I notice the sexy navel rings on girls during the summer and thought that my stomach was flat enough for it to look cute. But I've wanted my tongue pierced for a couple years now. I've even gone on various websites to shop around for tongue studs. But after this day, I am happy that I had to change my mind.
At A Glance Author candiyvision When A month ago Artist Happy Dave Studio Modern Primitives Salon Location Chicago So, A couple weeks ago, I went to the piercing salon to get my tongue pierced. After anxiously waiting for months for my birthday present from my boyfriend, I finally made time to do it. I even went to Walgreens to get the yellow Listerine before heading into the salon.
Soon after, I entered the salon and there was another guy in line so I looked around the salon built like a bat cave. Cob webs, spiders, bats everwhere! It was an awesome comfortable place! Then the piercer, who goes by the name of Happy Dave, checked my tongue, and gave me the bad news.
"Your tongue is too short, I can't do it." He said there are options that I can take.
1. I can still get it done if I get the bottom web cut. But that means going to a doctor and paying medical costs.
2. He can go ahead and pierce me, but the jewelry will clash against my teeth and damage it. Overtime it will chip my front teeth. He's more concerned about health then money.
3. He can cut the web for me, but he is not licensed to do so.
4. I can choose not to get it done to be on the safe side.
I chose not to do it, and ofcourse felt disappointed, but also relieved that I had found out about this. He apologized and asked whether I wanted anything else pierced that day. So I sat and thought over it and I did have two other places in mind, either the lower lip or my navel. Which later, I chose my navel because I wasn't sure if it would be professional for my job after graduation.
I let him know I was ready and after he finished with the previous customer, he checked out my belly. Then he goes, "Poor girl, even your belly's shallow, but I'll make it work!" Hearing that made me a bit nervous. The feeling I had was nervousness from anticipation...if that makes any sense.
So here goes...first I was instructed to stand for about ten minutes and we chatted during that time to relief any tension in my body. During this, he taught me about his sterilization process (everything is sterilized twice) and informed me that the needles and corks are never reused. Soon, he marked my belly with a marker and allowed me to acknowledge and accept the alignment.
After that, I had to lay down on a cushioned platform to do some breathing exercises. It seemed like the longest time while he preached about the aftercare and reminding me to take deep breathes in between. (I was a bit nervous, so I didn't hear some of the aftercare procedures. I am sure a lot of people have gone through this too). But before I can think twice, he says I'm clamping it now, which I felt a little chill from the coldness. Then it took a seconds for him to poke it through. The pinch only lasted a second and it was done...! It did hurt but I'm used to taking pain. Finally, he told me to stand up and look in the mirror...I was satisfied about the entire professional procedure. Before I paid, he gave me an aftercare brochure. I am always afraid of infections since my ear cartilage had gone through a painful one before so I was happy I have something to read back on if I run into any trouble. He warned me over and over, "When taking care of a piercing, remember less is more!", "Never use peroxide or any wound ointments.", and again "Water and antibacterial soap is enough."
So that's it! Now back to Walgreen to exchange the Listerine mouthwash for some Dial antibacterial soap...bleah.
So now I have my little (shallow) belly button filled up with a violet cubic zirconia barbell. It was red, but the c.z. had fallen off the defective jewelry during the week , and I had to go get it replaced the next week. I called in and Happy Dave told me to just come in and he'll replace it for free. And yes, I had to go through the entire process again. When I walked in, he jokingly said that if anything happens again, he won't know what to do with me.
Although I don't regret that I'll never be able to get my tongue pierced, my belly's all sexy now! I do recommend going to a reputable salon where the piercer is responsible and care more about the person's health then just making money. Research before shopping is a definite plus!