Where to start?.. Well I've wanted my belly button pierced for a couple of years now and have always loved the look of it! I asked my mum and dad about a year ago if I could have it done but the answer was no without even having to think twice. This was probably for a number of reasons. I then asked again a few months ago, but still no luck. After speaking to my friends about it they loved the idea and decided to go ahead with it. This made me even more determined to get mine done!
At A Glance Author anonymous When A week ago Artist Darryl Studio Retro Rebels Location Aberdeen, UK I started looking up information about it on the internet; you'd be amazed at how much you can learn! So I pretty much knew everything there was to know. I had been nagging my mum quite alot about it and I could tell she was getting sick of it but at the same time she realised that I wasn't rushing into it and that I knew the Do's and Don'ts and exactly what was needed to keep it perfectly clean and clear of infection. She finally gave in!
I'd previously been to 'Richards' in Aberdeen with one of my friends so she could get her belly button pierced. This was also where the rest of my friends had gone but that's another story. The place was very sterile but they couldn't have been ruder. Her piercing was done well alough a little squint but not well enough to make me go back and my other friends had been very sore afterwards. I'd also heard that their tattoos weren't finished properly etc. so my mind was made up; I was going to retro rebels!
The day soon came round and I couldn't have been more excited! My mum came with me and we were introduced to Darryl who would be doing my piercing. He was very nice and put me at ease as nervousness crept in. He has had alot of body modification but don't let this scare you, he's great. He took us to a very clean and sterile room. He marked me up with pen and we all checked that it looked straight. I lay back down on the bed where I immediately closed my eyes, wanting to get this over with! He told me to take in a deep breath and before I knew it, it was done. I won't lie, it was painful. But for all of 2 seconds. I took a quick look before he put a plaster over it which I was to keep there for 2 hours. There was no blood like he said there would be if he had done it well! I loved it!! It was only a plain barbell (no gems) as I was told this was better for the initial healing time but to go back in 7 weeks to have it changed for something much nicer. He told me how to look after it and gave me a care sheet b efore we paid and left.
It's coming up for 2 weeks now and I've experienced no pain since. The only time when it's been a little sore is when I catch it on something or pull on it by accident. It's only starting to get a bit red now. It's also perfectly straight!
A word of advice: It is normal to have-
Bleeding, bruising discolouration and / or swelling. This is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications of any complication. Reduce your intake of aspirin, alcohol and caffeine. Some tenderness or discomfort is not unusual on or off for several days after the piercing either. There may be some itching too. Secretion of a fluid which is fairly liquid, whitish yellow in colour and forms a crust on the jewellery at the openings of the piercing indicates that it is healing. So if you experience this do not worry! Piercing also have a tendency to have a series of 'ups and downs' during healing by seeming healed and then digressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the initial healing time, even if the piercing seems to have healed sooner.
I am so glad I've had my belly button pierced and I couldn't be happier! I definitely think you should go for it if you're considering getting it done! As long as you clean it and care for it as instructed, you will have no problems. It also needs quite alot of care, so don't get it done if your not prepared to put in the effort! I would also recommend Retro Rebels to anyone. What's more is that my mum and dad say it looks great on my flat stomach!
So Happy Piercing! -x-