For about almost 2 years I've always wanted my navel pierced. I was brought up by an Asian family so they've been pretty strict about piercing. They said that only one earring on each ear is valid, I guess. But I managed to convince them to get me a second one. To tell you the truth, I was more nervous for getting my second whole done with a gun than getting my navel pierced professionally by Dave. I've been begging and begging for my navel done. And of course, my mother said NO. My father would let me get it just as long as my mom would approve of it. I always told her I would take good care of it, do what I am supposed to do, and even lower my allowance. She still despised the idea of me getting it done. "Wow. What can I do in order to make my mom say yes? I really want this," I kept thinking. But finally, in the middle of September my mother I can get it... BUT (there's always a "but") I have to study harder in school and lower my allowance. Thank goodness I didn't have to do chores.
At A Glance Author samMy Contact lilaznfo0xt@yahoo.com When A week ago Artist Dave Studio Lola's Tattoos Location Bogota, New Jersey Looking for a good, clean place was pretty hard to find especially when you don't want to drive far. Whenever I went to Bogota, I would always pass by this tattoo parlor called "Lola's Tattoos", and they would have a sign that said "Body Piercing". So I looked online for information about the shop. If you live in the upper part of New Jersey and seems interested in "Lola's Tattoos" go to www.lolastattoos.com. While searching through BME, I found that some people went to "Pleasurable Piercing" which seems very professional and clean, but they say that the piercer didn't clamp the skin which makes the piercing hurt a lot. I am not very fond of needles or pain. I'm such a chicken and whines whenever someone would punch me lightly as a joke. So, I thought that the place was so out of the question. So, I decided to go to "Lola's Tattoos" because it was only 5 minutes away and the people seem very nice.
I go there with my mother, my aunt, and my friend. Deano made us sign papers and he took both me and my mom's ID. After filling in the forms, my friend and I were looking at their hot tattoos. 10 minutes later, Dave calls me to go in and said I can bring my friend in with me. He told me to pick my jewelry and all I saw were CBRs. I asked him if I can get a barbell since it wouldn't move as much. He said that the CBR is easier to clean and would cut the healing time in half so I can go back in about 2 months to get it changed to a barbell. I trusted his words more than mine because he's the professional here, not me. I chose my CBR with a blue gem. While I was still standing up he marked my navel. Then, he fixed the dentist looking chair and made me lie on it. How nervous I was! My heart was beating like crazy and he told me to relax. He said that it was just a simple procedure and it won't hurt, it actually feels pretty good, and that a shot hurts 20 times more. On th e ceiling there was a pair of breasts there. One nipple was pierced and the other had a Spongbob keychain hanging from it (couldn't stop laughing at that).Okay, back to the subject. The whole thing took about 15 minutes. Most of the time is just preparing the tools and sterilizing them. The actual piercing took about 2 seconds. He cleaned my navel with this brown looking stuff. I know what it's called, but I can't really think of what it is right now lol. After that I closed my eyes and didn't want to see anything he was doing. Even though I couldn't see, I could tell that he was clamping my navel. People say that hurts the most, but let me tell you, all you can feel is cold steel pressed against you with a little pressure. Not a pinch did I feel. Dave told me to breathe in and out and when I exhale on the count of three he was gong to stick it in. 5 seconds later he said "The worst is over," and I see him screwing on the bead. Wow. It didn't hurt at all! I was expecting s o much more. Whew! Dave helped me relax (so did the boobs). I went off the chair gently because I was afraid if I bend it would hurt. We thanked and paid Dave and left. I couldn't help but stare at it on the way home. My friend said it looked weird because she's not the type of girl that would get a piercing or a tattoo.
The next day it felt pretty sore, but not as sore as the third day. The third day was the worst. You can barely sit in school. So I had to slouch. The 4th-7th day it felt pretty sore still. It's been about three weeks. I got it on Sept. 23, 2003 and now it is Oct. 18. I never missed a day of cleaning it with Dial antibacterial soap twice a day. Dave said that sea salt soaking wasn't necessary for it will dry out the skin. DO NOT USE PEROXIDE OR ALCOHOL. That will cause irritation. It's very important to take extra good care of your freshly pierced navel because it can get infected easily. If you take proper care of it, it is very rare for you to get an infection or a migration.
If you are not sure about getting it done, think about the pros and cons carefully and don't get it unless you're really sure. For those who want it, I advise you to go and get it. It doesn't hurt. Although the amount of pain varies from different people, it didn't hurt for me, and if you think it might hurt you, just think of it this way; the pain would only last for just a moment, but the art and beauty of it would last for eternity. You'll be glad you got it over with and that you now wear pretty jewelry on your navel! If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at lilaznfo0xt@yahoo.com. Good luck piercing!