So my friend and I had decided that we were going to get pierced but we had to figure out what we wanted pierced first. I decided to get underneath my navel pierced as a surface piercing and she decided to get her sternum pierced as a surface piercing.
But when we arrived at Wicked Ink in Penrith and met with Joeltron, our piercer, he persuaded us to get dermal anchors instead as there was a better chance of healing as the surface piercings would only have a 20% chance, and also because I loved the look of the star shaped anchors.
It took forever to mark up the right locations on my stomach as my navel and anti navel piercings are slightly off centre so when the markings were looked at from afar they looked crooked, as well as the fact that Joeltron was really anal about getting the markings exactly where they should be and not one millimeter off.
We finally figured out where they were going to sit, 4cm apart from each other and 3cm below my navel, it seriously took us about half an hour to get the markings perfect, but it was worth it.
After going out to get something sugary to drink (apple juice) and having some cigarettes to calm my nerves my friend and I headed back for the trickier part.
As we walked back in Joeltron told us to go into the room and that there was a couple in there that wanted to check out our markings. The man in there had just had a dermal anchor re pierced just below his cheek bone and was bleeding profusely. He and his girlfriend gave us graphic details of how they perform the implant and by that point I was even more nervous which I didn't think was possible.
By the time I was laying on the bed with my dress up and paper towel tucked into my underwear I was just about shaking.
Joeltron pinched the skin where the marking was and told me to close my eyes and take a big breath in. As I let the breath out I felt the needle go in. That first part wasn't too painful; I just tried to keep breathing.
When the anchor was being placed in is where the real pain began. At first it just felt like that annoying feeling where someone's pulling at your stomach hairs but then as the legs of the anchor were being pushed in, the pressure and pain was intense. I thought I was going to faint so Joeltron stopped fiddling and gave me some sugary chewy things and some water and when I finally stopped getting scared of him touching it, he put some pressure on it to make sure it was sitting down right and then sprayed it with saline and it was on to the next one.
I was scared out of my mind to get the next anchor because now I knew what it would feel like so I had decided that I wasn't getting the second anchor put in because I was fretting about the pain of the second part again. My friend finally calmed me down and convinced me to get it done now while my endorphins were kicking in so I told Joeltron to do it.
During the first part of the task I wasn't as calm as I had been the first time and as the needle went down my stomach tensed up and as the needle came back out there was a chunk of flesh from inside my stomach stuck to it.
It was pretty gross but Joeltron put it in a little bag and told me I could keep it.
After putting a clear bandage on top of it I got up and looked at my two cute little star anchors and decided that the pain was worth it.
Once my friend had gotten the dermal anchor in her sternum, Joeltron gave us some advice and aftercare tips, like to change the bandage stuff at day and night for a week and the next week just at night and to spray it with the saline solution.
After the big endorphin hit for my friend and I, we went out to pay for our 3 new anchors and for 2 containers of saline spray that ended up being $224 which we thought was a pretty good price.
I can tell you, it hurt like a bitch getting the jewelery into the pocket, but the rest was fine and I am definitely thinking about getting some more.
There was no real pain after the piercings were in, all that hurt was trying to pull the sticky bandage off them as they felt like they were pulling up but I can stand and walk without even noticing them. I would seriously recommend to anyone to get the dermal anchors because they are easier and it is a completely different sensation to getting a piercing.
And now I have 2 pretty star shaped anchors in my belly and I'm in love with them :)
четверг, 11 февраля 2010 г.
My beautiful nape piercing
I should start this off with saying I currently have twenty piercings, and have had over forty if you count everything that has been ripped out, taken out, and/or re-pierced. I'm not quite sure what made me decide that I wanted a nape piercing, but I've always seemed to love getting piercings that aren't common, and ones that get comments such as, "WOW, how does that work?!" Anyway, one morning I woke up and decided I wanted to get my nape pierced. I never even considered it before that day. I have long hair and figured it would be constantly getting caught in it, and it would be just an all around nuisance to deal with. It seems as though almost every piercing I've gotten has started with the thought, "I really don't think I'd ever get that." My fanatic love for body modification has grown over the years, and I've gotten piercings that I have never imagined getting.
