On the day of my eighteenth birthday, I went with my boyfriend down to a local piercing studio to get a navel ring done. While I had wanted one for quite some time, my parents gave me the standard "not while you're under my roof". Luckily for me, I had left for college a few months earlier, which meant that the piercing world, at least, was my oyster. I had trouble thinking what piercing I would get first, because I had many ideas swimming around in my head. After reading firsthand accounts online, checking out several piercing books, and doing some general thinking, I had decided. I would go for my eternally longed-after belly button piercing. How exciting for me! I couldn't wait.
At A Glance Author ChainedLove Contact ChainedLove@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Maggie Studio Maggie Maye's Tucson Tattoo Location AZ Though I had already had the traditional ear piercings done, as well as two cartilidge piercings and one large tattoo on my hip, I was worried about the pain, and nervous about the procedure. But I couldn't help it -- though they are disgustingly trendy, I find belly button rings adorable. So I sucked it up and, with thirty bucks in my pocket (or so), I went for it.
When I first showed up, I went through general paperwork/license copying procedure. After a short wait, it was into the back room for the piercing. The woman who did my piercing (I believe it was Maggie, though I did not really do my homework, and can't quite remember) was very friendly. The room was large, with a brown doctor-type piercing chair, complete with vinyl cover. This was where I was going to be pierced. As the reality settled, in the butterflies in my stomach that had been somewhat dormant at that point had come back with a vengence. Maggie talked me through the piercing procedure: mark this, clamp that, pierce this... It all sounded standard. But my nerves were still jittery.
First, she had me lift my shirt, then marked the piercing area with one of those disposable markers. After making sure that I liked the placement, she had me lay down on the piercing table. The studio was very sterile; a new needle was used every time, everything smelled quite antisceptic; and there was King of the Hill on the television where I could watch it, and try to calm my nerves.
First came the clamps, which I must say, were the worst part -- though not as painful as clamping the cartilidge. Maggie took a new, clean, curved, scary looking needle and told me to take a breath. I couldn't look, so I shut my eyes and braced for the worst.
I'm not going to lie and say that it didn't hurt, because it did. It was a sharp pain, but over quickly. I was pleased, because it didn't hurt as must as I thought it would. Then came the ring, which was worse than the piercing, but still bearable. I stood up and got a look at the ring placement, and was very pleased with what I saw.
After receiving instructions, I paid and left. Though I bled a little bit, the piercing was worth it. The only problem I had with the care was the trouble I had soaking the ring in saline -- it can be tricky when you are sharing a single room with two other girls. But I managed to do it, and the piercing healed nicely.
Now, almost two years later, I still love -- and don't regret -- my navel piercing. If you really want one (and not for trendys sake), for God's sake, go for it! Just make sure you find a sterile studio and a decent piercer. I should have done my homework beforehand, but I lucked out.
As for changing your jewelry afterhand, make sure that you wait the minimum time your piercer suggests. I attempted to replace the jewelry earlier on, and ended up with a rather nasty, and quite painful, infection. Unless you really enjoy having to soak your various bits in saline solution, I wouldn't recommend trying some home jewelry exchange.
Also -- and I really can't stress this enough -- resist the tempting urge to touch the jewelry after you get it pierced. This easily leads to infection, as human hands aren't exactly the cleanest in the world. I also had a hard time keeping my hands off, which led with some brief, unpleasant swelling in the piercing area.
Finally, for the love of God, don't pierce yourself! Pins, sewing needles, etc. aren't the equipment you need. And even if you have the proper stuff, your bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom isn't the sterile environment you might believe it is, which can lead to major infection. Very unpleasant. Just shell out the thirty or forty bucks, and go for it! You won't regret it.