I now have 15 piercings, the newest being only about 24 hours old, and I couldn't be prouder.
At A Glance Author leigh Contact leigh@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Mike Studio Adrenaline Location Seaside, NJ
The first time I went to Adrenaline, it was just to kill some time (and to check out the cute boy who works there) but I ended up getting my tongue web pierced – which is a fun, painless piercing that I totally recommend. The piercer there, Mike, is a really nice guy who definitely knows what he's doing. After his great job on my web, I got the nerve, after months of delaying, and came back the next day and got both nipples done. Then I started making my ears a bit more flashy and I now have 4 going up each lobe, my right rook, my left conch and a perfectly fit daith on the left. So by now, I knew that Mike was really good and I trusted him... and last night I did it- My vertical hood.
I thought about it before but I had heard so many rumors about how they get infected, how easily you can lose sensation and how it can get really irritating. But for some crazy reason, I was still seriously considering it. I went out with my friends that night and when I mentioned that I might go to Adrenaline and do it after we were done partying, most of them encouraged me. "You only live once..."
So over to Seaside I went. Mike greeted me with a smile and asked what I wanted done. (cue in a few jokes about Mexico, South of the Boarder, Pedro & Lupe - Hahah) I told him about how worried I was about it and he told me that the chances of anything bad happening really just depends on how well it's pierced. I still was nervous but I knew that the only person I'd trust to do it would be Mikey. I finally decided that I was just going to get over it and do it so I asked how much it would be. Mikey hooked me up very nicely, as always, and after pinky-promising me everything would be ok, into the back room we went.
I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't awkward but I'm not really that self-conscious and Mike's already seen my nipples, and he's professional and all that. He kept me comfortable and we kept a conversation going the whole time he was getting ready. He moved the chair into the right position and told me to have a seat, scoot my butt to the end of the chair and put my feet up on the sides.
He showed me everything he was going to use – The needle that he was using to receive the actual piercing needle was really big and my heart skipped a beat or two when I saw it but then he explained what it was for. Then he asked if I was ready. Ready? Hell no! But this was as close to ready as I was going to be! "Tell me a joke Mike! That needle's huge – Distract me!" "Did you hear the one about the rabbi who walks into a bar with a leprechaun?..."
When he set the receiving tube, it was a little uncomfortable but not unbearable at all. Then those four magic words came "...Take a deep breath..." and Whoa! Intense. It was like a sharp pinch, it didn't last long but it was intense. Then came the curved barbell and the ball on the end got that tightened. I was done! But really, as for the pain factor, compared to other things I've had done, it really wasn't the worst at all. My nipples were worse and I think my rook was the most painful yet. "Not that bad right?" "Nah, Ill live." I admired it in the mirror for a moment – it really does look awesome – and hopped off the chair.
I got a bit light headed from the piercing so I bought a drink and walked on the boardwalk for a little while to sort of calm down. Walking was so much more fun than it had been ever before! Hahah It doesn't always rub but every so often it does – Definitely a perk. Its not sore at all and I was fine all day at work. I'm supposed to do a sea salt soak at least once a day for three minutes so caring for it isn't hard at all. Recovery time is usually about a week or two and Mikey says after a week of time out, it should be fine. Overall, its a great piercing that Id recommend; Its not something everyone can see, obviously, its like a little surprise you've got hidden - It looks so incredibly bad ass – The pain is so bearable – and come on, what's a better line than "I've got 15 piercings...How many can you count?" Hahah