About 4 years ago, I decided to get my belly pierced. Up to that point, I had not really been too into piercings (I had more of an interest in tattoos), but got it into my head that I really wanted to get this done. My only problem was that my parents are EXTREMELY strict, and I would have no one to sign for me, and I also had no means of transportation to a piercing shop.
At A Glance Author Janice Contact Janice@bme.anon When Five years ago Studio Black Dragon Tattoo Location Altoona PA A friend of mine was friends with someone who was 18, so we asked her if she would take us and pretend she was my aunt to see if whichever piercer we went to would let her sign for me. Dumb idea, but I figured it was worth a try.
So on began our journey. The first tattoo parlor we found would not let me get it done. I think they sensed right away that we were too young. At least that's the feeling I got. So it was back in the car and on to the next shop. My friend mentioned that she saw one before that I guess had not been around very long. When we got in there, I looked at the various flash posted on the wall. There was only one room where tattoos and piercing were done, but it was pretty well organized, so that was a plus. The tattoo artist came up to me and asked what I wanted done, and I told him. He seemed relatively polite. I remember him asking me if this was something that would anger my parents, and I told him that although my mom would not be happy about it, it wouldn't be a problem. I think he was pretty much just worried that he would have a mother raving about letting me get this don't without parental consent. He then said that it was illegal to tattoo a minor without the sig nature of a guardian, but not illegal to pierce, which I am not sure if that is true or not. He asked me if I could come back in about 30-45 minutes, because the lady that did the piercings would not be there till then. I said that it would be fine.
My friends and I then went over to two stores to kill some time, and at this point, I was extremely nervous. I had only ever had my ears pierced once, and I was about 5 years old at the time, so I really didn't remember much of what it was like. Plus, this would be a 14 gauge. I thought that maybe it would feel like a shot, but I wasn't sure.
So, 45 minutes passed and it was back to the shop. His piercer had not yet arrived, so I sat there for about 10 more minutes (I'm really not sure) until she came. I was nuts at this point. She led me into the room, and I was nervous like I had never been before. My hands where shaking and I could definitely feel my face turning red. I have pretty bad nerves, I guess. Even when I get my pulse taken I get nervous, so this was really a trip. She then wiped my belly off and put a dot on it and asked me if I thought it looked alright. It looked pretty centered to me, and that was what I was mostly worried about. She asked me if I wanted a hoop or barbell, which I didn't think I'd have a choice, but I was pretty happy that I did and chose the barbell. She told me to lie down on the table they had set up, and I watched her take out the needle and barbell. All of which were packaged. She put on her gloves, walked over to me and then the tattoo guy, who I guess went outside for a smoke break or something, popped his head through a window that was right above the table I was laying on, which scared the crap outta me. Anyway, she put a clamp of some sort on my stomach, which she told me would hurt more than the actual piercing, told me to take a deep breath, and when I exhaled she stuck the needle through. At this point I thought she was done and I started to lift my head and she told me to lay back down. I guess she still had to get the barbell through. I laid there waiting and then I felt her twisting the ball on and I figured she was done. The tattoo guy came back into the room and said that I looked pretty white and should lay down for a while, but I knew I would be alright. I laid there for maybe 15 more seconds and then started to get up, smiled and said I was fine, thanked both of them, and then paid. It cost $50, which I think was close to the price that other shops were charging at the time.
I was amazed! It was not at all what I expected it to be. I think pain is played out to be a lot more than what it really is. I thought the piercing looked great, but when I went to change the barbell, I noticed that when I put a banana shaped one in that it just kind of dangled there. I don't think she pierced it through enough skin, but it doesn't look too bad. Anyway, for the aftercare, I just used bactine, washed it with dial, and I was told not to use neosporin after the first week unless I thought it was absolutely necessary, and never to use peroxide because it would kill the cells that heal it. I was pretty worried about it getting infected, but it never did. Since then, I've had my ears pierced a second time, and my cartilage pierced, and I'm happy with all of them. :o)