I've never considered myself to be the type to get unusual piercings. I actually thought I was acting against my nature when I gauged my ears to a 10 :-). But when I ran across a picture of a girl with a nape piercing on the internet, I was immediately interested. I decided to Google the piercing and look at other pictures on-line. After seeing pictures and reading stories of other people who have gotten it done both on BME and around the internet, I decided I had to get it done.
At A Glance Author gilly Contact gilly@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Tony Studio K and K Piercing Location Boulder, Colorado Since I'm underage, it took quite a bit of convincing to get my parents to go along with me to sign the release at a studio (unlike my navel, which was pierced in my living room by an amateur piercer, I wanted to get my nape done at the best place in town with the most experienced guys). I had to do tons of research plus go to the studio a week beforehand to ask them about the procedure and the jewelery. At first, I was a little put-off by the staple-looking surface bar they showed me (I assumed it was done with a regular barbell), but when Tony told me it was a lot less likely to reject with the surface bar in, I warmed up to it.
Finally, two days after my 17th birthday, with all of my many hours of research under my belt, and the money I needed to pay for the procedure, I went down to the studio with my mom and a couple of my friends. My mom signed the release and made sure it was okay for her to leave (she's squeamish and had no desire to stay for the piercing). I was beginning to get nervous! Tony showed me the jewelery--instead of the staple looking bar he'd shown me a week before, he decided to use a 14g surface bar with ends at a 45-degree angle. It looked a lot less scary to me.
Then we went back to mark my neck. This took him about 10 minutes, as he marked and erased until it was completely perfect. Then he changed his gloves, procured a new needle from a place I couldn't see, sterilized the jewelery in a machine, and wiped my neck with something I would think was rubbing alcohol or Bactine. By this time, I was so nervous I was clutching my friends' hands very very tightly and they laughed at my asking if it was done yet. Tony told me to relax and breathe as he clamped my neck, which pinched quite a bit. Then came the needle. I have to admit, it hurt A LOT! My guy friend told me afterward that he'd never had his hand squeezed that hard in his life. Maybe because I have a low pain threshold (my navel hurt just as much), or maybe because I was just expecting the pain, I don't know. All I can say is once the jewelery was in and the endorphins were pumping through me, I was so happy to have it! Tony gave me a mirror to see it, and although it was very swollen and red, I was in love.
Then I went up front to pay and Tony told me the cleaning procedure--Bactine three times a day. My body has never reacted well to Bactine, so over the last two weeks I've modified my cleaning schedule to saline solution (contact solution) a couple times a day whenever I feel I need it, and anti-bacterial soap (I use regular Softsoap) once a day in the shower. I also use Bacitracin 1-3 times a week right before I go to bed.
Sleeping was a blast the first couple of nights, as I couldn't comfortably turn my neck, and showering wasn't tons of fun, but it's gotten a lot better. I have really long hair and I plan to wear it up 24-7 for another week or so until I really feel comfortable with it on my piercing. I also can't wear high-collared shirts yet, as they rub the piercing, but since it's summer, I've been fine with just tank tops. Thankfully, it's high enough not to be bugged by necklace clasps.
I went back for a check-up two days ago and was told it looked perfect--very little redness, no swelling, and no signs of rejection. Crust is very minimal, but there is some. I also rest on a heat pad for 10-15 minutes when I have the time (I've read it speeds up healing) and I ALWAYS remember to take extra vitamins for my immune system. Zinc, Vitamin C, and those Flintstone's Vitamins (I've had them ever since I was a kid :-)) have worked miracles.
I hope this helps, and I suggest to anyone looking to get this piercing to take great care of it! It'll really pay off, because it's so cool and I've gotten many positive (if not astonished) reactions to it. It's the best birthday present I've given myself!