I've wanted to get my thumb web pierced for a couple months now. I've had a few unsuccessful attempts at it myself(this isn't a very good idea), so I decided to get it done professionally one mildly warm afternoon. It marks the end of a 7 week relationship with my now ex-girlfriend, so I'll never forget the day I had it done. Thats about as close to sentimental as I think I'll get.
At A Glance Author Nihil Contact Nihil@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Kenny Studio Barkers Ink 'n' Steel Location 53 Center St. Brewer, Maine On our way into town one morning, we passed the little shop and my friend mentioned that they were pretty good(thats where he had all of his current piercings done). So on our way back decided to stop by and check it out. The shop was very pleasant and inviting. Its a small cozy building with a large window in the front and tattoo art hanging on the walls. They also have a very large selection of body mod magazines to look at. The atmosphere was great and the shop was very clean. A friend of mine and I were invited into the back room where we discussed where I wanted it and he explained what was involved in the procedure. I foolishly decided on my right hand,(I'm right handed)and I'm paying for that now due to the limited use of it. (I went to open a checking account after I had this done and it was sort of a bad scene, I couldn't sign my name very well or hold things properly, plus it was leaking a little.)
I sat in the white tattoo chair and admired the pictures of some of the work he's done and what I'm guessing is some of the artwork he has drawn. He pulled all of the necessary instruments out of a cabinet, they were all sealed and sterile. He cleaned my hand with alcohol and then carefully clamped the web between my thumb and pointer finger about 1/4th of an inch up from the side. He dipped the needle in some sort of antibacterial goop, which also helped to get the needle through. He slowly and skillfully poked the hollow needle straight through the skin which actually hurt much less then I had expected. I had tried using a straight needle myself previously, but couldn't get it straight enough(my equipment was slightly crude). The ring(a cute little silver ring with a black ball) was then slid carefully through the hole and closed with a pair of pliers. He then explained how to clean it and such. The hole is very straight and clean. I'm very impressed and satisfied with thi s job, to say the least.
I was looking for something a little different and had never really seen anybody in this area with this type of piercing. The piercer, Kenny, was very helpful and seemed sort of excited to do something a little out of the ordinary. I guess he's a friend of the family of the companion I brought along. We talked a bunch, he's a great guy and I really enjoyed his company.
So this is the 3rd day with it and my hand is doing pretty well. It bleeds whenever I try to use my right hand extensively, so I clean it constantly. I use soap and water whenever it starts to get crusty and hydrogen peroxide when I wake up and before I go to sleep. The scab keeps adhering on one side to the ring which is kind of annoying. It gives me the most problem when I'm driving or sleeping, but doesn't really give my any problems otherwise unless I bump into something or try to turn a door handle. It seems sort of dry at the moment so I might need to pick up some ointment to help that out. Its not very inflamed currently and I haven't seen any signs of infection, so I think I'm doing an okay job keeping up on it. It seems to be healing well and I can't wait 'till it stops bleeding. I would like to put a nice silver bar through it as soon as possible, or perhaps a little nicer ring. I am also planning on gauging it a few sizes when it has healed up enough(as its only a 16 at the moment).
I'd recommend this piercing to anyone who wants something just a little different. The pain isn't too bad and I'd certainly do it again. I've recently become interested in piercing and this is pretty much an introduction and test run for me. I might get the other hand pierced soon. I'm also considering getting a surface piercing, maybe on my arm or foot. And maybe even a tattoo. This scene is very exciting and I'm anxious to get into it, I just don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. Wish me luck.