It was definitely strange walking into Planet Ink with my books and school bag, feeling like I should be hitting up the library instead of putting metal through my body, but there I was, ready to be born again. I couldn't have been more prepared.
At A Glance Author switchbladechocolate Contact switchbladechocolate@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Matt Cottrell Studio Planet Ink Location Ottawa
A triangle piercing is not what someone gets on a whim. I knew I wanted to have something exciting like a genital piercing, but I didn't want just anything, nor did I want something useless. Really, I did not see the point of putting a ring through a flap of skin that no one was going to see anyway. For me, it had to have purpose, it had to be beautiful, and I wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect.
I did some research to see what kind of female genital piercings exist, and secretly hoped they were more than just aesthetic. That is when I found the triangle, right here on the BME website! It was perfect. It had beauty, it was placed in an area that would provide a new type of stimulation, and it was hardcore. I knew it was meant for me, now the problem was finding someone who was experienced enough to give it to me!
I decided to start with wandering Ottawa. I asked all the places I thought might do it, and they pointed me towards Planet Ink. There, I met Matt Cottrell and we talked about his experience, about the studio (reputation, cleanliness, equipment, procedure and so on) and I looked through his portfolio. I decided not to jump on the first train and wait things out, just to make sure I was certain this is what I wanted to do. In that period I explored studios in Toronto and Montreal, asking lots of questions and reassuring my decision. Again, I browsed through stories on BME, searching for a direction, but since the triangle is somewhat rare (due to few piercers with enough experience and women with the anatomy to hold it) there were little results. My decisions lied in all the research I compiled and most of all, my gut feelings. I picked up the phone and called Matt to let him know I was coming by, and biked over to Planet Ink.
I have had my body pierced before. Three ear piercings and both my nipples are pierced. I had a general idea what I was in for, and I was ready. When a friend of mine asked me why I wanted to do this, the answer was sure and simple; I wanted to reclaim myself again. I know it sounds cheesy, but after a rough ending to a long-term relationship, I felt it necessary to purge myself of frustration and regret by celebrating 'me' with a very special gift: the triangle. This new adornment would make me born again by providing that special change that was very intimate and private. This was that secret only I knew about, and was hidden from the world until I found someone I could trust again. Also, I had read that I would have to relearn how to achieve sexual gratification with this new addition therefore I would be a virgin once again. This, to me, was starting anew.
When I got to Planet Ink, I patiently waited for Matt while ignoring my nervousness. After only a few minutes, it was time.
We went to his studio and talked about everything I already knew, thought I knew, and didn't know. The first thing I noticed was how immaculately clean and organized his studio was. My nervousness disappeared as we chatted. Matt was very calm and professional, and he answered all of my questions, with ease which reassured me I had made the right choice. Looking back, I was really interrogating him with every question I could think of, but he was very nice, polite, and told me the truth.
I was then prepared to have him check to make sure I had the anatomy to support this piercing. I watched him put on new gloves before he looked for nerves and blood vessels, a very qualified procedure. I had been curious as to how he would find the right place to pierce, and he explained it in a very technical way. Again, I was assured of his skill, which seemed more like that of a doctor than someone who performs body mods. Matt told me I could have it done and with that, I made it back out to the front, filled out the necessary form, paid, and found my way back to Matt. He showed me all of the equipment, sterile and still in their package (I was already shown the autoclave), put on another pair of new gloves and I got on the table and started to get nervous again. Matt talked me through each step so there were no surprises and kept reminding me to take deep, steady breaths. I was cleaned, clamped, and then pierced. I tried as hard as I could to concentrate on my breathing, thanks to Matt's reminders, and as he put the needle through I inhaled deeply (insert pain here) exhaled, thought to myself "that can't be all" inhaled deeply again as I felt a little more pain, exhaled, and it was done. He told me I took it very well and talked me through my intense adrenaline rush which made me really giddy. I couldn't believe it was that easy! I didn't jump or flinch; I only took some deep breaths. The pain was just a split second and then I felt almost normal again. He inserted the jewellery, a 14 gauge CBR, and I was good to go! I was laughing after that, I simply couldn't believe how smooth it went. Matt told me I took the pain better than any other triangle he did, and I was ecstatic with the results. He handed me a mirror and I had a look, it was perfect! I couldn't have been happier! He went over the aftercare, reminding me to come back in 2 weeks for a check up to make sure everything was going well and allowed me all the time I needed to collect myself before I left.
I am very thankful for the fantastic job Matt did, and extremely satisfied with the results. There was barely any bleeding, no swelling (or at least no noticeable swelling) and practically no pain. After thanking Matt again for the incredibly positive experience, I left Planet Ink with a huge smile on my face and biked away. That's right; I was perfectly capable of biking right after. I couldn't believe it.
Now I know piercings don't "fix" things like relationships gone bad, or bruises to one's confidence. To those reading this, my triangle is not an attempt to repair anything and I think no piercing should be. It is instead a present to myself to remind me that it's takes a little pain to have some pleasure. The moral of this story is to use you as your motive for anything, and to trust your gut feelings. Thanks Matt and Planet Ink for an awesome experience!