I've always wanted to have my navel pierced, but living with very religious and conservative parents prevented that for a long time. Even after turning 18 in October 2002, I was wary of what they would do. In a desire to prove my adulthood before my high school graduation May 17, I had my navel pierced yesterday May 15.
At A Glance Author hippychik Contact hippychik@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Justin Nave Studio Red Queen Location Chattanooga, TN The whole week before I researched both the procedure itself and specific shops. I decided to get it done in Chattanooga, 30 miles away from my town of Cleveland because the bigger city afforded a better selection. I chose the Red Queen mainly because they were the only shop in the yellow pages to have a website. Their website was great and packed full of information. Although it was not a substitute for awareness during my visit, I felt that a shop that took the time to spell out aftercare info and sterilization laws on their site had to be good.
I arrived at the Red Queen around 5 pm, with my girlfriend Beth chauffering.I walked up outdoor stairs to the second floor and into an airy, clean shop with red and white walls and posters and flash hung up neatly. A young girl and her mother were before me, however I was attended to promptly by a white-bearded man. When he asked if he could help me, I shyly said that I would like to have my navel pierced. The young man behind him with a shaved head, many tats and many piercings said "I'll take her, so she doesn't have to wait." His name was Justin. I filled out a consent form, had my ID checked and copied, and paid $25.
Beth and I were shown to the last door on the right, a room with an adjustable chair, a shelf with jars of cotton balls and other antiseptic supplies, and an artist's desk for tattoos. Justin excused himself to go get a sterile needle and my ring. He came back and made preparations by gloving himself and using betadine on my navel. He asked if I was nervous, and I said "A little." He said "Don't worry, I seen a few of these done," with a wicked smile on his face to let me know it was a joke. He put the tongs on, and Beth grasped my hand. He shoved the needle through, and then the ring. That's it? It only stung a little, I couldn't believe it. He then began to screw the bead on, and said "Dammit!" Uh-oh, I thought, that's not something you want to hear your piercer say. "He just dropped the ball, it's ok," Beth said. We all laughed and he got it on right after. He swabbed it again and then I got up. He told me to use dial soap and betadine and handed me a sheet of aftercare i nstructions. I slipped a $10 into his jeans pocket, a little seductively, I guess. He thanked me and said that it would go for pampers and pointed to a picture of his daughter.
We left, and went in for a night of shopping in Chattanooga. It bled a tiny bit at first, but a little more when I accidentally hit it with a tray in the food court. It takes getting used to, finding a comfortable position sitting and not bending and not sleeping on your stomach, but it's worth it. It's still quite sore today. I guess you really can't expect to poke holes in your body and not have it hurt a little.
That night , when I got home, I showed it to my mom. She shuddered at the thought of the pain, but was otherwise nonchalant. She did admonish me to not let my Dad or grandmother see it. Uh-oh, I had said I'd shop for bathing suits with my grandmother the next day. Thank goodness I got out of it by claiming cramps and we went to yard sales instead. I'm not supposed to swim for a month anyway, and by that time I'll be working, on my way to college, and generally more independant. Besides, to them, it can always be taken out, at least it's not a tattoo. Even people at my church have them, that should be a big selling point.
It's been almost 24 hours now and I'm still looking at my sexy belly every few minutes (but not touching!). Maybe the magic will wear off soon, but only until it heals, then I can bear my midriff and wear a different style of ring or barbell every day. :) Last night, I bought a curved barbell with a pretty pink butterfly on it to go with my shirt, necklace, and earrings I was wearing. Hopefully it will give me the motivation to stick out the 3-6 month healing time and wear my new whole outfit back to the Red Queen, maybe even complete it with a pink butterfly tattoo.