At A Glance
Author	Carly
Contact	IckleCarlsberg@aol.com
IAM	Carlsberg
When	A week ago
Artist	IAM: Sarge
Studio	MFC suscon
Location	Bournemouth, UK

I decided to write an experience on my clavicle piercings as I found it difficult to find out a lot of information on them myself before I got them.

I originally thought that collar bone piercings were just a surface piercing which was made to look as though it was passing under the collarbone, but my friend IAM:Crimsonkittie informed me that it was a deep surface piercing which did actually go under the bone. At first I didn't think about getting it done myself, but it did spark an interest so I decided to find out more.

I searched BME for pictures and experiences and spoke to another friend IAM: Kay who has the piercing. She was very helpful and it was reassuring speaking to someone who knew what the procedure and aftercare was like. After speaking to Kay I decided I really wanted to go for it, although I had doubts I'd be suitable as my collarbones don't protrude much at all. Kay had told me that IAM:Prodigy also wanted the piercings done but wasn't suitable so I spoke to him too. For weeks I kept pinching my collarbones to see if there was enough room. I also got extra information on the risks of this piercing from IAM:Fragilesense. These included hitting muscles groups which can affect movement of head and arms and risk of hitting one of the major arteries in the area.

I decided I wanted these piercings done at MFC suscon that took place over the weekend, so I sent IAM:Sarge a message about having them done. I trusted Sarge and knew that he had performed these piercings before and knew what he was doing. The day of the suscon I spoke to Sarge and asked if I was suitable for them. After sucking in I was told I was ok. I asked to have them done first (as I also wanted an 8mm dermal punch in my conch) and was pencilled in to have them done on the Saturday. Due to the amount of work I didn't end up getting them until Sunday.

I was quite nervous, as it is such a deep piercing so I asked IAM:Crimsonkittie to hold my hand and had moral support from some other IAMers who wanted to watch. So I sat on the table and Sarge cleaned me up and asked me to suck in so he could find the right spot and mark it up. He asked if I was ready and he started to pierce me. I really expected it to hurt, after all it was going under the bone and I was so surprised to feel no pain at all. A lot of people don't believe me, but I can honestly say there was no pain. I did feel a lot of pressure, which was weird but that was all. Throughout Sarge kept asking if I was OK and feeling alright which I was. Sarge then asked me to move my arms and head, which was uncomfortable but I could do it. I asked to wait a bit before the next piercing was done. Although it didn't hurt I just wanted a rest just to get my head round what had just happened. I felt more confident for the second one, but still wanted Sian to hold my hand. So Sarge prepared the left side for me and started to pierce again. However about half way through the needle got stuck or lost, I'm not too sure, so while Sarge was sorting that out I felt some pain then, so luckily I had Sian to squeeze and I made a stupid face, because it somehow helps. At first I was worried that I wouldn't be able to have the left side pierced and didn't want to be asymmetrical, which is an extremely vain worry to have. Then I was scared that I'd have the needle stuck in me forever or something had gone wrong, but Sarge asked me to suck in some more and the problem was solved. The jewellery was inserted and I was asked to move again, and I could which is good.

I was so happy when it was over and I really wanted to see them so I was handed a mirror to look at them and I gave Sarge a hug and the adrenaline rush and feelings of happiness were great. I think I talked lots afterwards, which I always do after getting pierced. I kept moving my head and arms even though it was uncomfortable as I didn't want to stiffen up. The more I moved them the more I got used to it. I did worry getting undressed and dressed would be a problem but I managed it without help although I had IAM:Girl on standby in case I got stuck! Sleeping was unusual as I usually sleep on my side, but it was just too uncomfortable so it took a while getting into a comfortable position.

For aftercare I am just using salt water soaks twice a day and not touching or moving the jewellery, as I can imagine its quite easy to get infections and since the piercing is inside the body an infection would be quite nasty. Two days after I went back to Sarge to get the excess tygon cut off to save it getting caught. I didn't have much swelling, well none I could notice. 4 days on I have no problems and am just going to continue keeping it clean and try to avoid clothes which will rub on it.

I love my piercings and hope I won't have to lose them, but Sarge did say that of all he has done no-one has had to lose them, so I guess it's up to me to make sure I look after them properly. If anyone is interested in getting these done I would seriously recommend finding a piercer who knows what they are doing and who you trust and who feels confident to do the procedure. It's quite an unusual piercing and there is quite a lot of risks with it, which is why you need a confident and knowledgeable piercer. I can't imagine not having them now and don't understand why I wasn't keen on them at first. Aesthetically they are great, but a lot of thought needs to be taken into it first before deciding to go ahead with them