First, let me tell you about the end of my first Madison. It actually happened in the bath. In fact, I made it happen. The piercing was so very nearly gone and I made a decision. One more hot bath and that will be it. And so, I took the bath, and when I stood up, the piercing just dropped out and I heard it hit the bath tub. And that was it. The end of my beloved piercing. It was actually quite spiritual to have made the decision to do it that way. It was like a cleansing. And I was ready to say goodbye in a way I hadn't been when the signs of migration first appeared in Edinburgh. So, goodbye Madison #1.
At A Glance Author Molo Contact molo620418@aol.com Artist Dave Studio Metal Morphosis Location Soho, London I was left with a nice scar. It was never very fierce - at first it was a raised line, and quite red, but over the course of time, it really flattened out and settled down until it was just a silvery line. It drew quite alot of comments but I was actually quite proud of it and I never minded. It was very symmetrical and not an unpleasant colour - just a bit red, and so I never minded having it. It was as much a part of me as the piercing had been, and in a way, more so as it was my body's own very permanant mark.
Ok. Flash forward a year. Two weeks ago I decided to get the Madison repierced as I decided the scar had settled down enough. This time, I was alot less nervous about the whole experience, as this time I knew what to expect. :)
Of course, I went back to Metal Morphosis to get it done; I wouldn't get pierced anywhere else - they're brilliant. I feel terror when I see those horrible high street shops where girls get their ears pierced with the dreaded gun in the very shop window! And do you remember my friend with her nipple piercings? I think I might have been influenced to go get this thing done again by the fact that she went and got herself tattooed...(I think I might be next for that too! *^^*)
This time though, my jewellery was different. Last time, I had a plastic bar, which was very flexible (I still have it!, but this time, Dave - my piercer - advised me to go for shaped metal. He explained that they'd been experimenting with using shaped metal bars in surface piercings and that they been getting some very good results and that they seemed to be lasting longer and settling more quickly. So again I took his advise, and decided to go for it. He also asked me and the piercing to stay in touch so he could see how it was doing. I told him my first try had lasted a full three months - he said that was excellent. I am so far very very glad I took the advise about the jewellery. The piercing is really happy and settled.
This time, maybe as the jewellery was more rigidly shaped, the actual piercing took longer. It didn't hurt, I must stress. It was uncomfortable, but that was OK as it felt like something was being achieved. That maybe sounds a little strange. It felt like a real enterprise - a little more of push, an effort to get the desired result, but I liked that.
I also liked the fact that the whole experience was scrupulously sterile (in terms of physical cleanliness, not emotion!) and Dave's bedside manner was as reassuring as his piercing was expert. I really wanted to mention him this time, as when I told my first experience, I didn't know his name, and I kicked myself for that, as I wanted to say then how excellent his work is.
I think the most uncomfortable thing about the whole experience was having to wear the sterile plaster for the first few hours! It was a ridiculously hot day, sweaty and horrible and the thing just wasn't comfortable. It started peeling off (as some 'kind' members of staff in the dance shoe shop were dear enough to point out - like I didn't know!) and it's size made my neck stiff! When I got the thing off back at the pierced and tattooed pal's house and got my first look, I was delighted by how well the Madison looked.
Ok! So, happy experience number two! So, you may ask, how's the aftercare coming along? Well, just fine, thank you! ^^ My piercing is happy. It's alot less red than last time at the holes, and the tunnel itself is a simple raised line; no swelling, no redness, no aches or pains. It's cleaner too, so far. Again, it bled the once, during the second night, but it was only a little bit and once I had cleaned the blood off (very gently) it hasn't bled again. And one day it complained a little when I got cold on a freak chilly day. It doesn't like cold - I remembered that from last time! :)
People have remarked that it looks better than the first one, and I think it does too...the metal bar seems very good. I was warned it would sort of lean to one side as it settled into me and it's done that! The bar sticks out more on the right side than the left.
Well, that's it then! Madison two is in! So, we'll see how this one goes! Three months to beat (I am optimistic about this!).