I've had a few tattoos but the only piercing I've ever done were my ears (which were done simultaneously with 2 guns at the age of 6) and my nose (which was done slowly over the course of 2 weeks with a spring loaded ring at the age of 15) so when I decided to get corset piercing done on my wrists I had no clue how the procedure would feel.
At A Glance Author Ratchet Contact Ratchet@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Woody Munson Studio Smoking Gun Tattoo Location Watervliet Michigan I had recently turned 18 and had already started down the list of body modifications I wanted to have done. The initial plan was to have Teflon implants on my wrists, but after reading some scary research on re-absorption I had concerns. The article said that many modifiers were now switching to soft silicone implants but I felt that would be an odd material for my wrist. After viewing many corset piercing I opted for a subtler version of the normal corset piercing. Each wrist would contain two barbells with a captive ring screwed onto each end. This would allow support so the lacing would not pull as much on the flesh and look like four hoops in each wrist.
My arms instantly fell asleep as soon as the needle went through. Meaning that it hurt for about have a second and then went numb. My piercings were ultimately removed due to the social tensions in my small town and unfortunately were never photographed. However, I'm glad to have the experience and I still have the tiny almost invisible scars as a reminder. Some where I even have the jewelry saved. I plan to develop body jewelry for a living and I think that memory will help me for a long time.
My advice for those of you considering corset piercing is first off to do your research. BME is a great resource. Read up on the risks, and how they can be prevented. Make sure you know your artist well and trust them A LOT because many pierces are not very familiar with this procedure. It's probably best to find an artist who's performed it before but it is necessary to know that your artist has at least done their research.
Second, choose a parlor you are comfortable in. Never get a new body mod done in a place that is un-sanitary, also you need to be comfortable. My first tattoo was done in the most uncomfortable living room I've ever been in and I can tell you from experience that comfort affects pain. (Makes sense right?) So, you need to ensure that you feel comfortable with your parlor of choice. This includes selecting a friendly artist. Woody's shop where mine was done, Smoking Gun Tattoo, is very homey, yet still sanitary. He is very good about making sure EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS SANITARY AND STERILIZED, yet also makes you feel at home.
Third, FOLLOW THE AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS! Your piercer tells you how to take care of your piercing for a reason, any body mod has a risk. That risk is greatly reduced by taking care of yourself and people who don't often end up in a world of pain and can sometimes even die from their ignorance.
Fourth, I would recommend making sure you have had another piercing done before hand. The sensation is very different from a tattoo and especially since most women other than me get corset piercing of up to 60 loops, it doesn't make a good first piercing. The feeling is hard to brace yourself for if you don't know what to expect and gets rather irritating when use experience it over and over again, So it is important o ensure that you know what a piercing feels like. Otherwise it's rather shocking.
Also, as annoying as it is, your location can make it difficult to live with this type of body mod. People, even friends wouldn't even talk to me in a lot of situations. So you need to ensure that you can handle the shunning some people can dish out because this world is full of judgmental assholes.
Either way, as long as you put a lot of thought into your corset piercing and take care of yourself, corset piercings are beautiful and enjoyable. If you don't know yourself or your home town you will afterwards and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Oh, one more thing, if you must remove your piercing, I would suggest waiting until it is healed. When I had my wrists pierced the pain was quick but removing my barbells brought me to tears. Part of this was the emotional experience of giving up something I loved, but a large part of it was the pain. Trying to remove a fresh piercing is arduous and about 10 times more painful then having it put in. Also, continue to be diligent about the aftercare until your piercing is completely closed. Or else, you run the same risk as those who don't take care of the piercing they leave in, if not more of one.