Has it only been a few months?

At A Glance Author Fox Contact Fox@bme.anon Artist Sandra Studio Absolution Location Christchurch, New Zealand

Six months ago I was relatively unadorned in terms of piercings. Sure, I had three lobe holes in each ear but otherwise I was untouched. Since then I now have a bit more than just my ears pierced. As well as the lobes, I've added a rook, conch, tragus, septum, two labia, a triangle and vertical and horizontal hood piercings.

The genital piercings have taken a bit of getting used to, that's for sure. The first thing I wanted to get pierced was my labia but I decided to start with something a bit less intimidating to get me into the swing of things. So that was the septum and tragus. A couple of weeks after that, with everything healing nicely, I rounded up a friend (my boy decided that he didn't like the idea of watching me get hurt/pierced) and we headed into town. I'd booked in three at once, two inner labia and a horizontal hood. To minimise (and as it turned out, eliminate) the pain I expected to feel, I'd bought some Emla cream and liberally coated the relevant areas in it. So it was into the shop and up to the counter. Well that was the idea. Unfortunately, even though I'd booked the shop was full of people, all seemingly getting their tongues pierced, and the shop was behind time. I spotted my piercer through the melee and wandered over to chat to her (she was only in to pierce me that day, since all she does is female piercings). We chatted for a while and then magically the room cleared and it was show time for me. g

David, the owner, cleared up his area and then Sandra, my friend, Caitlin and I all shuffled into the piercing area. The shop had closed for the day by then so it was nice and private. The hardest part was the dropping the pants part as I'd never done that for anyone other than someone I was seeing, but it was really easy since it was just 'us girls'. I hopped up onto the table and tried to get used to my genitals being the centre of attention (very odd, that). After my septum and tragus, which were done 'au naturel,' I was very glad that I'd opted for anaesthetic for these three, or else I don't know if I'd have been able to get them done.

As it was I was primed and ready, holding Caitlin's hand and taking a deep breath in, ready to release it when Sandra asked me if I was ready. "Yes," I replied and got ready to exhale. After a minute or so I asked if she was going to do it. An incredulous look told me that it was already done and I hadn't felt a thing. The next two were equally painless, although feeling was beginning to return by the start of the hood, which was still entirely bearable. A quick mop-up of the tiny bit of blood and we were done. I admired my new shiny rings and the other two had a peer at them. By now I had no inhibitions about sitting open-legged having a comparative stranger and a good friend examine me.

The healing was incredibly easy, although with three at once it took a week for there to be no discomfort. I followed the instructions I was given which revolved around salt water soaks and not fiddling with them :). The labia healed faster than the hood but only by a day or so. When I stretched the labia (doubled in size from the 1.6 they were pierced with to 3.2mm) the healing time was about 3 days and now about 3 weeks later they're loose and could probably fit even larger rings in there :)

My lad thought they were beautiful, although the fact that they couldn't be played with immediately did hamper his enjoyment somewhat. :)

Since that point I've added the vertical, tucked in behind the horizontal and a triangle (done without Emla and one of the most visceral pains I've yet to feel). I've also gained a whole new sympathy for guys who need to adjust themselves even if it's a public place, as there are often times when I find that my rings will shift around by themselves, reminding me of my hidden toys.(now stretched up to 3.2mm and much more noticeable).

Just a quick comment about Absolution for anyone who lives in Chch and is thinking about getting pierced, David and Sandra both do a great job. They're clean and efficient and really know what they're doing. They go through gloves like they grow on trees and the piercing area is immaculate and private. Sandra only pierces women and she is very, very good at making you feel relaxed and ready for the piercing. David, well he's a hard case, but he's a very good piercer and has a great eye for placement. The shop also sells awesome clothing at a really good price (and they do custom fitting too).

I'm really happy with the piercings I have, they remind me that there is always more to a person than meets the eye.