Last December I was in San Francisco for the weekend, and happened to be in the infamous Haight Ashbury region... if you are familiar with California (or even in if you are not, you should know...) Haight is the birthplace of "free love," "flower power" It is also where the Grateful Dead called home, and of course Janis Joplin and several other prominent counter-culture figures of the 1960s and 70s.
At A Glance Author Gianna Contact Gianna@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Don't remember Studio Cold Steel Location San Francisco, CA What does this have to do with piercing my navel?
I have wanted to have my navel pierced for about a year or so, but never focused on it that much, or really attempted to find a good place to have it done.
So here I find myself on Haight, wandering in and out of used book stores, bizarre shops and cafés, smelling the patchouli incense, and I decided "now or never!" This was a big decision for me since I have nothing except my ears pierced, and I wouldn't even consider a tattoo. But I figured I would do something wild while I was there – it was just days after my 23rd birthday.
After walking by several tattoo/piercing salons and gathering information, I decided on Cold Steel. The environment was very soothing and sanitary. They seemed extremely knowledgeable, and had lots of literature, and recommended aftercare (including not changing the jewelry for AT LEAST 6-9 months).
I chose a bar, paid, and sat and waited patiently for my turn.
When I was called in I didn't ask too many questions, figuring if I did, I might psych myself out. I laid down on the table, and the gentleman who was about to perform the piercing recommended that if I got nervous I just take some slow, deep breaths. I did, and that helped calm the anxiety.
He put on gloves, and placed the guide dots in ink on my belly button, and proceeded to prepare the needle and barbell, etc. He placed the clamp on my navel, which was just a little pinch, and then sent the thick fang-shaped needle on through. I had no desire to watch that part however. I just continued to breath, and tried not to focus on the pain (which really was just the pinching, and not much more.
After the needle he wiped away a couple of drops of blood, and he slipped the bar through the hole, and after a little bit of tightening of the other ball (which just felt like a little bit of pressure -- and movement which at first feels strange) I was finished!
I remained seated for a bit, since I didn't want to get up too fast and have a terrible head rush. I seemed fine, and looked down and the new sparkly in my tummy. It looked so high up (like there was a lot of room between the top and bottom balls). It looked so foreign at first.
About three minutes after exiting the building, I began to feel numb, and had ringing in my ears -- I thought that I was going to faint. But I didn't... I think I was just in shock, and as soon as I had some water and sat down I was fine. I would recommend staying in the chair (or table, or whatever) for a while after being pierced if you are prone to fainting, because it takes a little while to sink in.
AFTER: That night, the piercing got increasingly sore, and red. Nothing to worry about, just reaction from my body for putting a piece of metal through the middle of me. The first night when I went to take a shower, I noticed that the piece of flesh between the balls was sore, but other than that it didn't hurt incredibly badly.
So this thing was really painful for about a full week after I had it done. I only slept on my back, and anything that brushed against my stomach made me yelp. Sitting in the car with a seatbelt on hurt, pants whose top got anywhere near the area were out of the question... I have to say that I am a big baby though, so I'm sure it could have been much worse.
TODAY (6 MONTHS LATER): I wash my piercing everyday with a wash called "Satin" which is an antimicrobial skin cleanser http://www.caretechlabs.com/Profiles/PRO%20Satin.htm. I have done the sea salt soaks as well with warm water for about 10-15 minutes at a time.
For a while everytime my boyfriend would brush up against the piercing, I would flinch, but for the most part it doesn't hurt when it is touched. The only kind of gross part is that the area does get crusty (especially the lower ball), which can be unattractive! Sometimes I flinch if it gets pulled or caught, but in general I am very happy with my decision to get pierced!