I was just thirteen when I first wanted my navel pierced. All I had done at that point was my first and second ears. I saw it on my friend and it looked so cool - I had to have it. Does anyone else see something and the they want it? Well thats what happened to me. I researched loads about it and kept checking things on BME and I decided I would ask my mum. I wasn't going to tell my dad until I had it done because he is the most overprotective dad in the world. Trust me, even though he doesn't live in my house he is still checking up on me! I guess its the fact that I'm sixteen now, anyway ... I kept bugging my mum to have it for months until she said yes in the summer holidays. We went to Just Tattoo (which no longer pierces) and I convinced my mum to have it done as well! I went first because I knew she would freak out and I didn't want to get scared. I was a bit nervous (well I was going to have a needle shoved through my skin).
At A Glance Author jese Contact jese@bme.anon When N/A Studio Just Tattoo Location Boundary Lane My best friend and little sister came along for the ride, neither of them wanted to watch us have it done, but ironically my sister now has it done. The tension had built up in the car and I was getting really nervous. I think a standard navel piercing looks really nice and there are so many different types of jewelry that you can buy. In the waiting room I was looking at all of the tattoo designs on the wall, they all seemed so great, I think I will definitely get a tattoo sometime.
There were papers that we had to sign and it cost me thirty-five pounds for my chosen belly bar and twenty-five pounds for my mum's. Once everything was sorted out we went through to the piercing room and it all looked so clean and clinical. All of the stuff was in sealed bags and I could tell it was clean and new. I sat down first and my heart started to thump. The woman could tell I was worried and she calmed me down and I felt comfortable. Everything was sterilized and I was asked about the equipment and the positioning of the mark. I had to sit on the edge of the chair and sort of lean back so that the woman could get a good bit of flesh to pierce (sounds yuck). The piercer wiped my navel clean and she put on some anesthetic, then she put these little, slightly awkward clamps on and pulled a bit(that was the worst part)then I closed my eyes and felt a tiny sting as the needle came out at the top. As I think about it, I wish I had taken a look because it was not painful and it would have been cool to see, oh well. It was weird, I felt all of the anesthetic flooding into my new piercing. Screwing the ball onto the bar felt odd but it was all over with about a minute! It was great!
However, when my mum had hers done she nearly fainted! Some coca-cola was rushed to her and she started to feel better (I think her sugar level was down or something). We had our piercings covered and we left the store, mine bled a little bit but it felt absolutely amazing. My mum thought it hurt a little but I don't think so. I highly recommend to have your navel done! There is little to no pain and the aftercare is simple (just keep it very clean), there was no swelling or redness for me and it looks fantastic. I was told to use salty water to clean it with and not to fiddle with it too much in the beginning. I couldn't wait to show it off to everyone. Although, I did change mine too soon and I stuffed up the hole a little bit before it had healed.
I am now sixteen and I do not regret having the piercing at all. I used to be afraid of having piercings because of the needle but now I realize there is nothing to be afraid of! As long as you go to a reputable studio and look after it well there should be hardly any chance of a problem. I am actually going to get my center tongue pierced right after my exams, my mum has given me permission so I can't wait! I'm almost counting down the weeks, I'm so excited I am thinking of having it done at Styx, if anyone has had a piercing there please contact me! I would like to know how good it is. Happy piercings!