I wouldn't exactly say I'm new to body modification. I've got two scarifications, earlobes that were pierced at 8 gauge, a retired horizontal eyebrow piercing, and a retired nostril piercing. My first horizontal eyebrow piercing was what start this all, actually. I got it pierced, but within a month it had rejected so much you could see the curved barbell through the skin. After speaking to my piercer, Jeff, we decided we'll just re-pierce it with a surface bar.
At A Glance Author ConcreteAngel Contact ConcreteAngel@bme.anon IAM ConcreteAngel When A month ago Artist Jeff (IAM: FirstStar) Studio First Star Location Lachine It took me months to convince my mom to let me get my horizontal eyebrow pierced in the first place, so I was pretty let down when I figured I would have to take it out. After getting promises from my mother that I could get it re-done though, I didn't mind so much.
Surface bars are preferred for surface piercings (which is what an eyebrow piercing is) because they give less of a chance of rejection right away. Anyways, with that, my first horizontal eyebrow piercing was taken out, and I waited for it to heal up. After a few weeks, and a lot of thinking, I decided to get re-pierced on the right side, instead of on the left.
A week later I was set. I had made the appointment, eaten at least an hour beforehand, and was excited beyond believe (as usual). So I hopped on the bus and I was on the way to First Star. I got there and Jeff said everything was still in the autoclave, so I waited around for a bit. The apprentice, Marcus (IAM: Captainmarcus) (who is also one of my friends), and my other friend, Paulina (IAM: Paulisnaff), were there as well, so I didn't get very bored.
Finally, the jewellery was ready. First off, though, Jeff called my mom to make sure she was okay with it, as she couldn't come with me because she was busy. After getting her "okay" for the piercing, we got to work. I sat down in the chair, with Paulina beside me talking to me. Jeff cleaned the tray where all the equipment was (clamps, needle, jewellery, etc.) and changed his gloves every time he touched something.
And then everything was ready. Jeff changed his gloves, took the marking pen and marked me, and changed his gloves again. He showed me the 14 gauge needle, still in its package, and unwrapped it. Seeing as I have more space between my eyebrow and my eye, I could get the piercing underneath my eyebrow. Unlike most people, who need to get a horizontal eyebrow done above their eyebrow. He clamped me, and put the needle against my skin.
"Okay. I'm going to count to 3, and then I'm going to pierce."
"Okay."
"1...2...3"
And it was over like that. I won't say it didn't hurt, because everyone has different levels of pain tolerance. So if I were to say "Oh, it didn't hurt, everyone should get it!" It wouldn't necessarily be true. Just because it didn't hurt me doesn't mean it won't hurt the next person to get it done. I felt a slight...burning? I guess. It's hard to describe the sensation exactly.
The needle went through, followed in by the surface bar. As soon as Jeff took off the clamps, he put a paper towel to my eyebrow as it was bleeding a bit. Seeing as this was a bigger gauge than usual, I expected this. After a minute or two, Jeff put some stop bleed on it. That stuff really amazes me. You put the stop bleed on the area that's bleeding, and within seconds it stops.
I sat down for a few more minutes, and then got up to check it out in the mirror. It looked beautiful! Aside from the coagulated blood and stop bleed of course. I was so happy. I paid Jeff, got an aftercare sheet, and headed on my way.
It's been three weeks so far that I've had my horizontal eyebrow. There are still crusties, but there are less and less everyday. There's not a single sign of infection or rejection, unlike my previous horizontal eyebrow piercing. I clean it daily with antibacterial soap, and take more care than ever to not touch it unless my hands are clean. My first horizontal eyebrow was constantly being yanked on from my hair getting caught on it, so this time my hair is constantly kept up in an elastic.
I still have a small scar from my first horizontal eyebrow piercing, but it's fading away slowly. Even though I can change the surface bar itself, Jeff said once the piercing is healed I can change the balls to get colored ones and such. I can't wait.
I strongly recommend First Star, Jeff is an amazing piercer. And the tattoo artist that works there, Lyndon, does amazing work too! Everything is 110% sterile, and they have really awesome prices too.
Anyways, happy piercing, and good luck to all and your modifications!