I had already had my navel pierced. But it was a farce - one of those "ummm... like, my friend did it with some ice and a safety pin" idiot piercings. Way too thin, wrong jewellery, too shallow. Needless to say, it was gone within a month and left a nasty scar. But I truly had a passion about piercing. It wasn't something that I wanted to do to impress my friends or my family (if it had been, it wouldn't have worked, because no one has been impressed. Most have expressed that they percieve my piercings as 'icky'). I actually loved the sensation, the feel, the self confidence it gave me. I had my earlobes pierced at a beautician (ugggh), performed a double cartilage piercing on my own ear (double ugggh - I love the way it turned out, but there was excessive mess involved) and successfully pierced my own labret, using the proper jewellery this time (it healed! la la la la la!). But after the navel kerfuffle, I knew the only way I could re-do it successfully would be to brave the needle. For me this was a big issue to get past...
At A Glance Author apokedlittlegirl Contact jackthepumpkinhead@hotmail.com Artist ....? should I have asked his name? Studio Essential Beauty Location Adelaide, Australia (mate) I don't have a problem with pain - but I do have a massive complex about allowing others to inflict pain on me. I am the anti-masochist. My inner fight/flight mechanism tells me this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. When I finally got up the mettle to wander into the local parlour and inquire about the possibility that my scarred navel could be safely pierced, I had no idea that I was going to end up lying on my back with my hands under my bum being pierced within the minute...
This is exactly what happened. I choose to start this story... now...
Went in, asked extremely tentatively if my navel could still be pierced... was told 'yes, of course'. Damn. My plan foiled. If he'd said no I would have been spared. "When were you thinking of having it done?" Oh god... I had $90 in my pocket but did I really want to do this? Of course I did! I had only been obsessing for months about going through with it. "Uh... today would be okay."
So I selected my jewellery - a 14ga titanium navel barbell with a rainbow (psycho) jewel. Not anodised - I had read that this was not good for piercings that were still juicy. It didn't really hit me that I was actually getting it done until he said "okay, first room on the right". Went into the room feeling terrified, and stood there trying to stop myself bolting. He came in with a metal tray after about twenty seconds. I was ine nough control to have a look and see how sanitary everything was. It all looked in good order - sealed needle, jewellery on green plastic. The bed was covered in white plastic, the room looked impeccably clean and shiny. He got me to stand up straight with my feet together and marked the placement with a purple (! groovy!) texta. He asked me to look and see if I liked where it was, which I did - hell, even if I didn't I would have been too muffled by fear to express myself. "Lie down, with your hands under your bum." Well for god's sake! Ask a bit much... I shut up and did as the man asked. Lying there, hearing him open the needle, I finally thought of something to say. "Does it hurt...?" Famous last words.
"Nope," he says, and pierces me. Ow, ow... OW... imagine my face screwing up. "So, why aren't you at school?" You're asking me QUESTIONS while I'm in this position!? "Er..." I can't tell what he's doing any more. It doesn't actually hurt, although it is rather uncomfortable. "I'm at Pembroke - we have longer holidays." It's a little hard to speak, as my mind is very focused on the sensation in my stomach. "That's cool. You're done." He moves away, collecting up his little tray. "You should lie there for a minute - then if you come out the front we'll sort it out."
Done?? It's OVER?! The hallelujah chorus rings out in my head. That was nothing! I'm invincible! God, actually I feel a bit sick... I was a bit dizzy - probably more from relief than anything else. My mind had convinced me that it would be an ordeal, but in the end it wasn't at all.
It is now three days after. Despite a little redness and some clear discharge (crusties, I guess), my new piercing is fine. All in all I thought it was a positive and reassuring experience - and the piercer was pleasant and smelt nice (I didn't ask his name but I was tempted to ask what aftershave he used). I am $90 out of pocket, and I can't sleep on my stomach anymore, but all in all I am happier because of it - I suppose I should wait and see what happens to it before commenting, but I think he did a great job. Happy happy joy joy on my part.