At college I have one good friend who is also interested in body piercing. We occasionally discuss our piercings and ones that we would like to get. One sunny afternoon last semester I told him I was bored. After a short discussion I asked if he would go with me to get my nape pierced. He agreed and I was psyched.
At A Glance Author nikuki Contact nikuki@gmail.com IAM nikuki When Three months ago Artist Chris Studio White Tiger Tattoos Location Akron, OH We went down to White Tiger Tattoos on Brown St. I had heard good things about Gypsy and had read everything on his web site—now it was time to meet him!
Being a Wednesday afternoon, the place was quiet, only Gypsy and an apprentice of his, Chris, were there. Suddenly, my bravery ran out and I nudged my friend to tell him what I wanted. Alas, I was told that they do not do surface piercings and I was crushed. I argued that I knew it might not be permanent and such, but to no avail. I half wondered if he had wanted me to prove that I knew something about it first.
I was, however, determined not to leave without a new piece of shiny metal in my body. "How about a lower navel?" I asked. I could always get my nape done later on, somewhere else. I had long ago decided that it was too "mainstream" for me to get a regular navel. I really wanted a navel because I want a hole for most every type of jewelry. I can wear plugs, tunnels, nose screws, and any kind of ring, now I just need a hole for a curved barbell (navel) and one for a straight barbell (I'm not sure what that one is going to be yet, though). Part of being who I am is going against the grain, any grain, and I get to choose which ones. A little hypocritical, but who isn't? After showing my belly button, Gypsy agreed. It wasn't a nape, but it was also on my list of piercings to get.
The procedure went as well as I expected. I was a little bit apprehensive to let an apprentice perform it, but I felt alright with it because Gypsy was closely watching every move. Chris helped me pick out a barbell, (I kind of had to beg to get a barbell instead of a captive, which bothered me) he asked me what color, and, of course, I said "green". When he showed me an emerald green double-gemmed one I immediately knew that it was perfect; it was almost if he had read my mind and new exactly what I would like. He asked me if I wanted the bigger ball on the top, upside down, or on the bottom like a normal navel. I decided that it would look better if the barbell were upside down, so the bigger ball was inside my navel.
Chris had me lay down on the bench (one like in a doctor's office) and marked me. In hindsight I think that if he would have marked me while I was standing up it would have been better because it was very uncomfortable to lie on that bench. I psyched myself up for the piercing by taking deep, slow breaths while Chris got the equipment and the jewelry ready. I didn't pay a bit of attention to what he was doing. I thought to myself that it might actually hurt if I wasn't properly prepared mentally.
He asked if I was ready and I nodded. The clamps were placed very gently, they didn't pinch one bit, and of that I was surely grateful. He told me to take a deep breath and as I exhaled he pierced me, from the inside of my navel outward. That was easy; it barely felt like a pinch. I knew that inserting the jewelry would hurt more. I prepared myself, shut my eyes and in it went. I silently screamed to myself "That's externally threaded—ouch!" His transfer was so smooth, though, that it wasn't very painful, but it did feel like he really had to shove it through. He screwed on the bottom bead and I was all done.
I got up and checked it out in the mirror. It was awesome. A little crooked, but I didn't say anything, half thinking that I was hallucinating. Chris got out a big band-aid to put on it and that freaked me out. He said to leave it on for an hour. I figured that the band-aid really wouldn't make any difference whatsoever, so I agreed.
My friend was happy for me and I told him that he should get something done while we were there. Before we left he ended up getting his nipples pierced. He rocks.
We went back to campus and he showed off his nips, but I didn't show off my navel. I suppose that is because I truly got it done for myself, and not for others.
Healing/Update
I didn't read the aftercare sheet I was given right away because I knew what works for me as far as healing. It's a combination of what my last piercer recommended and advice from another piercer that I met online.
It's been four months since I've been pierced. I don't typically heal very fast, so it's still on its way. Four months is about the minimum for navels I've heard. I think it'll be done healing by next month. I think it has pretty much straightened itself out as well (even though it wasn't very far off to begin with).
I am sad that White Tiger is closed now, because I would definitely recommend it and go back!