At A Glance Author dead ants Contact annabidmead@hotmail.com When Three months ago Artist Didn't get her name Studio Hair by Fairy Location Covent Garden, London The history
My surface piercing (horizontal, just below my already-pierced navel) was a Christmas gift from my boyfriend at the time. We'd been around London trying to find gifts for each other and were both becoming increasingly frustrated as I turned down clothes, CDs, jewellery... it was only as we passed a small hairdresser which I knew did piercings that the idea occurred to me. After all, what could be more passionate and more permanent than a piercing?
Choosing what part of me I wanted pierced wasn't difficult. I'd seen navel projects on BME and knew that the surface piercing would perfectly compliment my still-healing navel.
However, there was one tiny problem. I was only fourteen, four years too young. However, no-one asked my age as I filled in the consent form, which should have concerned me at the time. But the woman was friendly, and I was excited. Nothing was going to make me change my mind.
The procedure
My piercer was friendly and probably even more excited than I was. "Do you know how many nose and ear piercings I've done this month?" she asked. She explained how doing interesting piercings was a treat for her which, in retrospect, was something else that should have put me off.
The procedure itself was relaxed and my piercer really put me at ease by talking to me. We discussed how deep I wanted it, horizontal or vertical, with a bar or a ring. She brought out a curved barbell about two centimetres long. This was when I started to wonder if she really knew what she was doing. I was certain I'd read something on BME about surface piercings with barbells, but I couldn't remember what. I asked her about it and she explained that it would be fine with a barbell, it would only migrate if she used a straight bar. I now realise that it was stupid of me, but I believed her. She sounded so professional.
I lay down and she cleaned me up and marked up the entry and exit points. I checked the placement and prepared myself for the piercing itself. At this point my boyfriend came forward to get a closer look. As the needle went through my belly I watched the fascinated look on his face.
Getting my navel pierced had hurt. Not badly, but it had hurt. This fucking killed. I swear to God, she put the needle through as slowly as she could. However, I bit my lip and thought of how lovely it would look in the end. Getting the jewellery through hurt even more and wasn't helped by my piercer muttering "Oh, shit" to herself as she struggled to screw the balls on the end.
But it was done. It was sore, but at least it was over. And it was beautiful. My boyfriend paid the lady and I left the studio elated. I was in pain for a few hours afterwards but it was more irritating than excruciating.
The aftermath
Cleaning the piercing wasn't difficult. I'd been neglecting my navel which was still new and salt soaks gave me an opportunity to clean both at once. There was no bleeding and not too much crustiness (in contrast to my scabby infected navel). It seemed to be doing okay.
I loved the way the piercing looked and felt on me. Well, except for when it snagged on my belt, which it often did. I also enjoyed most people's reactions. My female friends loved it although my male friends were mostly disgusted and intrigued. The only seriously negative comments came from my cousin who hated it. However, I didn't let any of this get to me. It was my piercing. My parents never got to see it. Reluctantly warming to my navel, I knew they would kill me for getting another piercing so soon.
It was a month or two after getting the piercing that I looked on BME again, planning my next piercing. I looked up pictures of surface piercings to compare them to my own and did some research that I should have done before getting it done. I realised that my piercing was unprofessional and there was very little chance of my body accepting it. The best thing to do would be to take it out, and I reluctantly removed the barbell. I really can't explain how gutting that was.
Weeks later, I broke up with my boyfriend, which was sort of an extreme parallel to losing the piercing. The two tiny holes closed up, leaving behind two small scars and if you press between them you can still feel the scar tissue. I enjoyed that piercing for only two months and was left with a scar I'll have forever. It's a reminder of a really great relationship that went wrong.
If you're getting a surface piercing – or any piercing for that matter, look it up first. BME have an extensive collection of stories and pictures. Do not just rush in and get pierced like I did, even if it seems like a great idea. Check out the studio first, make sure it's clean and seems respectable enough. Don't be afraid to ask your piercer questions about the procedure. And never get a surface piercing with a barbell!