I was initially going to get two surface piercings below my navel piercing, but to my dismay, they did not have to proper length of surface bars for my stomach. My stomach would need 1 1/4" bars and the shop only had 1" bars. My piercer Cherry brought in two 1" inch bars from the Hollywood Nathan's shop (which is now closed) to do the procedure on my nape. As the week progressed I became steadily more nervous. I had to save up money to get the procedure done.
At A Glance Author Heather Contact XxHopesfallgrlxX@aol.com When Six months ago Artist Cherry Leigh Studio Nathan's Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Canoga Park, CA
I invited my friend Justin to come in from Westlake to be with me while I got my new piercings. He could drive so this was a good idea for me. I went home after school that day and was already psyched out of my mind with fear and excitement. I called Cherry and let her know I'd be in at the shop in about half an hour. Justin arrived at my house and off we went to the shop. I walked into the shop filled with butterflies. Cherry who has been my piercer for about 1 1/2 years, previously doing my vertical industrial and my nipples and my nose, smiled at me as I walked in. We exchanged our hugs and hellos and she invited me to come sit on the bench where the procedure would take place.
Cherry brought out the surface bars and showed them to me. I was a bit curious at how two metal bars shaped like field goals would be placed in my neck. However, the thought did not stay in my mind for very long. I tied my hair up as Cherry felt the skin on my neck. She then took out a fine point sharpie and began measuring my nape. She asked me to stand up and check the marking. She handed me a mirror and I checked it up against the mirror on the wall. I told her I thought the markings were a little bit close and she replaced the markings in a better and farther apart manner. We agreed that these markings looked appropriate. I sat down as Cherry began to wipe my neck off with a tissue and disinfectant. I asked Justin to come sit next to me and hold my hand, as I was very scared at this point. The clamps were placed on the first set of markings. I took a deep breath on command as the needle pierced my flesh on the first point and exited at the second poin t. The jewelry was lubricated and inserted into my neck. My neck was thoroughly inflamed at this point as the second clamp was placed on the other set of markings.
The same procedure was taken this time, only all the blood was at surface and all the nerves were fully alive. This time, it hurt more, but not enough to bring tears to my eyes. The second piece of jewelry was inserted into my neck and the procedure was finished. Cherry wiped off my neck asked me to move my head in several different directions to make sure the jewelry was properly placed. She informed me that I should be coming back in about a month to get shorter bars inserted. I got up and looked at the work in the mirror and was absolutely ecstatic. It wasn't needed for me to be walked through the care of a piercing, as I already well knew what to do. I got 40 dollars out of my wallet (much cheaper because I'm always in the shop) and payed her giving her and extra 10 dollar tip. I left the store and went to go get a scoop of ice cream from Rite Aid. One of the cashiers at Rite Aid saw my neck and asked me if it hurt and I said of course it did.
During the month that I was taking care of my nape before I went in to have the jewelry changed, I became more aware of how much people touch the back of your neck during hugs or any kind of contact. My sleeping habits changed as had to avoid sleeping on my neck. About a month later I came back to have 1/2" bars placed in my nape. Regular needles were inserted in my neck before the new surface bars were inserted. The pain was barely noticeable as the bars were inserted and I had the old metal balls replaced with blue gem set ones. It has been about 5 months and my nape is doing quite well. It's still not completely healed and it doesn't get a little sore when anyone grabs my neck roughly. It looks absolutely wonderful and I am very pleased. I have plans to get two more nape piercings done under the first set. I still get many compliments from people including people who find piercings very unattractive. Nape piercing is something I would highly recommend to many people. Best wishes.