I just had my navel pierced today after wanting it for several years. I'm almost 26 so parental permission or fundage weren't the issues. As the world's biggest chicken with a major needle phobia I was afraid. I was also concerned about the affect a future pregnancy could have on my navel ring as I plan to become pregnant later this year or early next year (depending on how long it takes - we're currently trying to conceive our first child which Nicole will carry). I was assured by Susie over the phone who said it all should be fine if I change to a longer flexible bar when I need to. Late last year I got up the courage to have my nose pierced and that was fine though I had to do it twice as I accidently knocked it out a few days after the first time and couldn't get it back in so after waiting two weeks it was redone. I had such a fantastic experience with Mitch at Four Roses both times that when my girlfriend Nicole decided to have her eyebrow pierced I took her ther e too. Unfortunately Mitch wasn't piercing at that time so another piercer did it. She basically did a terrible job (poor placement, incorrect jewellery, no aftercare instructions etc) and Nicole left very unhappy. After a few days of listening to her complaining I wrote a letter to the owner of the studio to let her know what had happened. Tanya wrote back apologising and offered my girlfriend and I a free piercing each with the jewellery of our choice.
At A Glance Author Kerryn Contact kerryn_lee@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Mitch Studio Four Roses Body Piercing Studio Location Adelaide, South Australia Once Nicole had removed her eyebrow ring we waited a couple of weeks for it to heal (it was migrating) before returning to the studio so she could have her eyebrow redone and I could have my navel pierced. We met Tanya, the owner, and she was lovely. Tammy was on reception today and she was really sweet too. Mitch pierced Nicole's eyebrow ring with a 10mm blue titanium curved barbell and she was much happier this time. Nicole opted not to use the Emla cream which she had used the first time. She said it hardly hurt at all but then she's a lot braver than I am. Then it was my turn. As I am a real-sized woman I opted for a 12mm barbell. Unfortunately there was only a small range of in this size so I selected a 12mm double jewelled (clear) surgical stainless steel 14g barbell. Being the chicken that I am I opted for the Emla which was applied followed by a patch. We trotted off down the street to wander around for an hour and grab something to eat while the Emla took effect.
Once the time was up we returned to the studio where I was frightened to death by another customer's pet snake. We waited while Mitch finished up with another customer (a businessman with multiple genital piercings - wouldn't have guessed by looking at him that's for sure) so we looked around the shop for a while. When it was my turn we went into the piercing room and I stood on the step at the end of the chair while Mitch cleaned and marked me. Once that was done it was time to lay down which in my fearful state I took my time with. I breathed deeply with my eyes closed and tried to relax. I wiggled my toes like I always used to do to distract myself when my orthodontist would take an impression of my teeth. I felt some fiddling going on around my tummy as the clamps were placed then it was all done. I honestly did not feel a thing. I lay there for a while then slowly sat up and drank some water. I then stood up to have a look in the mirror before a patch was stuck on. Aftercare was explained (antibacterial soap twice daily) and Nicole bought herself a new nose ring then we left.
I began taking paracetamol right away to prevent any pain and a couple of hours later everything is fine. Four Roses is a great studio, it's very clean and the staff are lovely - very personable, knowledgeable and helpful. There's a good selection of jewellery and they do just about any piercing including genitals. They have a separate little piercing room out the back and the autoclave in another back room. They also have a small range of clothing and t-shirts. They have another little section filled with incense, candles and related items.
Anyone in Adelaide wanting to get pierced should go see Mitch at Four Roses. Mary is also great, she helped me out with some scarring issues I had with my nose. Thanks everyone at Four Roses for another great experience.