Since I was ten years old I always though that navel rings were cute and I loved the jewelry because they are all so unique. I begged my mom since I was ten years old to get it pierced and the answer was always no, until my sixteenth birthday.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist not to sure on the name Studio 1st: Spellbound 2: Soul Survivor Location Canada, MB The first time I got my navel done was five months ago for my sweet sixteen. I was so shocked when my mom said that was one of my presents because I didn't expect it at all, I thought I was going to have to wait till I was eighteen. I live in a smaller town so she gave me the option of doing it in town right away or waiting a bit to get it done in the city. I had talked to a lot of friends about their experiences they had at the studio in town. I heard mostly good things about the place so I decided I would get it done as soon as possible. Of course ignoring the not so good stuff because I was so exited to get it done there was no way I was waiting any longer.
My mom made the appointment for Friday after school. I was so exited I couldn't concentrate all day. After school my best friend and I walked over to the studio. I brought her along for a hand to squeeze cause I didn't believe that it wasn't going to hurt. When we arrived we sat down in the waiting area because we were meeting my mom there. It was a very clean place with all the tattoo books and piercing rings displayed nicely. I was so anxious I must have called my mom eight times to ask how much longer she was going to be.
Finally she showed up. We filled out a few forms then the artist marked me, put the clamp on then got me to lie down. I was freaking out but I didn't want to show it so I just lied there and smiled. He talked me through what was happening, showed me how everything was sterilized. It was very comforting to see everything come out of the package because my biggest concern was that the tools or jewelry wasn't going to be clean. Everything was very quick and very painless. Many people had told me the most painful part was the clamp. They were right but it wasn't really a pain, more a pressure. I got up and looked in the mirror. It was crooked. The artist asked if I liked and because I am a very polite person I lied and said yes I love it.
When my mom, best friend and I got into the truck I almost burst into tears. I had waited so long to have my belly button pierced then it ended up looking like a blind guy had done it. My mom called during the weekend and told him I wasn't happy with it so he told her to come back and he would re-do it for free Monday after school. I cleaned it regularly just like you would any other piercing.
When I went to school Monday everyone wanted to see it. The first thing they said was that it was crooked. One of my friends then told me the artist was legally blind. I was so surprised and didn't know what to do.
I went back anyway with just my mom. He took out the belly button ring and then re-did it. I stood up and it was crooked again. So he told me to lie back down and he took out the ring, put the needle back it, it felt as if wiggled the needle in there then pierced it on a weird angle. I stood up again and looked at. Once again it was crooked. He refunded us our money and told me my belly button could not be done. I actually cried this time. But just a bit. I ended up taking it out. I went all summer without having my navel pierced.
September came and I figured I would go into the city and get it done cause I wasn't taking no for an answer. I made an appointment. My mom and me went into the studio and this was the neatest little place I have ever seen. It had an African theme and everything was authentic. I explained the history of my navel piercing to the artist and he said he would take a look and tell me if it could be done. I was terrified he was going to say it couldn't be pierced straight. He told me my belly button was very symmetrical and would be very easy. Finally some good news! The same process as last time, a lot less pain and one straight belly button ring.
I have had my navel pierced for three weeks now. I clean it with antibacterial soap and do sea salt soaks every day, twice a day. That was working until the one day I forgot to clean it in the morning because I was in a rush and woke up late then touched it that day without washing my hands. So now it is infected but I am taking very good care of it and doing everything I can to make sure it doesn't get any worse and hoping it clears up.
I was very impressed with Soul Survivor. The artist was very nice, everything was clean, they had separate rooms instead of cubicles like the first place I went to, and a plus was all the authentic stuff that had been shipped from Africa had stories behind it that the artist knew. I would recommend this studio to anyone.
2 things I think are very important:
1) Wash your hands before touching it! Can't stress that enough.
2) No matter if you are going to be late, miss out on doing your hair in morning, etc. Clean your piercing. You would rather have one bad hair day then an infected piercing.