I got my first non ear piercing about five days ago, and when I walked in I was scared, no terrified, for three reasons;
At A Glance Author sugarjunkie Contact sugarjunkie@bme.anon When N/A Artist i dont know Studio the black cat Location North West England 1.When I got my ears pierced despite going to a doctor and using gold studs, they got infected badly.
2. I've wanted my belly pierced for ages, but it never occurred to me that I would actually go through with it, so everything seemed like it was happening to someone else.
3. I was alone. Most of my friends had gone on holiday, or didn't know I was back from mine. My mum couldn't come because she couldn't face it, and my dad was tired so I told him to wait in the car.
I got it done at the local tattoo shop ('The Black Cat'), because I talked to someone who had got numerous piercings and tattoos done there, and who said that it was always clean, and the people there were friendly. I had planned to get it done in Las Vegas, when I was on holiday, but decided not to in case it got infected, and I had to pay the doctors fees. And I also didn't think I'd be allowed, because the only place we saw was right next door to a weed shop. It was so tempting to say 'There's a piercing place. Next door to the dope shop.'
I was intending to get it done the next day, and had just gone in to find out if I would need an appointment, and he told me I could have it done in an hour, or I could come back at five o'clock. I decided to come back, but picked out my jewellery before I went. When I had done this my mum had been with me (in fact what put her of was the sound of the tattoo needle in the other room. It didn't bother me, but she turned positively green. ) and the studio had been busy. Now it was later the whole place seemed deserted. It was creepy. As if I wasn't scared enough.
So i walked in. The man I made the appointment with said 'navel piercing?' and I nodded in agreement. He then gave me something to sign, which I (stupidly) didn't read, and another slip of paper with after care instructions on it. Then he went into the back room where another (heavily tattooed) man, the piercer, was waiting.
He asked what colour bar I'd chosen, and got it from the autoclave (a good sign). Then the piercer asked me to roll up me top, cleaned my belly, and then to lie on the table. I noticed that all of the equipment was laid out ready including something in a packet.
The man who had given me the paper to sign told me to look at a £10 note framed over the door just behind me. I felt something pinching round my belly, and tensed. 'It's ok. He's done the clamps and that's the worst bit.' I can only imagine the look of terror on my face, then he said 'Just relax sweetheart and look up here (on the note) and can you see the queen smiling at you? She gets a cheeky grin, look. Can you feel it going cold? Right then it shouldn't hurt'
This took my mind off the fact I could hear the packet opening and feel the needle going through, then the jewellery. And then it was done. The man who had been talking to me got a mirror and showed me.
It looked great and I said so, but I was so stunned I was actually pierced couldn't say a lot, apart from 'thank you', repeating the care instructions ('warm salt water') and 'bye'. He also said he was glad I'd kept my colour otherwise I would of had to sit down.
So I went home. My mum at first said it looked disgusting, but now says it looks nice. My dad isn't bothered. My brother got his lip (well, his lapel) pierced on the same day at a different place asked if they had opened the needle in front of me. I said no, but i had heard him opening it. I'm glad they didn't show me (and I suppose why) because i would of passed out. This worried my mum, who now thinks, after reading the list of possible medical conditions on the wall of the tattoo place that I've got one, or all of the conditions mentioned.
My brother asked me if it hurt and I told him it didn't really. He said his did and he was never getting pierced again. You should have seen the relief on my mums face.
I've got used to my piercing now and really love it, even though it's a bitch to clean, and I'd love to get more. Maybe when I'm 18 I'll get my nipple done. I doubt it, but I might surprise myself again.