I can't say that it was a good or bad experience since I had it done only a few hours ago, so my navel is not anywhere near being healed. But so far, I would have to say that this way the longest day of my life. Last night my sister, Stephanie and I made appointments for 3:15pm this afternoon so I could get my navel pierced and she could get a tattoo. So of course I couldn't sleep all night because I was excited about getting pierced since I've wanted my belly button pierced. And I was practically shitting myself as well. We fooled our parents. We told my mom that we were going to the mall to hand out resumes at the other end of town. Even though my sisters 18 and I'm 16, which is legal to get a piercing without a parent/guardian, they'd still be pissed. So my mom drove us to the mall, we went through and found the nearest exit and speed walked to A1 Tattoos because we didn't wanna piss of the people there by being late for our appointment. It was also 28 degrees fairenheit and we had to walk for a half an hour. The whole fricken way I kept trying to calm myself by remembering all the stories I read here on how it was painless. Finally we get there and I helped my Stephanie pick out a tattoo. She brought a design with her but it was way too expensive, so she finally decided on one for $80 and the guy knocked it down to $60. He said he'd be back in 10 minutes while he got all that shit for the tattoo and my belly ready. I had originally decided on a barbell, but the piercer, Scott said that it would be difficult to clean. So it came time to decide who was going to go first, and since mine would take that long, I was goin' first. FUCKY! I'm extremely nervous at this point and almost ready to back out. But I didn't so I wouldn't regret not doing it. So I got my belly button cleaned and marked. Then I laid back on the reclining chair-bed thingy and looked over at all the piercing shit. Surprisingly I didn't pass out. Also, it was ALL brand new stuff he used. I watch him take a brand new clamp, he prepared it, and clamped me. I don't know what the cause for complaints are when I read that the clamps are painful. That did not hurt AT ALL! Then he kinda laughed at me as he and my sister tried to get me to take two deep breaths. Too nervous! But I finally calmed down. First I had to take my sisters pooh bear in one hand and Stephanie's hand in the other. Then I took another deep breath and he stuck the needle through. I'll be 100% honest, it hurt, but only for 5 seconds. After the needle was trhough my skin completely it didn't hurt as much, it stung. I felt only a slight pinch when he put the ring in. I felt real good afterwards. I wasn't faint, and my belly button wasn't even red or sore. Then I watched Stephanie get her tattoo. She got a heart with a daisy around it on her lower back. And it looks amazing! Then after we paid, we left and walked for a half an hour back to the mall in a fucking hail storm.
At A Glance Author Tara Contact tara038@hotmail.com Artist Scott Studio A1 Tattoos Location Windsor, Ontario For anyone who needs advice on this, this is what it said on an aftercare sheet that Scott gave me:
1. Clean your piercing THREE times a day; no more, no less!
2. Remove the crusty formations with warm water and a Q-tip.
3. Wash with a mild anti-bacterial soap; we recommend Jergen's. Wash the soap through the piercing to thoroughly clean. Do this by lathering the area surround the piercing holding the ring by the bead, and GENTLY rotating the ring back and forth to get the soap in side.
4. Rinse thoroughly to ensure that ALL the soap residue is removed. Any soap left inside the piercing will cause irritation.
5. Pat the area dry, make sure that you do not rub.
6. DO NOT COVER WITH ANY SORT OF BANDAGE!
DO NOT
Overclean.
Use hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol.
Use any form of cream, lotion or ointment.
Expect the person at the drug store to know hat is best for your piercing.
Let your piercing come in contact with other peoples'bodily fluids for at least three weeks.
Plus, don't get a barbell. It's hard to clean because you have to rotate it. Mine hurt like hell to clean. I'm glad now I didn't get a barbell! He said I can change to a barbell in a month and a half.
Overall, I would rate the pain factor an 8 out of 10. I was surpirsed that Stephanie rated her tattoo a 4. I heard those hurt like a bitch! Anyways, of course my parents don't know because I'm so conscience of it right now and I'm not dumb enough to show them! Cleaning it hurt like hell, but it's supposed to be real tender right now. I can moved around fine, and even exercise. But touching it hurts. So I had a painful piercing experience so far. But do I regret it? HELL NO! It's worth it, so get pierced. Plus, Scott was a real good piercer and tattoo artist, so I would definately go to him again. Thats if I work up the guts to get my tongue pierced!
Don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have a question!
Tara