I'd recently discovered the world of BME when I came across the Surface/Unusual piercing section. I was curious as hell, so I checked it out. And there was the nape piercing. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. How it was out of the way, and easily hidden, but so gorgeous with those two little balls just sitting on your neck.
At A Glance Author a_typical Contact a_typical@bme.anon IAM a_typical When Three months ago Artist Lynette Rose Studio The Piercing Shop - www.thepiercingshop.com.au Location Brisbane, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA Finding the picture started off the research phase. I was on the net for 6 hours, finding out everything I could about nape piercings. The next doctor's appointment I had I asked him if he thought it'd be an ok part to pierce. He told me that there was no way they could hit anything nasty, and to go for it if that's what I wanted.
So, I started emailing the really helpful staff at The Piercing Shop. I asked A LOT of questions, about Lynette's experience with the piercings, her preferred jewellery choice, cost, etc etc. I rang up about a fortnight after the first email and made my appointment for the next week.
And got very, very excited.
By the time I got to the shop I was hyped up. I couldn't wait to get in there. My hair (which at that stage was VERY long) was in pigtails, both for ease of piercing and so I could show it off for the rest of the day *grin*
I was called out the back, and the prep started. I was told what would happen, and was shown the sealed packages of piercing equipment (which even included a little metal ruler). I was given a relaxing lavender oil forehead massage, and stress balls to play with. Lynette came into the room, and explained to me what would be happening. She marked my neck, and with two mirrors I was asked to check out the placement. I ummed and ahhed for a bit, and we discussed how long I wanted it. She changed the markings, and I loved the second placement, so she started rubbing down the back of my neck with antiseptic. Then, came the clamps, which, I'd like to add now, didn't hurt. Try pinching the back of your neck, it's really not a very tender place. She had to reclamp me a bit, so that the markings lined up, and we were ready.
It was over in no time. There was barely any pain (seriously, I'm not known for my pain tolerance either *grin*) and the jewellery insertion was nothing. We'd decided on Tygon, which was left long to allow for swelling.
Afterwards, I was high as a kite. I went out into the waiting room, and showed a friend who'd been waiting. I got a few disturbed stares from the parents of the kids wanting their belly buttons pierced, and was then on my way, aftercare sheet safely tucked into my bag.
I had it downsized two weeks later, and although I missed freaking people out by pushing the tygon back and forth, it was nice to have it not get caught on things *grin*
Healing wise, it's been almost perfect. I use salt water soaks, which I do in the bath. It was pretty crusty the first month, but it's been about 4 and a half months now, and it very rarely crusties. I do have to put aloe vera jelly on it occasionally, because the skin around the holes dries out. Just recently it got very dry and stiff feeling, because I'd been lax with the aloe-vera. I just soaked it A LOT more than before, and put aloe on it numerous times throughout the day. It was about 5 days of stiffness and dryness, and now it's back to it's happy self.
It hasn't migrated at all in this four and a half months, and even though certain people said "Oh, they migrate really easily" I'm enjoying proving them wrong.
I have found that wearing my hair in a plait is a bad plan, especially when driving! Turning my head to the side to check for traffic when merging became painful when the balls got caught in my hair. Since then, I just haven't worn my hair in a single plait. I've also found that collared shirts can irritate it if I sleep in them, so I'd also recommend avoiding that.
It's basically an easy piercing to look after (it just requires a bit of coordination to use Q-tips on the back of your neck in such a way that it doesn't get the wrong spot), and mine is healing very happily. If you want one, go for it. The pain is negligible, and it's so beautiful!!
Next in my plans is a vertical hood (I had to take my Christina out), some tattoos I've been planning for years, my nipples and a vertical labret piercing. So, that's the next 2-3 years figured out, now all I have to do is save the money.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions about nape (or Christina) piercings, or the wonderful staff at The Piercing Shop. I'm happy to help if I can!