Straight after I'd gotten my right wrist pierced (experience can be found here) I was already thinking on getting my left wrist pierced, as well. I was a bit shaken from getting pierced a first time though, and I wanted to see how that one would heal before getting any more piercings.
At A Glance Author Krynn Contact Krynn@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Ilja Studio Body Sign Location Alkmaar, the Netherlands
After a month, no more ooze came out of the first piercing, so I thought it was healed enough to go and get that second one. I took off the watch I've always worn on that wrist and started with calling the shop asking when the guy that did my right wrist would be around again. That's where the fun started: due to my busy college schedule there were not many days I could undertake the 2 hour trip to my piercer. Ilja wasn't around much those days either. He was busy with other things or sick. I wasn't going to another shop though. Ilja had done a fine job the first time, so I did not want anyone else. In the end, I had to wait for two very long months. My wrist looked odd to me without piercing, I was ready to get it done, NOW! Verrry frustrating. Of course, I live a very happy life if this is the worst I get frustrated over :)
Anyways. One morning, I got up after a short night and went to work. During lunch, I called the shop. Ilja would be present that day! I begged my boss for an early leave and got it.
When had gotten to the shop and told Ilja "You've put one in this wrist, now I want the other one done too!" we first sat down and chatted about the healing of the first piercing. I got compliments on my care for it; he said it had healed very well. After the necessary paperwork, Ilja laid out his stuff, and proceeded with marking where the entry- and exit hole would be. It took maybe five minutes to make them symmetrical to my right wrist. A minute later, I had my second piercing. I had been watching most of it, only missing the part where the needle first entered my skin. All I felt during the procedure was a sort of happy curiosity. Very different from the first time, when I had been so horribly nervous. I wasn't exactly overly proud about finally having the piercing. It more felt like something necessary having been executed. That doesn't mean I wasn't happy with it. I was and I am.
Ilja had warned me healing could be different, even though it was basicly the same piercing on the same spot. He used an understatement.
I know it's not entirely correct, but for lack of a clearer marking point, I define a healed piercing as one that doesn't ooze wound liquids anymore. By that definition, my right wrist has taken a month to heal, and my left wrist four days.
My left wrist had hurt less then the right one when it had gotten pierced, and no blood had come out. I kept expecting stuff to start oozing out, but that never happened save once. 3 Days after I'd gotten the piercing, I lifted a heavy stack of books. I felt a mild pain, and suddenly, blood came out both of the holes. Apparently I had ripped a bit of tissue at the inside while lifting those books. I could still move my hand just fine so I shrugged it off.
Because nothing oozed out, I grew lax with the aftercare after a week. I stopped washing the piercing with antibacterial soap, trusting my daily shower to be enough to clean it. It was. After 10 days, I couldn't bear the hot weather anymore and went swimming with it in natural water. Natural water isn't exactly crystal clear in the Netherlands, yet nothing happened. No infections whatsoever. It's been a month now. I've been swimming almost every day. The piercing is still looking fine.
I've come up with 3 explanations for all of this.
One: I've had all the luck in the world with the way my body heals. If I wouldn't be lucky, there wouldn't be so much advice going against what I just described as my aftercare. Swimming isn't a good idea, and one should wash this type of piercing with antibacterial soap for at least 3 months.
Two: No stress during the piercing procedure itself. My body knew what was coming and has accepted this one from the moment it got in.
Three: Way less bumping. I'm right handed. The piercing trough my right wrist got it's first slap within an hour, the one trough the left hasn't snagged really badly as of yet. I think bumping it less has also got to do with the left one knowing what will hurt from the experiences of the right one. So if you're considering getting just one wrist pierced, take the one you use less.
Whatever did it, I don't care. I'm just very happy with having the left one done as well. My wrists are symmetrical again, and look beautiful. It will be a while before I get fully used to checking other places then my wrist for the time, though :P