Alright, well I've been reading about all of the experiences on BME about hand-webs so I decided to write one about my experience. It will be done in an journal entry type format so don't be surprised. (I guess I should start at the beginning though...)
At A Glance Author JoE MoMMa Contact JoE MoMMa@bme.anon When It just happened Artist me Studio myself Location and I Well after a failed attempt at my ears, (don't ask), and still wanting a piercing I started thinking of where it should be. I didn't want another facial piercing, (while looking for another job). Nor another genital piercing see: S.D.S – Self Done Scrotal, so what's left... HANDWEB!!! Okay so now that I figured out which one I wanted it was up to how to do it?
Day One: (Waste of Time)
Okay so I still had a sterilized piercing needle and a CBR. So I soaked the CBR in rubbing alcohol, (it's only been in my body so don't b*tch). Now after marking and remarking I was finally set, I placed everything on a recently cleaned tray and was all set. Or so I thought. I opened up the needle package and took it out and touch the point to the skin, and felt a jolt go up my arm. Whoa!. Alright so I pushed a little harder and broke the outer layer of skin, (back of my hand); and I just could not go any further. So I put everything away still pissed I didn't have a new piercing.
Day Two: (D – Day)
Well I'm going to consider this Day 1 from now on 'cause yesterday didn't work out too well. Before I got started I remembered reading about using ice to numb the area so I decided that I'd try it out. I put an ice cube in a cloth and held it on the palm side of my webbing, then after a minute or so I'd switch sides, and repeat 'til it felt like my whole hand was numb. I decided to go from the inside out so I'd break the palm skin first. So I placed the needle on my mark and just pushed with all my might. Now pretty much all I felt was the outer layer of skin breaking on the entrance and exit holes. That was all there was to that! "GREAT!! now I have this needle sticking through my webbing" I thought. So I go into the bathroom to take the CBR out of the alcohol. Lubed the needle up first with Neosporin then lined up the jewelry with the needle and just pushed with all my might. Tight fit but it was in.
Now popping the bead on one handed was a different story I tried a couple of times but it wasn't happening. (By the way I pierced my left hand and I'm right handed). It's a good idea to pierce your opposite hand so it doesn't get in the way as much. Anyways, back to the story.... So I go grab my hemostats (roach clips) hehehe, and clamp the ring til' it clicked, insert clicking noise here. Then after a couple of tries the bead finally snaps on. HURRAY!!!
Day Three or was it Day Two?: (Goin' out in Public)
Well after my first cleaning and warm sea salt soak I'm ready to face the world with my webbing piercing. So we go to the grocery store to get ready for a long night of partying. It didn't get in the way too badly unless I grabed something the wrong way then it HURT! But it's somewhat expected considering where it's at. Oh yea! By the way sleeping wasn't too terribly bad. I had a band-aid near by but never needed to use it. (I figured if I woke up screaming from it getting caught on something then I'd use it). But the swelling and soreness was starting to get annoying. Sorry for the sidetrack anyways, while at the store I see a friend from school and we start chatting. Then I showed it to him, (1st person to see it); and he goes: "Oh...wow...cool..." then he immediately asks " why?" and I explained about my ears and how I was in need of a new piercing. So after the small talk we go our seperate ways. That night wasn't too terribly bad the drinking helped numb the pain a bit, (still sore) and I went to sleep a happy camper.
Day Four: The Aftermath
Well Day 4 (or is it 3 I'm confused),consists mainly of typing this up. I barely notice it's there unless I touch it and realize it's still soar. The skin was starting to dry out a bit (it can do that) from overcleaning so I just put a bit of Neosporin on the skin around it. One thing that does suck is trying to take a shower one-handed, it takes forever. But you get used to it. Swelling has gone down significantly, and the skin around it has loosend up enough to where it swings from my index to my thumb. As I'm typing it just rests on my thumb. So all-in-all it's pretty good.
Final Thoughts:
If you plan on doing this yourself, (and I'm not saying that you should) at least spring for a pre packaged sterile needle, they sell them at BMEshop.com that's where I got mine.
Read up on what you can first and before piercing pull the webbing away from your hand and check for veins with a bright light.
Don't take this as a guide it wasn't meant to be one. I didn't even wash my hands before I did the piercing but it's all good.
Be safe and happy piercing
- JoE MoMMa