When I was 12 years old, I decided that I was really into piercings. Of course, ear lobe piercings are normal, but I was more into it than that. None of my other friends had "real" piercings, so I wanted to be different. I knew if I asked my parents, they would probably freak out and tell me that there is no reason for another hole to be in my body. Well, that's what my Dad would say. My mom would probably be cool about it, but why take the chance of getting a huge lecture? So how about I just do a piercing by myself? Not a bad idea. I just had to figure out when a good time is to do it, and what I should do. It has to be hidden from my parents, of course.
At A Glance Author Monique When Two years ago Artist Monique Studio My Room Location New Jersey Attempt # One:
I was home alone one day and decided that a belly button ring is not that hard to hide, and plus, the summer is just about over. So I went about, looking for a needle. At the time I did not know that I needed a thick needle, I thought any needle would work fine. So I went along with a safety pin. I washed it with hot water and anti-bacterial soap, and then soaked it in some rubbing alcohol. Then I took a cotton ball and cleaned up my belly button area. I did not use any ice, because I just wanted to stick the needle right through, and I knew if I used ice, then the safety pin would not go through easily. I did not use any Vaseline on the needle. The piercing process was not as easy as I thought it would be. I pushed the needle as hard as I could, and it barely punctured my top layer of skin. So I went for a second shot. I managed to get it almost all the way through, but the needle wouldn't go through the bottom layer of skin to save my life. I decided to stop. There was some blood, so I threw the safety pin away and cleaned up my belly button. I am actually glad that this attempt did not work because of how small the needle was and the fact that I did not have a piece of jewelry to put in once I was done.
Attempt # Two:
Now about one week later, I tried again. This time I actually had a banana barbell to go in after I finished the piercing. But I needed a new needle. I rooted through my mom's sewing basket and picked out the thickest needle I could find. I soaped and watered the needle, then I soaked it in rubbing alcohol. I also soaked the barbell in some rubbing alcohol. Then I cleaned my belly button and off I went. I sat on the floor, but I was leaning against the bottom of my bed, so my stomach was flat and stretched out. I pushed as hard as I could and the needle got almost all the way through. I took a few deep breaths, then I pushed the needle through the bottom layer of skin. It pinched a little bit, but it was not that bad. Whew! That was over! Barely any pain. So I screwed the barbell in and looked in the mirror. SHIT! It was not centered all that well. How nice is that? This was not the result that I expected, but I decided to keep it in, and I would eventually decide if I should keep it or not.
Three Days Later:
By now, my piercing was looking quite infected. I took it out, because I did not want to take any risks. I really did not want to take it out, it was my own little secret. I had been cleaning it twice a day, every day with sea salt, and then with soap. It was really red, and there was a little bit of blood in the mornings when I woke up. And plus, every time I made a move, it hurt my stomach. So I made another brave decision and asked my mom if I could get my belly button done professionally. It took a few months and a lot of pleading for her to say yes, especially because I told her that I had pierced my own, and she was mad. So about four months down the road, she took me to get it done. I have scars from when I had pierced it myself, but they are looking better every day. As for my professionally done belly button, it looks great! I have had it for about two years now. I now regret piercing my belly button by myself, I really wish I had waited and asked my mom first. But I definitely recommend getting it done professionally, please do not do what I did because you never know what the result can be.