I'd never really been that keep on navel piercings, they seemed kind of plain and way too many people that I knew had them. For a few years now I've been into piercings, but a navel didn't really excite me in the same way that a labret or an industrial did. My best friend on the other hand, was crazy about them. I'd missed her birthday a few months ago, as I was on holiday at the time, and I'd never really made up for that – but when it came closer to mine, I came up with the idea of getting both of our navels done at the same time! If it wouldn't of been for her I never would of even considered it. I decided I didn't just want a standard one, so I began doing some research about the different kinds and knew that a lower one was perfect for me as soon as I saw it!
At A Glance Author Stacey Contact Stacey@bme.anon When It just happened Artist John Studio Venus Location Bristol, England, UK A few weeks later, after we had arranged all of it and were ready to go on the weekend ahead of us, something came up and she was no longer able to come with me on that day. Part of me felt like pulling out there and then, but the other part of me had its heart set on going through with it – so I went with that! They'd told me that no appointment was necessary and just to come down whenever so they could fit me in at the next available time. I decided that the earlier I got there the better, so me and my mum set out at about 10.30am and got there at around 11. There was no one waiting ahead of me, so at least I didn't have to wait around. I picked out the bar that I wanted, answered a few questions and was then told I should go and get something small to eat while they were sterilizing the bar and come back in about 20 minutes.
When I returned I confirmed that I was the person that had came in a little earlier and I was asked to take a seat while my mum paid and signed some forms. Across the room I noticed the woman that had served me before had a horrified look on her face, and quietly mentioned to one of the other women working there that she had forgotten to sterilize the bar. At this point I felt a bit uneasy, but pushed that thought to the back of my mind. She came over to check which bar it was that I wanted, and I was happy to show her, but I was asked about 9 times in the next 15 minutes to refresh their memories as to which on I had picked. Now I began to panic! 'Why the hell am I still sat in this seat? I can't believe I'm still here' I repeatedly said to my mum who was sat beside me telling me it would be fine but I could tell was feeling just the same as me deep down!
Shortly after, the piercer, John, came out and told me how long I would be in there for and asked me to follow him. We went into a small white room with aromatherapy music softly playing in the background. I was asked to remove my jacket and lie down as straight as I could on the bench. Then he began talking to me whilst cleaning the area and explaining it all as he was going. He marked it up and I checked it in a hand mirror and then a full-length mirror while I was standing up to check if I thought it was straight. He ended up moving the top dot slightly and then I was completely satisfied and ready to go! He asked me to take long, deep breaths and to keep the pattern going, even after he had done it. Then he clamped it, which as I expected was the part that hurt most, numbed it and then after the count of 3, pierced it! The piercing itself lasted about 2 seconds at the most and was virtually painless!
He told me to sit up at a speed I felt comfortable with, and got a shock when I did it as I normally would! He was asking me if I felt dizzy, faint or shaky but I felt fine. I sat there for a few minutes, checked it out in the mirror a couple of times and then had a plaster put over it. Then I stood up, got given a sweet and went back out to my mum with a huge grin on my face! He explained how to look after it and what the worst things to do were, and answered all the questions that we had to ask. I was given some oil and was told to put it one twice a day for 2 weeks, and not to hesitate to give them a call if I had any more questions or problems.
So even though I didn't go with my friend which was the whole point of going, I've got no regrets and absolutely love my first (and definitely the last) non-ear piercing!