I went into the shop to experience it again! After the first time one would think I would not go for a second, but I was asymmetrical and it was driving me crazy, so less than three weeks and I was going in for my second surface on my chest.
At A Glance Author Rat Contact Rat@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Dan Studio Shaman's Den Location Binghamton, NY This project started as a tattoo of Chaos Cross, which is 8 rays extending from a center with a circle around them. I decided that I wanted to have the surface studs show in between every arrow. That would make a total of 4 mods. This story explains the second mod, which is as far as I have gotten at this point. Number 3 and 4 are slated for next month.
Climbing up to the day I was anxious and nervous, that feeling would only be calmed when he started and it was time...
I sat down expecting much of the same experience as 3 weeks early and was amazed at the difference. I was already sore in the area where the mod was to be preformed, so I was quite anxious on what that might do to the sensitivity. Even as he massaged the area as to loosen it up, I could feel a small pinch in the nerve. It was going to be an interesting adventure, to say the least.
When Dan did the first dermal punch I thought that this would be much more intense, later I would find it was quite the opposite. After the punch was made a piece of skin hung on and he had to pop it off, and let me tell you, that was not fun. Luckily it was fast! The next punch was faster, but bled a lot more; the result from him hitting what he thought was a capillary. Then came the most unique part of the process, the separation, as the taper needle past under my skin, we hit very few rough spots and it seemed to go much smoother than the first one. What little connective tissue that was on that side must have been already fairly loose, or just not as stubborn. This made for a better experience and time to meditate. Don't get me wrong, I felt every bit of it, and when we were half way done it had already felt like an hour had passed.
My friend decided to take photos during the process, at this point the process became to much for him, he decided to sit down, when Dan and I both noticed he had gone pale. Dan ripped his gloves off and went to assist my friend in lying down and putting his legs up. Meanwhile, I lay on the table with the taper in my chest, which is okay because it was a well needed rest for the last stage of the process. (Dan putting fresh gloves on first, of course!)
This was the worst part last time so I was dreading the idea of going through it again. However, Dan, being the professional he is, realized that lubricating the jewelry might assist in its travels in the path made for it by the taper. Indeed, the pain was far less and afterward I was barely even lightheaded, unlike my friend who was just gaining his color back as I rose from the chair.
He was very meticulous about me seeing that everything was clean and that he threw away all of the sharps and such! Very instructive about the aftercare process, both of which I have hear a thousand times before from him... he can be cautious and for this business that is important!!!
The days following were completely different than the first, also! The pain has been longer, it seems as if hitting the capillary caused more irritation, luckily not enough to cause problems as of yet.
I left that day feeling satisfied and excited to finish the project! Two more and the process will be finished. The concept of that is exciting, yet depressing! It's depressing mainly because I enjoy the experience of the whole thing... exciting because a finished unique project always is a joyous occasion. Also, I can start thinking of what I will do next!
IF you plan on getting the modification, AND you live in the Binghamton area, I strongly suggest going to Dan. Also going with the TecaDerm healing process is the least irritating aftercare I have had yet for all of my mods. I have tattoos, and piercings alike and all of the aftercare for those was tedious and annoying. This is simply, leave it and forget it for a few days... quite easy! For more details on that please don't ask a doctor or me... but ask your local professional piercer! He or She will be much more versed in the details! Hopefully he or she is part of the APP!!