My original intentions for the past months have been to get a tattoo. I've spent hours driving to many different tattoo/piercing shops around my area to see how clean and comfortable they were only to have an anxiety attack (or be told tattoos are for ages 21 and up) each time. I had my sketch with me everywhere and would speak with artists about it, etc. I had become so enwrapped with getting a tattoo that I forgot about my original obsession that has been with me for years...my lower navel.
At A Glance Author Kristy Contact Kristy@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Dave Studio Rising Phoenix Location Addison, IL I started to stare at my belly-button in the mirror more than often, and even take my own felt tip markers to see where it could lie. But alas, my navel is not shaped to accept a lower piercing as well as the average ho-hum regular navel.
On a Saturday night my boyfriend took me to Rising Phoenix in Addison, IL (mostly for its close location) so we could look around at their portfolios of both tattoos and piercings. The younger man there (I didn't catch his name) was very helpful and continuously asked if we needed any help. I lifted my shirt to show my belly-button and questioned about getting the lower part pierced. He pointed out what I had already discovered myself, "There's much more to pierce on top. The bottom could be done, but it's more prone to rejection."
Since it was already 10:30 at night I figured I should let it be for now and try some other time. Who would have thought I would have gotten that bug up my butt the next day? Well, I did, so we went back to Rising Phoenix and I stood at the counter nervously for quite some time. The same younger gentleman continued to ask if I needed help and I talked out my dilemma with him...Which half should I pierce? I talked with my boyfriend, myself, and the man some more, and being the chicken I am, I went with the upper navel. He gave me a form to fill out and sign, checked my ID, and took my $50.00 ($30.00 for the piercing, $20.00 for the stainless steel CBR).
I watched as two girls went before me (the long decision making process had booted me back in line). The first, a seventeen-year-old, skinny as a rail, blond, signed the consent form with her mother and stepped up to the "booth." It's more like a short-walled permanent cubicle of sorts—low enough so people can see what's going on but high enough so you still feel that you have your privacy. I watched as the piercer with the dusty-blond hair and beard prepared and pierced her navel, quicker than I ever imagined. He moved onto the next, a much more nervous girl who had her friend with that was getting her tongue pierced. After that one was finished it was between my navel and her tongue...neither of us wanted to go next. As we giggled out of nerves and volunteered each other to go, a piercer with a slick backed ponytail came out of the back and said, "Navel, next...Yes, now."
That actually was the best thing for me as it snapped me out of my nervous state and put me back to reality where in fact, I was about to have a needle stuck through my skin. He put on fresh gloves and showed me as he removed the needle and jewelry from sterile packages. I made sure it was a 14 gauge CBR and he replied, "nothing but." I stood in front of him with my shirt folded up as he cleaned me and marked the spots for the needle to come in and out of. He placed the clamps, double checking their position, and had me lay back on the reclined vinyl chair. He told me to, "breath and relax, it'll be over in a second," and boy was he right!
The needle went through immediately followed by the jewelry (he had butted it up against the end of the needle in one swift motion). He placed the ball in the CBR and had me stand up. He double checked to make sure it was straight, cleaned it off again, and said, "all set!" I asked, "What's your name again?" "Dave," he replied. "Well thank you, Dave!"
On my way out, the younger gentleman gave me an aftercare sheet and I stopped to look in the mirror. Gosh, for not really wanting this piercing, I sure did love it! Sitting wasn't uncomfortable, nor was anything really...Except for cracking my back. Oh did that upset me; normally I twist to either side, but for the first day I could feel it pulling, so I avoided that motion for a few more. The aftercare sheet read,
"1) Wash your hands. 2) Wash away any crusty matter stuck to outside of piercing and jewelry with mild anti-bacterial soap. 3) Put soap on jewelry and rotate jewelry. 4) Rinse piercing while rotating jewelry."
>From my previous research of piercings I realized that I wasn't going to follow these steps too closely. At first I did, for the wrong reason, but because putting soap felt very soothing. After the first day of washing with soap I switched to non-iodized sea salt soaks (after running to the health-store). I find this way of cleaning to be much nicer and less irritating as a whole. So far crusties have been very minimal and there has been very little discomfort
Five days have passed now since I got the piercing, and it is no longer tender to the touch. It is still quite sensitive, but if the jewelry moves side to side it's not as uncomfortable as before. I still clean it one to two times a day, depending on what activities I have throughout the day, and I try to use a hot compress every night, which is very soothing.
My first "official" piercing experience has been a good one, and though Rising Phoenix needs a little help on their aftercare advice, I will trust them with my future body modification endeavors.