl, and even the tattoo artist there (Other owner, the woman's wife, girl's daughter) tried. And soon it was on. It was great. And they were so nice and friendly! (:
The healing went great. Didn't even swell up too much. But after a few days, it was harder to eat. I didn't want to chew anything. It was sore. But soon everything was fine. Eating was easy and back to normal. I snagged the post a couple times under my teeth time to time, but didn't hurt by that point. My cleaning regimen was a (sea)salt water cleansing, maybe 2-3 times a day (eventually 1-2 daily) using a cotton swab. It was a little spray bottle I bought at the tattoo parlor, but I didn't want to spray it on my face because 1) it tasted nasty and 2) it would dry out my skin. I also washed out my mouth every time I eat or drank. Sometimes a salt water mouth rinse. Not anything else. No extra tricks. very basic and easy. And a month after the piercing, it was ready to use a retainer. But I didn't have A LOT of trouble getting the piercing out! I couldn't unscrew the ball. Neither could my mum. So she got some pliers and broke the post in half. Didn't even hurt! (DO NOT ATTEMP T! I was a bit desperate in finding a way to get it out. If you have a problem like that, keep trying or go to the piercer. Do NOT take home tools to a piercing!) But when I got home from school, I already had another post to put right in. :D
That was late July when I got the piercing, and now it's almost June. I had no complications since the healing was over. But a few days ago I got a 16G horseshoe ring to put it. It was a little snug, and after a while it got sore. I think the curvature of it irritated it. I kept it in over night, and the next morning it was a little red and sore. It's been almost two days, and its a bit sore still. I already switched back to my stud. I don't dare think it's infected (I've been through jewelry several times now, and nothing like this happened) but I believe it was just a cheap piercing and had nickel in it. Because 1) I bought it at a store on a Military base (not a credible location), 2) I know I have an allergy to cheap and/or nickel containing metals and 3), the jewelry was made in Thailand (surely it's not of high quality). I plan to buy a new one from Hot Topic sometime soon. If the soreness doesn't go away soon, I'll go to the doctor and check. BUT, if anyone has some a dvice or input, maybe have had the same experience and might know what the problem might be, please tell me! :]
I plan to go back next week to get another piercing. Most likely from one of those two tattoo parlors listed in the story. I'm excited.
Any questions or comments. Um, you can contact me!