I've been interested in body modification since I started high school. My parents are strict Catholics who don't really approve of any kind of alternative piercing (everything other than ears is frowned upon). I'd had my ears pierced in middle school for about a year when I had to take them out for x-rays, and the holes closed back up. So I went back to the mall to get them re-pierced with a gun (I didn't know any better) my sophomore year. I had problems with them that time, removed the hoops, let them heal, and then went to have them professionally pierced last summer at Evolution. My mom went with me and met the piercers there (she was a bit intimidated at first, but once she started to talk with the Evolution Staff she changed her opinion on modified people, I think). I had my ears pierced and left wanting something more. I asked my mom if I could get my bellybutton pierced and she was horrified I'd even asked. ;)
At A Glance Author goforthbyday Contact goforthbyday@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Noah Babcock Studio Evolution Piercing Location Albuquerque, New Mexico Since then I've had a few problems with my ears, but only because they have so much scar tissue from being pierced before (and with a GUN, ugh) and my laziness with aftercare (definately learned my lesson there, oi)...I've dealt with infections by using sea salt soaks, anti-microbial soap, and Listerine. My ears still have their bad spells off and on.
I stumbled across BME one day and started to look through all the different piercing categories. I wanting to have something else pierced so badly, and I knew I could easilly find some hole-in-the-wall piercing parlor that would take a fake ID, but I trust Evolution's staff the most because they're -by far- the most professional piercing parlor in Albuquerque. I also wanted to go somewhere where I wouldn't feel embarassed or uncomfortable, and Evolution's the only place where I feel most at ease. So I waited. And waited. And watched my friends get pierced as they turned 18. I finally decided at the beginning of this year that I wanted to have my nipples pierced. I'd been there when both of my best friends had theirs done around that time, and I figured it would be one of the piercings that's easier to hide from my parents (they'd definately flip if they found out anything was pierced besides my ears). Over the last few months I frequented Evolution to ask questions, look at the different jewelry, familiarize myself with aftercare, and ask about the piercers' experiences. I researched the risks and experiences here on BME and made my final decision. Soooo, three days ago, August 5th, I turned 18. That night I headed to Evolution to get my nipples pierced. I was their last customer for the day.
My choice of jewelry was two 12g barbells. Noah marked my nipples, told me to lie back, breathe, and it was over in a matter of a few minutes. I was a little nervous, but other than that I felt fine. Noah asked if there was anything he could do to help the nervousness, but there wasn't. :) I'm a big wuss when it comes to pain (at least I think so). The piercings themselves hurt about as much as I was expecting, but it wasn't unbearable. I didn't flinch or twitch or cry, I just hissed a little on the second one because it seemed to take him longer to push the needle through. Another thing about Noah's work: he does many (most?) piercings freehand. I didn't even realize that this wasn't the norm until I read an article about him in Extreme Body Modification magazine. He did my ears freehand and my nipples freehand. So I have no idea what a clamp feels like. :P I'm definately not complaining, though! Anyway, there was a little bit of soreness immediately afterwards, but since t hen I've had no problems. the pain doesn't even compare with the intense glee I felt afterwords. :) Right now it's more comfortable to either wear a sportsbra with a looser shirt or a padded bra with a tighter shirt. I've stocked up on sea salt and Satin anti-microbial soap to take care of my girls. I'm very, very, VERY happy with these piercings. :D If you're thinking of getting your nipples pierced, do it! It's a fantastic piercing, either way you have it done (one of my best friends has hers pierced vertically, the other has hers pierced diagonally, and mine are standard horizontal).
Next up on the list for me is a vertical industrial bellybutton (hopefully!) I'll either get it done at Evolution this winter or try Halo, a place in Phoenix AZ. It was recommended to me by the Evolution staff.
If you're in the Albuquerque area and looking to get any kind of piercing done, then -definately- visit Evolution. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the atmosphere, the people, and the gorgeous selections of jewelry. My friends and I wouldn't go anywhere else. :) You can check Evolution out at http://www.evolutionpiercing.com/