Having learned a few things from my last experience, I knew that I could easily DIY my navel. I still had some redness, and a lot of scar tissue from my preceding failure, yet it was the time. I had just been laid off a job that didn't allow me to have it (not a rule, but because of the physical requirement). At first I only intended to do a standard navel, but sometimes things don't always turn out like we want.
At A Glance Author kyo Contact kyo@bme.anon IAM kyo When It just happened Now, DIY can be dangerous! I believe I can handle most of what can show up, and I know where to head if something goes wrong while piercing, or on the after math. Please don't repeat this at home, only read for information.
I applied some Emla, and took about an hour to rethink about my motivations, why was I doing my navel? I figure it was to follow the major trend so no one would ;think I'm out of style... (No offence to anyone) Anyone who knows me knows that it just can't be it. I have some will to stretch it big. But it has another meaning. In the past I had a difficult abortion experience. This piercing just reconnects me with this event. Having something tied to my navel, is like if I had taken this life into my own belly.
The Emla was there for an hour, I let it sit longer, just in case. I took out my jewelry, needle, and some lubricant (I never used any before, but I have to say it helps a lot) and cleaned my work station. I marked my navel, not only 2 small dots, but a line across it to have a better sight of it, and to ease the straightening of the needle.
I opted to do it free hand, it wasn't my first trial, and I knew I could do it. So I sat down, lined up the needle behind the scar tissue, and start to push. It got through the first layer of skin like a charm, painless, and fast. I kept on pushing, but it didn't want to budge. I pushed harder and harder, but I couldn't get through the thick skin inside my navel. My thumb started to numb, so I took out the needle, and rethought the plan. I needed something to hold the skin while I pushed the needle. I had no real idea of what I could use. I took out a plaster to cover my thumb (Old sewing trick). I saw 2 play piercing needles. I had a flash; I could use the protective plastic as a receiving tube! I introduced a play piercing needle in my sterile field. Re-gloved, and I was off again. I lined up the needle in the same cut I had done on the previous attempt. I lined up ;the plastic tube and pushed the needle, in a matter of 30 seconds, the needle was through. I took the PTFE bar; I was worried since I couldn't really put any pressure on it. I simply pulled the needle, and followed gently the flexible bar. It was a breeze!
I headed for a shower, and looking into the mirror, the 1" bar was obviously too long. I looked at my mark, and figured I could easily do the inverse navel, and get an industrial. So I headed back to my room, got a new needle, a new receiving tube, and I was off again. I don't know it it's the Emla that I smudged over my navel, or if it's really painless, but I didn't felt a thing while the needle got through the first layer of skin. Then I picked up the receiving tube and started to push my way out. But I couldn't get the needle out, it seemed like it was running under my skin. I lowered my sitting position to get the best grip I could on ;the tissue and pointed the needle up, where it could only go outward. I give a good push, and the cutting part of the needle was through the second layer of skin. I took a deep breath, and pushed the needle so hard, the bevel and the whole 1 1/2" got through. I had lost the piercing in a matter of a second! I took the needle out, lined it up with the holes I had just done, and free hand I got the needle through in a matter of 10 seconds. The needle was tough, but the jewelry was already in another piercing, I was scared to lose the connection. I took out the bead, and did a follow up like I had done previously, it was simply too easy!
It was such an easy piercing (especially the inverse one), I now worry that it rejects. The PTFE jewelry is VERY nice since it's not tight in the piercing, like stainless steel 316 can do for fresh piercing. Also the crusties aren't sticking to the bar. It reflects as the jewelry moves freely, and I only have to remove the crusties from the beads. I use a sea salt soak and LITHA after care, hopefully I'll be able to make this baby heal properly and I know it will surely grow on me...