So for a couple years now I'd been fascinated with the sub-clavicle piercings. Frequently feeling my collarbones and pinching behind, and all that, increasingly more as time went on. A couple months ago I got so that I had to get it done. Next of course was to find a piercer who'd actually do the piercing. I read the 'why not how to' BME article about it and saw all the pictures I could manage to fine, which wasn't much.. Including the pictures of the one guy who appeared to be in horrible horrible pain during the procedure. I did quite a bit of research on the anatomy, and didn't find out anything good, that's for sure. I talked to my human anatomy professor (who does cadavers yearly too), and he spent about a half hour trying to convince me not to, with very good arguments/reasons I might add. But still, I needed the piercing done, so thus I began my search for the piercer.
At A Glance Author ezmeray Contact ezmeray@bme.anon IAM esmeray When A week ago Studio Blue Lotus Tatto and PIercing lounge Location Madison I won't go into detail about everyone I called, and how long I spent trying, including 3 states, but finally I found one. Someone who I passed over in the beginning, because the other piercer at the studio said 'no', but whatever. The person was at Blue Lotus, I'm not sure whether to say the name or not, since he was v. nervous, and said he'd probably never do the piercing again, unless mine healed fantastically, which, me doing the realist I am, I doubt they will.
So I made an appointment, and I went by the day before just to confirm the appointment, but surprisingly he was there, despite not being one of his normal scheduled days. He approved my collarbones, which was the only questionable thing about it all, and he asked if I wanted them done then, of course I did..
After a bit of a wait to set up and everything, I was called back. We looked at the pictures I brought with, and whatnot, other boring researchy stuff. Next, he made the markings, and after being sure it was all lined up nice, we figured out the best position for me to lie in for the piercing. First, we used a 12 gauge needle, with taper and 14 gauge tygon, I believe. The piercing itself wasn't so horrible really, the feeling was indescribable, it hurt to be sure, a dull pain, but really just a lot of pressure. It hurt occasionally as going through, and when coming out of course-same with surface piercings. But, then when threading the tygon through, it came disconnected with the taper, and that side was lost. So then had to be repierced, but this time we used a 10 gauge needle, so that they tygon would be much snugger and such. This worked well. The next side went fabulously, no complications at all, and a bit faster. So, they bled a tiny bit, not much. Sorta disappointing, no bruising. He too a picture, since I wasn't sure if I'd be able to come back for a long time (a couple hours away, and I have no car). As I was talking to the car, it started bleeding quite a bit, no big deal, but then I realized that I had forgot to tip him, of course I felt awful, I'm a great tipper, So rushed back, he cleaned it up, I tipped, all great and such. They weren't really hurting much at this point either.
Then, that night, I felt something fall into my bra while I was watching a movie, and I felt my chest in horror, counted the surface piercings, all there, not good, then the sub clavs, and sure enough, one was missing, The right one, which was just greeeat... not really. After a nice freak out moment, I got over it, what's done is done, no way to put it back, and just resigned to returning to the place the next day for it to be repierced.
Next day comes, and he doesn't like the idea of repiercing the area, too much trauma, etc, but I gave him sad eyes and he agreed finally. Which was awesome. It hurt a bit more, but it went faster this time anyways.
They look perfect though, despite a bit of redness and slight bruising, and I adore them so much.
For aftercare I'm taking ibuprofen to deal with the minimal amount of swelling and pain (which isn't bad really, just feels sorta weird, and hurts when the wind hits them), and doing sea salt soaks, as well as cleaning the ends and skin around it with Provon in the shower. There's excess tygon on them right now to deal with swelling and all that, just in case, but I plan on cutting them done soon. I highly recommend the piercer so much, he's the best I've been to yet, and I've been piercer by 9 different piercers (I have about 25 body piercings though-not counting ears at all, and 6 of the piercers only did one each) who really isn't that hard to figure out who it is, but don't bug him for these piercings please...
Feel free to contact me if any questions or anything, (IAM—Esmeray)