Well from my terrible experience of having my tragus pierced in Basingstoke just over two weeks ago, ( some said I'd be scarred for life ) but nothing can put me off something if I want something done! So I decided to go to Images In Ink in my local town for the top and bottom of my navel pierced. I had been there before to have my navel pierced about 18 months ago, but I decided to take it out as it was growing out and kept catching on my clothes etc.
At A Glance Author Kate Leach Contact Kate Leach@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Not sure! Studio Images in ink Location Andover, UK But since getting my tragus pierced two weeks ago ( another story ill have to submit )I was still not put off piercings and I had the piercing itch, I was just put off of area 51 and women doing piercings! I'm not sexist being a women myself but I feel she's given women a bad name which is a shame. Pain was also not an issue for me ... in a freaky sort of way I was looking forward to the pain. So off I went with my friend, Kelly who also wanted her navel pierced but wimped out in the end.
I think it pays to do research and use recommendations from your friends. Images In Ink has a good reputation where I live for being clean and a quality service whereas area 51 in Basingstoke where I got my tragus pierced has not got such a positive reputation ( which I didn't find out until afterwards )
Before I got there I made sure I had some sugary foods to give me some energy, ( although it meant my diet went tits up ) quite important because no my last few piercings I did feel a bit faint!
When I got there no-one was waiting to get pierced, just a few people waiting for tattoos and having a general chit chat. So off the piercer took me ( sorry I didn't ask his name ) and told him what I wanted. I wanted the top and bottom of my navel pierced. I had to tuck my top into my bra to stop it from falling down. He then spent about 5 minutes marking me up and made sure I was happy. I was surprised by how clean everything was and how friendly the people were. He told me everything he was doing and he asked me to lie on the Dr style table. He rested the clamps and other various tools, which he got out of the audioclave i think thats wot its called, which I didn't see on my tummy so he could pick them up easy.
The bottom piercing didn't hurt at all ... I asked for that to be done first because I was told it hurt more. First he clamped it up and then sprayed some freezy stuff on it, then pushed the needle through - this to me just felt like he was pinching the clamp more ... For me the top hurt more ... I don't no whether it was because I was having it re-pierced or because I was more sensitive. But the piercer had to push really hard which caused a bit of bleeding to get the needle through.
He then cleared everything up and went through how to clean the piercings. He even offered for me to come back in two weeks, steralise my new jewellery and put it in for free.
Anyway it was done and looked great ... the piercer even gave me a discount but I made it up by giving him a good tip. I would recommend going to Images In Ink if you're in the area. Its reasonably priced and they're all very friendly.
But my friend Kelly went all squimish and decided against the idea. what a wimp! i think maybe me making her hold my hand so she could feel some pain and her seeing what was happening put her off the idea!
When I got home I showed my Mum she was quite impressed although she though I was only going to get one piercing done not two, but she thought it was my body and it was up to me. I also made up a little story as a backup to make sure she wasn't too mad!
It bled a little bit, nothing major though. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would either, it hasn't really swollen up which I'm pleased about, I just hope it's comfortable to sleep on.
If you want something done go for it ... otherwise you may regret it. you're only young once! But use your gut instinct to say whether you should carry out with the piercing, if something doesn't feel right, wait and find some where you feel comfortable with.
Happy piercing
Kate
x x