First, I'm Taiwanese and therefore, typical of the Asian culture, grew up in a very conservative household. I've been interested seriously interested in body modification since I was a sophomore in high school, but never really got to experience anything until recently. Since I just got into college and I've already shocked my dad with ultra-short colored hair, I decided that for the sake of his blood pressure, I wouldn't get a piercing that was immediately outstanding.
At A Glance Author jshen Contact wearesheep@hotmail.com IAM jshen When A week ago Artist Sharrin Studio Pierce Ink Ltd. Location San Jose, California It all started when I began looking into the "unusual" section of BME piercing, and I came across the cleavage piercing. I wasn't new to this piercing, as the guy I was seeing (and still am) had his sternum pierced, but it was the first time I had seen it on a girl. At first I was content to just look at it and think "oooh pretty.." but I eventually got the urge to have it done. At the time, I was contemplating several piercings, and being in college, was intent on having at least one of them done while at home over winter break. I talked to my friend about it, and at first decided to have my nipples done. However...due to the cost of the piercing and the place that I wanted to go, there was no way that was going to happen. So, I decided on the cleavage piercing (much to the dismay of my friend, who had offered to pay for half as my Christmas present).
We decided to go the day before she was to leave for vacation, after a shopping trip. The entire time during the shopping trip, I could barely think of anything else. For comfort, I had two of my friends come with me. As we pulled up to the piercing place, Pierce Ink Ltd, I started to freak out a little. We parked and went inside, and told the lady at the counter (Sharrin, who was to be the woman to pierce me) that I wanted a cleavage piercing. We went into the piercing room so that she could see whether or not I was suitable for such a piercing. Basically, she told me that I didn't have much skin, and that rejection would be a 60% possibility...but I was already there and was not going to back down.
We went back to the counter and I picked out my jewelry (a 1 inch 14g surface bar w/ silver balls) and she went back to ready the equipment. I went outside for a smoke. When I came back in, she told me that she was ready, and I had my two friends come with me; one to hold my hand, one to take pictures. I stood shirtless as she marked me - perfect on the first try! - and then lay down on the chair. Then she massaged the area to loosen up the skin and she told me that lying down, I actually had more skin to work with. She put some antibiotic gel stuff on to sterilize the area, and readied the needle. I, at this point, had my eyes shut tightly, determined not to look down while she pierced me. Oh yeah, she decided against the punch and taper and instead used a needle and freehanded it. I felt the needle make the first hole (Sharrin, meanwhile, telling me to keep breathing), traverse beneath my skin, then kind of "pop" through to make the second hole. To tell you the truth, the piercing itself lasted longer than I thought, and it was definitely painful, but for the life of me I can't tell you really how painful it was, as I don't even remember anymore. During the piercing, it seemed like it lasted forever, but looking back on it, it seems as though it went by really fast. I could feel the needle parting my flesh; it was really a weird feeling. She then threaded the surface bar through (which I really didn't notice, it felt a little like I was being pierced a second time, but without the pain) and I was done. The entire process probably lasted somewhere around two minutes or so. I stood up and checked myself out in the mirror - it looked awesome! A little redness, but no blood whatsoever. I got an aftercare sheet and bought a bottle of Provon, and it was back home.
For most of the rest of the day, I could barely feel it; in fact, I caught myself checking down my shirt constantly just to see if it was still there. Later that night, I accidentally knocked it and the top hole began to bleed a bit and I started to feel it, but I made sure not to touch it with dirty hands and later cleaned it up. It's been a little under a week so far and the initial healing has been great - I haven't felt any great discomfort and the only significant pain I felt was when I accidentally stretched my arms back - not so good. Now, I just make sure that I wear a bra 24/7 and do saltwater soaks before cleaning it w/ provon. Sometimes it'll get sore, mostly from sleeping weird, probably, but it's never a big thing and it goes away.
I sincerely love this piercing and hope I never have to take it out. I love the way it looks and the little boost in confidence it's given me. Advice: try avoiding the missionary position or any other position during sex where it may come in contact/collision with someone else..trust me, it'll bruise like no other and look ugly. Plus, it's kind of painful. Besides that, have fun! I don't feel restricted at all with this piercing, especially seeing as I've got protection on two sides (yay for boobs!). The only thing I wish I could change is the length; I kind of wish that the bar was longer. Anyway, I definitely recommend this piercing, it's not extraordinarily painful to get and it's definitely not a hassle to deal with in everyday life.