Background
At A Glance Author Jen Contact Jen@bme.anon IAM king_gitface When A month ago Artist Chris Studio 7th Sun Location Woolwich, London
A year ago, if you told me that I would have a piercing in the back of my neck. I would have laughed. If you had asked my friends if I was a person likely to get a piercing in the back of my neck, they too would have laughed. I come from a quiet family with no love for body modification, after each time I get a new piercing my Mum begs me not to get another one. So how did I, as a modified teenager become interested in surface piercing? Let's fast forward to the summer of 2002. I was at Reading Festival, waiting for a band to come on. A girl of about 18 was standing in front of me. Sticking out the back of her neck were two little sliver balls. At the time I was horrified. Why would anyone want to do that to themselves? About 8months ago, I stumbled across BME. I didn't realise at the time but I began to fall in love with the nape piercing. It was such a discreet little piercing and it looked, dare I say it... cute. I knew that this type of piercing wouldn't be widely accept ed. I was a bit worried about peoples reactions but I knew that I would have to get this pierced and soon. After an Msn conversation with my friend, she was all for it.
Me: Helen, there's a piercing I want really really badly. It's quite an extreme one and I'm not sure that many people would approve but I think it would make me happier if it were done. What do you think?
Helen: If it's what you want and it's not going to really badly scar if when you're older you don't like it and take it out.. then have it. Is it one you can hide from interviewers and stuff? Cause they're the only people I think might mind and if you wanted the job, you'd care what they thought
Me: yes. It's at the back of my neck.
Helen: Oh wow. But ouch. Yeah, if you do really want it done.. get it. If people don't approve.. feck them. You like it + it's you that wanted it. That's why you have it and they don't
Me: I shouldn't be worried about reactions but I am
Helen: You said it would make you happier.. if people give you bad reactions just hold your head up high. I don't think the people who give you bad reactions are worth bothering over anyway.
I knew she was right. That night I sat my mum down and asked her. She said that I was now old enough to make my own decisions and if this was really want I wanted then I should do it. In a fit of excitement I rang 7th sun to ask about my nape. It would cost £30 and Chris would be piercing it with a 2mm bar. I couldn't sleep that night. I was far too excited for my own good. In the morning I'd be getting my nape.
The piercing
The next morning I jumpe d out of bed. The night before I'd printed out some nape piercing information. It was 8am and in less than 2 hours I would have my nape piercing. I rung my friend and pretty much screamed down the phone for her to get out of bed. I met her in town and I was a bundle of nerves. I've never had a surface piercing before and I was unsure of the pain factor. From experience I know that it's never a good idea to get a piercing on an empty stomach, so I went in to the bakers to get something to eat and walked down to 7th sun. Inside there was a bunch of 13 year old wanting navel piercing. They asked me what I wanted done and I showed them the picture. Their faces were classic. Half the staff at 7th sun were trying to calm me down. Chris came and measured my neck to see which length bar we'd need and went away to get it. By this time I was bouncing round the shop being scared, any attempt to calm me down failed. At last Chris was ready for me. The girl who had wanted her navel pier ced was now crying and hyperventilating outside. Chris led me in to th e piercing room, which has more or less become my second home. He flattened the couch and I lay down. I removed all my various jackets. He must have spent at least 10 minutes marking my neck. When he had finished he asked me if I wanted to check it. We tried to look using reflections but it didn't work. I trust Chris to do more or less any piercing on me. He is very professional and I recommend him to all my friends. Even though I couldn't see what he was doing, I know that he would do a good job. Chris then put paper towels on the back of my neck. Asked me if I was ready, (to which I replied no) took a deep breath and then he pushed the needle through. People have told me that surface piercing don't hurt. Mine did. By God did it hurt. I don't know how to explain the pain; except it was the worst I have ever had for a piercing. While he was letting me rest I vowed never to get another piercing again. (This proved to be a lie... I was there getting a stretch/bar change the fo llowing week) He put the bar in and it was all done. The idea to eat was a good one. I got all dizzy as soon as I got up and had to sit down for about 10mins. My friend went to get me a Mars bar and a can of coke while I sat there being all happy. Everyone in the shop wants to see it. I all too happily oblige. Everything is sunshine and smiles in my world at the moment. I couldn't have been happier if I tried.
Aftercare Aftercare is the normal for any piercing. Salt soaks and leaving it alone. For the first 3 days after my piercing, I had daily salt baths, then gradually reducing it to when I needed it. My mum would help me clean it (after much complaining!) and I could sleep on it from the first night. I love my nape! It's my little baby. I don't know why people's reactions stopped me from getting it sooner.