I don't recall the first time I saw a nape piercing, but I knew I wanted it. I can't get any more piercings on my face at the moment (I have five, counting my tongue webbing), four on my navel, then the rest are on my ears. I knew that I didn't have many options, because of my mod-hating family. Christmas break was coming up soon, so I figured I would wait the extra couple weeks until then so I didn't have to deal with cleaning it at school and such. However, two days before break started, I got impatient and decided to go get it done the same day. I got ahold of my friend, Erica, and asked her if she was up for getting a piercing. We get all our piercings done together, and I wasn't going to make this an exception. She decided she was going to get a conch. My friends and I arrived at my regular piercer's shop, and were required to wait about twenty minutes because Shawn, my piercer, went out on break. Once he arrived, we talked about what jewelery I wanted to use, and all th
at good stuff. He asked me how high I wanted the piercing to be, then marked up my neck and we were good to go.
This was the worst part of the process. The clamps. My skin is extremely tight in the back of my neck, and the clamps wouldn't stay on. Shawn kept trying and trying, and by the time he got them to stay on, it was about ten minutes later. My neck was burning at that point from all the pinching and pulling. Shawn asked if I was okay, and I just told him to do whatever he needed to do to get it done, and not to worry about me. I have a high pain tolerance, and knew it would take far more than a bit of a burning sensation on the back of my neck to make me back out of this piercing. Now comes the needle. This part was remotely painless. I could definitely feel some pressure, and the needle going through, but it didn't hurt. Next came the jewelery. Of course, I was getting a staple bar. The jewelery going in the first side was nothing, but it was a bit uncomfortable coming out the other side. Shawn and Erica laughed uncontrollably when I said "Bitchfuck!" out of surprise. There was
no blood at all, so Shawn just screwed on the other ball and I was good to go.
It was surprisingly painless, and it wasn't sore at all afterward. It was a bit red from all the clamping, but nothing other than that. It is now three days after the piercing, it hasn't been sore at all, and there hasn't been any redness. Also, no crusties. So far, this is one of the easiest piercings I've had to care for. I haven't been doing anything special, just alternating between sea salt soaks and then antibacterial soap in the shower, and it's been fine. Normally I just use antibacterial soap for my piercings, but considering this is on the back of my neck, it's a little difficult to clean it with soap unless I'm in the shower. So I've been doing antibacterial soap in the morning when I shower, then a sea salt soak at night before bed.
I couldn't be happier with this piercing. Even though I originally planned on having flat discs instead of beads, the beads aren't a pain in the ass like I thought they'd be. So far, they haven't gotten caught on anything, not even my hair. I love seeing people's reactions to it. Though, the "doesn't that hurt?!" has been happening quite often, which can get quite annoying. Most of my friends were curious about it, and asked how it worked. Others didn't give a shit, and gave me the, "You got ANOTHER piercing?! That's disgusting." attitude. All I can say is they're missing out.
I don't recall the first time I saw a nape piercing, but I knew I wanted it. I can't get any more piercings on my face at the moment (I have five, counting my tongue webbing), four on my navel, then the rest are on my ears. I knew that I didn't have many options, because of my mod-hating family. Christmas break was coming up soon, so I figured I would wait the extra couple weeks until then so I didn't have to deal with cleaning it at school and such. However, two days before break started, I got impatient and decided to go get it done the same day. I got ahold of my friend, Erica, and asked her if she was up for getting a piercing. We get all our piercings done together, and I wasn't going to make this an exception. She decided she was going to get a conch. My friends and I arrived at my regular piercer's shop, and were required to wait about twenty minutes because Shawn, my piercer, went out on break. Once he arrived, we talked about what jewelery I wanted to use, and all th
at good stuff. He asked me how high I wanted the piercing to be, then marked up my neck and we were good to go.
