Ever since I first saw a wrist piercing when I was fourteen years old, I knew it was something that I eventually wanted to get done. I researched it on and off, but the information I found didn't really answer the questions I had. Obviously, after four years of contemplation, I at least knew the basics and what to look for in a piercer. I have seen horrible surface piercings done on my friends who wanted them done cheap-- straight or curved barbells, weird placement, etc-- so when I finally decided to get it done, I went to a piercer who was recommended by various sources. About two months ago, I went to Progressive to ask Scott a few questions and get pierced. After I found out that he uses the punch + taper method, saw healed surface piercings in his portfolio, and discussed the risks and aftercare of the procedure with him, I knew I had made the right choice. He told me that the jewelry was on backorder, and he wouldn't get it in for a couple weeks. Although I was severely disappointed, I decided to wait it out. He took a few preliminary measurements, and I went home without a piercing and with only the promise of a phone call.
At A Glance Author xlorix Contact xlorix@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Scott Jania Studio Progressive Location Chicago After waiting for what seemed like forever (but was actually a month), the jewelry finally came in. I decided to go by myself to get it done, even though a few friends and my parents offered to come with me. I didn't want someone asking me a million questions beforehand and making me nervous, as I had done a pretty good job psyching myself out already. Prior to this experience, I only had my ears pierced/stretched and a smiley piercing, both of which are completely different from a surface piercing. I suddenly felt very unprepared for what I was getting myself into. After waiting for about 20 minutes and filling out some paperwork, it was finally time to get my wrist pierced.
The room itself was very clean and almost had a medical feel to it. Scott explained that this was one of the few piercings he does with the client sitting up, and told me to get comfortable while he got some things ready. I took all the stuff out of my pockets, pushed up my sleeves, turned off my cell phone (I figured a call during the procedure could potentially be distracting, if not for Scott then for me), and had a seat on the table. Scott brought over a tray for me to put my right arm on (the one I was getting pierced), and spent a couple minutes adjusting it until it was comfortable for me. He then cleaned my arm and showed me all of the tools he would be using while explaining the procedure in detail. He explained that he won't pierce a wrist less than three fingers above the hand to accommodate for reaching into pockets, and showed me what the 12 gauge surface bar with flat disk ends he'd be putting in my piercing looked like. After that, he began to mark my arm, first with a grid and then with dots where the jewelry would enter and exit, a process which took about 30 minutes. He made me move my hand in different positions, explaining that he would place the piercing where it would be subject to the least amount of movement. I apologized for taking so long because of my awkwardly shaped wrists (seriously, they're awkward!) and he said that it wasn't a problem at all because time was not an issue-- there wasn't even a clock in the room for that reason. He finally got a placement that he was satisfied with and, after I approved, it was time to start the actual piercing.
Scott prepared my wrist, and then asked if I was ready for the first punch. He asked if I had a preference for which hole was to be done first, and I told him the inner one. This was the part I was most nervous about. I had no idea what to expect from the punch other than excruciating pain, and I was very quietly freaking out inside my head. He pinched the skin around where the mark for the hole was-- breathe in, breathe out-- and did the punch. I was very pleasantly surprised. There was no excruciating pain, just a little discomfort-- it actually felt kind of good. It didn't bleed very much at all. I was kind of disappointed, though, because I wanted to see the piece of skin and tissue it removed just because I thought it would look cool, but it was stuck in the punch itself. Oh well! Then came what was definitely the worst part... the taper. Scott asked if I was ready, then kind of lifted up the skin on my arm. He inserted the taper into the hole and VERY slowly pushed it through slightly past where the other hole was going to be, and then brought it back. Again, it wasn't very painful, but it was probably one of the most uncomfortable feelings I have ever had-- if I had to compare it to something, it'd be stretching of an unhealed piercing. It was also incredibly awkward seeing a piece of metal sticking so far out of my arm, and it was beginning to bleed a little more (although still not excessively).
Scott asked if I was ready for the second punch, and then followed the same procedure as the first. However, the tissue on the outside of my arm was a bit tougher, and the punch took longer to go through, though still not more than a few seconds. Then came the second worst part, which was pushing the taper through the hole and bringing the jewelry through. Watching the taper slide under my skin was almost surreal, but it was mostly just uncomfortable. After a brief struggle due to the shape of the surface bar, it finally "popped" into place. Scott screwed the other disk on the end, and it was done! It looked great and I was very excited and happy that I had gone through with it. Scott put this clear bandaid thing over it that he said would allow air to circulate but keep it dry and prevent it from snagging for the next 24 hours, explained the aftercare, had me initial some forms, and sent me on my way. It was a little sore, but it wasn't all that painful-- although the blood smeared on my arm under the bandage did elicit more than a few stares on the train ride home. All in all, I was very happy with the experience. Scott was extremely professional and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole procedure. He quelled any fears I had and his witty remarks definitely made it more tolerable.
Since then, I have been doing hot compresses on and off for about an hour each day. It has only been three weeks, but it appears to be healthy and healing ok. No one I know really likes it... most people, like with all modifications, ask, "Why?" and are thoroughly disgusted. People also ask if it hurts or what it felt like to get done. I can't even feel it now unless it snags on something (which I really need to be more careful about), and getting it done was a very unique experience. It's not really comparable to anything I've felt before, though it was a LOT less painful than I had expected. I've heard people rank it (in terms of pain) as 4-6 out of 10. I'd definitely rank it at the lower end of that spectrum... it's nothing to worry about.
A few words to anyone considering getting this piercing: even if you think you aren't going to snag it on anything, YOU'RE WRONG. It happens every now and then, regardless of how careful you are. Also, don't expect it to be over in a few seconds... it takes at least a couple minutes, and the "high" you get before a piercing has plenty of time to wear off while your wrist is being marked. And finally, make sure you do research and find someone you're 100% comfortable with to do the piercing for you. It's worth it.
Feel free to contact me with any questions. :)