At A Glance Author Brian Contact Brian@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Cazzi Studio Cold Steel, Camden Location London, UK >From the title you've probably already guessed that this is an account of my 10 gauge apadravya piercing at Cold Steel in Camden.
Up until last week I didn't have any piercings at all not even ears so why an apadravya?
I found BME soon after I got access to the internet and little did I know it at the time but while looking through the site the seeds were sown for this little job!
Still doesn't explain why I went for the apadravya though why not a PA. Well judging by the number of accounts on BME over 2000 people have had one, have access to the internet and want to tell everybody, what about something a little more unusual. I considered the ampallang but preferred the aesthetics of the apadravya.
Decision made (2 words to cover over 12 months!!!) so who and when to do the deed?
For the who it was back to BME. Most accounts of this piercing seem to originate in the States or Canada seems like along way to go surely there is somewhere closer?
The name of Cold Steel came up while searching through BME under "location" a Google search later revealed their website which to my mind tended to suggest that they are a wholesale jewellery dealer after a little perseverance I found the link to piercings at the top of the web page, clicking on the UK link revealed a Picture of the counter at Cold Steel the opening hours (7 days a week slightly longer at the weekends) the address phone number and what caught my eye in the bottom corner a banner which bore the legend "APP member." I wouldn't want a cowboy with a needle poking about down there, would you? The APP is the Association of
Professional Piercers. Enough said.
So Cold Steel it was now to make an appointment. Or first of all to find the time to go. When a week off presented itself from Jan 28 to Feb 1, I didn't need asking twice.
I called on the Monday and explained I wanted a genital piercing
"OK" came the reassuring voice
"it's the one I can't pronounce..." I said "...not the ampallang the other one."
"the appy-draar-vier..."
"...that's the one." I said
"...for this piercing you need a good nights sleep something to eat and no drugs or alcohol for 24 hours before...now today's out, what about tomorrow or better still Wednesday..."
"fine.."
"We'll need you in an hour before the piercing to leave a deposit." Cold Steel open at 11am so the piercing was set for 12 O'clock.
Now I travelled to Camden on the train and somehow arrived an hour early!!!!
After killing the hour wandering around Camden I climbed the stairs to the counter (they're located above one of the shops on Camden High Street) and announced I'd come to leave my deposit for my apadravya.
Cazzi my piercer enthusiastically asked "do you want to do it now?"
This threw me a bit I was only leaving the deposit but having already wandered around Camden for an hour I found myself saying "yeah why not"
After signing the all important paperwork and handing over the money, a very reasonable £30 there was a brief wait for the studio to be cleaned and Cazzi said "follow me". So I followed her up another flight of stairs into a spotless studio.
Cazzi was still setting up as I took off my jacket and I took the opportunity to ask what gauge she pierces at "2.4" she said "ah 10 gauge"
10 gauge (2.4mm) seems to be the concensus judging by the other accounts on BME.
Now to drop trousers and Ups to half mast and hop up on the "table" I put table in inverted commas because at this point part of it was hinged up to form a sort of chair. This is where I should have been nervous, but no I was fine. Cazzi explained that she was a perfectionist as she grabbed a marker and started to mark my glans this marker would mark everything except me, a second attempt and success. Cazzi asked if it looked central, we both agreed perhaps a little to my left, her right a minor adjustment and spot on. At this point Cazzi let the backrest down so her table became a table again. Next the clamps, there's two schools of thought here 1.Agony, or 2.No problem, I was in the latter hardly noticed them at all.
If you've read this far and are still awake the question you're asking is does it hurt?
Cazzi said "you will feel a little pinch"
I wouldn't describe it as a little pinch more a burning sensation as I felt the needle tear through every layer of flesh. But Cazzi said I didn't flinch not even a leg kick or scream. She said "I'll just put the top ball on" and we were done. The burning sensation quickly subsided to be replaced by a dull ache, Cazzi said this will go to. While I was still lying down she explained the aftercare to me and how to keep it clean then wrapped me up with a surgical glove and elastic band. I asked about the first pee and the pissing razor blades syndrome, some of the accounts on BME mention a cup of warm water and sea salt, pee into the cup then direct the stream down the loo worked a treat for me.
So far I have had this piercing for five days and my experience is at odds with most other genital piercing accounts. The pain perhaps having read all the accounts I had psyched myself up for something far worse, don't get me wrong I won't be forgetting it in a hurry just wasn't as bad as I had expected. Bleeding I didn't mention it earlier but I hardly bled at all during the initial piercing and have only had minimal bleeding so far perhaps worse is to come. There is very little discomfort only a constant tugging sensation and the affore mentioned dull ache as a reminder of its presence.
Here's hoping I haven't bored you to death
Thanks Cazzi
Happy piercings
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