This was the worst part of the process. The clamps. My skin is extremely tight in the back of my neck, and the clamps wouldn't stay on. Shawn kept trying and trying, and by the time he got them to stay on, it was about ten minutes later. My neck was burning at that point from all the pinching and pulling. Shawn asked if I was okay, and I just told him to do whatever he needed to do to get it done, and not to worry about me. I have a high pain tolerance, and knew it would take far more than a bit of a burning sensation on the back of my neck to make me back out of this piercing. Now comes the needle. This part was remotely painless. I could definitely feel some pressure, and the needle going through, but it didn't hurt. Next came the jewelery. Of course, I was getting a staple bar. The jewelery going in the first side was nothing, but it was a bit uncomfortable coming out the other side. Shawn and Erica laughed uncontrollably when I said "Bitchfuck!" out of surprise. There was
no blood at all, so Shawn just screwed on the other ball and I was good to go.
It was surprisingly painless, and it wasn't sore at all afterward. It was a bit red from all the clamping, but nothing other than that. It is now three days after the piercing, it hasn't been sore at all, and there hasn't been any redness. Also, no crusties. So far, this is one of the easiest piercings I've had to care for. I haven't been doing anything special, just alternating between sea salt soaks and then antibacterial soap in the shower, and it's been fine. Normally I just use antibacterial soap for my piercings, but considering this is on the back of my neck, it's a little difficult to clean it with soap unless I'm in the shower. So I've been doing antibacterial soap in the morning when I shower, then a sea salt soak at night before bed.
I couldn't be happier with this piercing. Even though I originally planned on having flat discs instead of beads, the beads aren't a pain in the ass like I thought they'd be. So far, they haven't gotten caught on anything, not even my hair. I love seeing people's reactions to it. Though, the "doesn't that hurt?!" has been happening quite often, which can get quite annoying. Most of my friends were curious about it, and asked how it worked. Others didn't give a shit, and gave me the, "You got ANOTHER piercing?! That's disgusting." attitude. All I can say is they're missing out.
Oh My God
On my 18th birthday my fate was decided, I was going to be a part of the body modification world. I woke up, searched this site with a friend who was buying me a piercing of my choice for my birthday. We spent at least 45 minutes searching the galleries on this site. We were torn between surface piercings or lips piercings. Both of us too afraid of the surface piercing; we decided to put it off until a later date. So off I went to get a vertical labret.
Not more than 3 weeks later I felt guilty for putting off the piercing I had wanted so much, so I withdrew some cash and headed up to Millenium with some friends. Once we were at the studio I spoke with the counterstaff about getting a cleavage piercing done, and my piercer immediately spoke up, stating that a dermal anchor would be better to get placed there. Of course, I had no idea what this was or how it was done, so I began to ask her questions. She explained to me that this piercing was done with a dermal anchor and would be permanent if it healed right, unless I wanted it cut out. I was afraid that a surface bar would reject in the spot, so I was settled on having the dermal anchor. She made sure that I realized the fact that this piercing was pretty much permanent. I filled out the paper work, choose the healing post for the dermal anchor and made my way back to the room. After making sure my ID wasn't fake and entering my information in the database for probably the 5th time, my piercer made her way back to the room and asked if it would be ok if the apprentices and the other piercers could watch as well. She told me that this would be the first client, not co-worker, that she will be doing this procedure on. I agreed as long as my friend could watch as well.
