Years ago I had my ear pierced, in the cartilage, which caused problems so I removed it after about 6 months and thought no more of piercing until about a year ago, when on researching piercing on the web I discovered BME. I spent a long time looking at pictures and reading a lot of experiences, and came to the decision that a frenum would be the best choice – a good starter genital piercing, not too painful and reasonably quick and easy to heal. However, I didn't have the guts to mention it to my wife for about six months! At that time I changed jobs from an extremely conservative software company to working at the local art college, where the odd people are those without mods! I decided to go and get my ears pierced (3 in one lobe). In the days before going in to the piercing shop I discussed the frenum with with my wife, who was ok with the idea after the initial shock.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Mia Studio Blue Banana Location Plymouth, UK On arrival at the piercing shop, I paid for the lobe piercings, and then I asked for a frenum at the same time. The piercer came back and said that she could not do it for a few days as they were out of the correct jewellery – they only use 1.6mm curved barbells (I think) for frenums. I left with a newly pierced ear, but a little disappointed. I couldn't build up the courage to return a few days later...
Six months later we were in Plymouth shopping, and I was at the piercing shop looking at clothes and other things, and was thinking about getting my other ear lobe pierced ready to stretch. I chose the jewellery and signed the forms, and then thought – "frenum! Now or never". I called the assistant back, who went to check with the piercer – the jewellery was there – it'd be about 15 minutes for sterilising of equipment and jewellery. I started to get nervous then – what had I just paid for? I walked in a daze down to the market to use the bathroom and clean up a little. Shocked again, my wife kept asking if I was sure, to which I replied yes, and that I'd already paid.
Back in the shop, I went and sat to wait in the studio. Another 15 minutes took ages to pass as she pierced 2 or three other people. I got more and more nervous, on edge with all the adrenaline, so much so I jumped a mile when the piercer called my name. She got me in and sat me down on the couch, and explained she was going to do the lobes first. She stretched an existing lobe piercing up to a 2.4mm ring for me, and did the new lobe at the same size – this hurt a bit, but I was too worried about the next piercing to notice much. She then handed me some wipes, and told me to clean up a bit and then hop on the couch with my lower things down, and then left the room. I cleaned up and then lay on the couch with my boxers down by my knees until she called 'ok?'.
On re-entering she then called my wife in (they have an opposite sex chaperone policy) who watched from the door. The piercer then set about preparing her instruments and working surfaces. She then came over and asked me to retract my foreskin and hold my base. She then cleaned the area with a sterile wipe and marked where the piercing would go. I thought it was a little to close to the head, so she moved it down a little. I had been extremely worried in the lead up that, perhaps due to having a female piercer manipulating my little chap, that he may rise to the occasion and embarrass us all. However, in the situation, with her gloved up and holding a very sharp needle, he only grew a little – no full size stonker I had been afraid of! After I ok'd the placement, she applied the tongs (or whatever they're called), which was not comfortable... and then I looked away – I couldn't watch... then she pushed the needle through. No deep breaths to prepare me, just searing pain which to ok by breath away. However in 3 seconds it was all gone, then a little more pain when she fixed the jewellery in place. She went over the aftercare, and then left me the get dressed.
For the rest of the day my ear hurt a little, but no pain and only a few spots of blood below, however it was a little uncomfortable driving, probably due to skin pulling in different directions when sitting. It's now 3 days in, I'm doing salt water soaks and using diluted tea tree oil as instructed, and have had no problems or pain, and only a few spots of blood the second day. I love my new mod – should have had it done ages ago! If you're thinking of getting one, I say go do it – a fantastic experience.