I remember getting my hands on a copy of "RE/Search: Modern Primitives" when I was ten years old. I spent hours poring over every page in that book, staring in awe at some of the most amazing things I'd ever seen.
At A Glance Author AB Contact AB@bme.anon When A month ago Studio Living Art Location Gresham, OR There was one thing in particular beyond all the incredible pictures in that book that stuck in my young and impressionable mind:
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One black and white photo of a beautiful cunt, covered in piercings that accentuated every bit of flesh down there. I didn't quite understand why I was so infatuated at the time, but I knew I needed to have jewelry in my crotch someday.
Fast forward ten years- I'd obtained various tattoos, a few piercings, and a healthy love and respect for the needle. I'd had my hood pierced, which is another story entirely, and I suddenly remembered one day how I'd coveted labia piercings when I was a young girl.
Now, nobody knows this, but being as poor as I am, I couldn't just take money out of a paycheck and go get pierced on a whim. I thought about labia piercings non-stop for weeks, and I decided to forgo more than a week's worth of groceries to go and get at least one side of my outer labia done.
So, with money clutched safely in my sweaty little hand, I headed down to Living Art, a studio here in Gresham, where I'd recently had my right nipple pierced by a very nice man.
It's ridiculous how embarrassed I got, plunking down my cash and having to state what I wanted in a studio that was filled, for the most part, by men. But I managed. I filled out my info sheet, handed over my ID, and was ushered into the tiny piercing room once the piercer had prepared his tools, as well as the 5/8" CBR that was going to be used.
Endorphins were already rushing their way through my system when I dropped my pants, and I was shaking horribly. I wasn't necessarily scared of the pain, but more of my reaction. And not to share too much information, but I'm sure I'm not alone: I was worrying about becoming ridiculously wet when being pierced in an area where it would be obvious. God forbid any family members of mine ever come across this story- I'll never live that last sentence down.
Regardless of my reservations, I hopped up on the table, and discussed placement with my piercer. He marked the spots and I took a look- it was perfect. I placed my feet on his knees and prepared myself for the clamps, but that bit of preparation wasn't needed, it turns out. I barely felt the clamps, and I was surprised, wondering how the piercing itself would feel. I was told to breathe in and out twice, and on the second exhale I was pierced.
Here's the anti-climactic part:
It barely hurt at all. After reading through tons of experiences here on BME, I was expecting searing pain. It barely registered in my brain that I had been poked at all. It was almost disappointing, considering how worked up I'd gotten over thoughts of horrific pain and founts of blood. I gave a bit of a gasp, then the jewelry was swiftly threaded through and closed.
I tipped my piercer, walked awkwardly out to the waiting room, and did a little victory dance that I don't think anyone saw.
Aftercare sheet in my pocket, I drove home, only to find that my underpants had been soaked through by an annoying amount of blood.
I had been warned about the possibility of blood, but figured I wouldn't need anything because "I'm not much of a bleeder anyway".
Well, I had paper towels in my pants for the next few days, along with the huge, stupid grin on my face that came from getting something I had wanted for a decade.
It's been a little over two weeks since that piercing. I do salt soaks twice a day, and soap up in the shower twice a day. It seems to be doing well, though it exudes white stuff a bit. Nothing that a q-tip and some salt water won't get rid of.
I went back a week ago and got the matching pierce on the other side, thanks to a bit of money I was unexpectedly given. Though sitting down is a bit of a pain in the ass when the rings don't fold together correctly, they're both doing quite well.
To those who have visions of labia rings dancing in their heads, but are scared by the expected amount of pain: don't be. It doesn't have to hurt. You could be like me and hardly feel it at all. Besides, even if the pain does end up making you shriek like a banshee, it's worth anything if you want the end result badly enough.
I know there's a ridiculous amount of experiences written by people who're freshly pierced, but this is something I want to share. I'll be sure to update when they've been fully healed for a long time, in the hopes that that information will interest people as well.
-A