Piercings - they're addictive! I'd been thinking of getting a hood piercing for a little while. I got my navel done, and thought I'd do my hood, or at least something genital, next. I did my nips instead. So, this time I was going to do my hood. I looked around BME and decided I liked the look of the vertical best. I read experience after experience just to realize that I had no idea what it was going to feel like to get it done – it's different for everyone.
At A Glance Author Amethyst Contact Amethyst@bme.anon IAM Amethyst When A month ago Artist John Reynolds Studio Forbidden Fruit Location Austin, Texas I had three piercings I'd gotten within the last month so I decided I'd wait for them to heal before getting my next. It didn't quite happen that way though... After reading the stories and looking at the pictures I decided I really wanted it. I went in to talk to my piercer, I actually made him blush! I guess I look like a good little girl – who knew!? I knew I wanted a barbell 'cause it seemed like a ring could get caught on clothing and stuff easier. It was only going to be $65, so I decided I'd wait a week and get it.
I wasn't sure if it'd be more polite for me to shave or if just being semi-shaved and well trimmed was good enough. I almost asked, but just couldn't think of the right phrasing. I decided I'd be more comfortable not being completely bald, so I just trimmed it down and made sure I was nice and clean. In hindsight I'd say if you're comfortable with it, shave - less for the piercer to worry about when screwing on the end of the barbell.
I e-mailed John to see when he was working that weekend. I knew I wanted him to do it - I was comfortable with him and confident with his skills. He told me not only his weekend, but weekday schedule as well. That was it, I couldn't wait, I was going to go Thursday. I had to work and was jittery the entire time from the excitement. As soon as I got off I practically ran home to change into something besides jeans 'cause I knew I wouldn't want to be walking in them afterwards. Once more I pulled my roommate out with me, and down to Forbidden Fruit we went.
I filled out the paperwork, gave Erica (the counter girl) my ID, paid, and had more adrenaline pumping through my system. When we headed to the back I was starting to calm myself down a bit. I wanted to be prepared for the worst imaginable pain because then I could only be pleasantly surprised. Elisabeth came back with me, of course, and the three of us talked while John got scrubbed up and prepared the tray. He told me he'd turn around to finish the preparation while I removed everything below the waist and got up on the table.
He went over what he'd do very carefully with me. Lay with my heels up on the corners of the table, he'd clean and mark me then let me sit up if I wanted while he changed gloves etc. Then I'd lie back down, he'd clamp me instead of using a receiving tube (he said he found receiving tubes were more uncomfortable for the piercee and was more comfortable with clamps himself – sounded good to me!), and the needle would go bottom to top. He was extremely careful about warning me whenever he was going to touch me and he told me what he was doing the entire time. I was shocked at how relaxed I was sitting there with my legs spread for a man with a needle.
When the clamps were on he positioned the needle and asked if I was ready. Don't let your legs slam shut on his head was the biggest thought running through my mind. He said not to worry about anything that might happen he's had to clean up after people before and has been kicked and all sorts of things, but I still didn't want to be one of those stories. I said I was ready, took a deep breath, started letting it out, and DAMN! Sharp is the best way I could describe the pain. I didn't last long, but it was very to the point. My entire body tensed up, and John reminded me to keep breathing. I did and congratulated myself for keeping my feet and legs in place. I took a couple deep breaths to get over the shock and he slipped the barbell in. It pinched a bit, and made me grit my teeth, but it really wasn't so bad.
He screwed the top ball on and handed me a mirror. OOO I liked it! I don't think that smile left my face for the rest of the night. We went over cleaning procedures and the infamous "after four or five days take some time to yourself and get to know the feel of it" phrase. I got dressed and sat down, immediately crossing my legs, when I realized I'd done it and it didn't hurt at all I was quite pleased.
Walking up the stairs the next morning proved to be a new experience for sure. It was like something was saying to me, "Hey, there's something in your pants!" I wore jeans the day after getting it and had no problems whatsoever. I did have to be careful with how I sat down, but that was just for a few days. I still haven't had any problems with it, I always move it around and clean it in the shower, and after a month I switched the 14g barbell for a 12g. The biggest change is that things that used to make me go "eh" now make me go "ooo", definitely a plus!