I've always been interested in piercings and tattoos, not to an extreme, just a mild interest I'd say. Years ago, when I was twelve, I fell in love with the idea of a navel piercing. My parents weren't very open to the thought, being that I was so young. Both of them have tattoos, and piercings. Nothing "extreme" these days, but I've heard stories about my mother that I could have gone without hearing. Uhhg. Anyway, since I knew that it wasn't something foreign to either of them, piercings and such, I was quite persistent. Relentless even. Eventually, I got them together and had a serious discussion with them, telling them all that I knew about piercings, and the aftercare. I've always been one to keep myself informed, and knew everything there was to know about this piercing. I've always been responsible for myself, and my actions, and my parents were well aware of this. That being said, the conversation ended with an agreement that I could have it done for my 13th birthday. I was so ecstatic! I couldn't wait, and of course everyone at school knew before it happened. Mind you, my grade school was extremely small, being that I lived in a town of about 800.
At A Glance Author jadedcharlotte Contact jadedcharlotte@bme.anon When Five years ago Artist Can't remember. Studio Humboldt Tattoos and Piercings, no longer an establishment. Location Eureka, CA Cut to my birthday, when I go along with my father, and brother to Humboldt Tattoos and Piercing. I'd never been there before, but it looked nice from the outside. My father knew these people, he's well known as he's part of several Harley biker's groups here. I wasn't nervous upon arrival, but when I stepped into the parlor that all changed. There was heavy metal music blaring out my ear drums, dim lighting, and a lot of intimidating, older customers. The place was sterile though, and that was reassuring. I got to choose from about a dozen circular barbells, and chose a green one without any clue as to why. My favorite color then was blue, but they didn't have it. Nor did they have purple, so I guess green was the next best in my eyes. The piercist walked me back, after signing the consent with my father, and showing the appropriate ID, to a booth where I'd soon be "stabbed," as my friends these days refer to it. I was alone, which was okay, I told my father that I'd be fine, so he simply took a look around the booth to make sure everything was copasetic. I can't remember my piercist's name, being that this was six years ago, so I'll just call him Dave. He had me sit on the end of his reclining chair while he explained the process of retrieving the tools, which were all individually packaged and autoclaved. Once finding all the necessary tools, he put a pair of sterile gloves on, and had me lay back to mark out the placement on my navel. He then changed gloves as he moved on to the clamps, of course reiterating the process as he went. I'm not sure what I expected, as I've always had an abnormally high pain tolerance, but I never felt a thing. I didn't watch, although I could have, he said that since it was my first time I might be better off distracting myself. It all went so fast, and effortlessly that when I asked if he had finished, he said he'd been done for about a minute. I took a look down, no blood, no discomfort, nothing. I was thrilled! I had the hugest Cheshire grin on my face, and he offered his hand to help me sit up. In all of my excitement I gave him a hug while I thanked him, which he found amusing. Upon leaving I had the entire parlor grinning from my bubbly reaction. It was really very memorable.
I never had any problems during the healing process, I've never had any irritation or discomfort. It healed rather quickly, much sooner than I'd been told that it would. I used an ear care solution, for lobe and/or cartilage piercings, that had been recommended to me. At the time, I had read up on plenty of horror stories (as well as success stories), and half expected that with my luck the piercing would migrate or reject, but nothing of the sort ever came about.
Since that birthday, I've had something done seemingly each year either on my birthday, or around it. But, those are all their own stories to be told. Guess you could say, it's somewhat of a birthday tradition in my life. I've even got a few ideas for this year's upcoming birthday, can't break tradition now can I? Hehe.
To those interested in piercings or tattoos, just be sure to find a reputable establishment, don't settle for anything. If you're under age, and you just can't live without that piercing or tattoo, have a mature conversation with your guardians about consideration. If they refuse to consent, going behind their back to have something done will only break any trust they have in you, and could lead to potentially lethal complications. That being said, if you do have something done underage, without consent, at least look out for yourself. Find a place that's sterile, and an experienced artist. Don't go to that guy down the street, or in the next town, that'll do it for cheap and doesn't check for ID. More likely than not you'll be full of regret. Don't take my word, take the words of those who've experienced it for themselves, and those who know better. We're only trying to help you avoid potential problems. Life is more important than a body mod, you might be pissed about being unable to get what you want, but later down the road you'll be thankful. Be safe.