With 8 people packed in the room we began deciding on the placement, we made sure it was centered and went straight down from my vertical labret. It peaks out of the top of my cleavage and we decided on that just in case I decided in the future to add a second one. She sterilized the area after the markings were made, pulled out a 14 gauge tapered hollow needle (I believe, the size is a little hard to remember after so long) straight from the packaging, as well as a dermal anchor. I laid back on the table, and she went over the procedure with me one last time. I took a few deep breaths, started breathing steady and she began. I couldn't see anything, as her hands were in the way, but shortly after she started my friend gasped and screamed "OH MY GOD!" I was slightly concerned, there was a needle puncturing the flesh on my chest and my friend was decently alarmed, I was expecting the worst. The apprentices stared at my chest in awe, which was slightly awkward. It was painful, it hurt just enough to cause an annoyance, but overall it was like being poked in the sternum. She cleaned up the blood, cleaned it again after the blood was wiped off and told me to sit up. I sat up and she fetched me a handheld mirror that I held in front of my chest. The markings were still there on the edge of it, and blood was still seeping out of the edges but I loved it.
After I assured her I loved it, she grabbed the after care brochure for me, starred the things I needed to pay attention to and went over them. (They have a brochure for every type of piercing after care and highlight or star what you need to follow.) She told me to clean it with Satin soap three times daily and that I needed to apply a slight amount of pressure to it, so it settles in the tissue well.
After I slept on the thing I realized that it was going to be a fussy piercing. For the first week, there were small amounts of blood surrounding the piercing; I couldn't seem to sleep on my back for the life of me. Even if I slept on my side, my cleavage basically suffocated it, making it uncomfortable to sleep on my side. It became routine to wake up, brush my teeth, hop in the shower and wet the dried blood before cleaning it gently with the Satin. In fact, I still do it to this day, it has healed nicely but I did have a problem with it when I changed the post to a ball. The ball was too heavy and it stretched out the skin that dermal anchor was under. I had to switch back to a healing post, and re-settle it. I have a little bit of scarring from that, but it is very minimal and almost unnoticeable to the trained eye. Most people don't even notice it at all.
Not more than 3 weeks later I felt guilty for putting off the piercing I had wanted so much, so I withdrew some cash and headed up to Millenium with some friends. Once we were at the studio I spoke with the counterstaff about getting a cleavage piercing done, and my piercer immediately spoke up, stating that a dermal anchor would be better to get placed there. Of course, I had no idea what this was or how it was done, so I began to ask her questions. She explained to me that this piercing was done with a dermal anchor and would be permanent if it healed right, unless I wanted it cut out. I was afraid that a surface bar would reject in the spot, so I was settled on having the dermal anchor. She made sure that I realized the fact that this piercing was pretty much permanent. I filled out the paper work, choose the healing post for the dermal anchor and made my way back to the room. After making sure my ID wasn't fake and entering my information in the database for probably the 5th time, my piercer made her way back to the room and asked if it would be ok if the apprentices and the other piercers could watch as well. She told me that this would be the first client, not co-worker, that she will be doing this procedure on. I agreed as long as my friend could watch as well.
With 8 people packed in the room we began deciding on the placement, we made sure it was centered and went straight down from my vertical labret. It peaks out of the top of my cleavage and we decided on that just in case I decided in the future to add a second one. She sterilized the area after the markings were made, pulled out a 14 gauge tapered hollow needle (I believe, the size is a little hard to remember after so long) straight from the packaging, as well as a dermal anchor. I laid back on the table, and she went over the procedure with me one last time. I took a few deep breaths, started breathing steady and she began. I couldn't see anything, as her hands were in the way, but shortly after she started my friend gasped and screamed "OH MY GOD!" I was slightly concerned, there was a needle puncturing the flesh on my chest and my friend was decently alarmed, I was expecting the worst. The apprentices stared at my chest in awe, which was slightly awkward. It was painful, it hurt just enough to cause an annoyance, but overall it was like being poked in the sternum. She cleaned up the blood, cleaned it again after the blood was wiped off and told me to sit up. I sat up and she fetched me a handheld mirror that I held in front of my chest. The markings were still there on the edge of it, and blood was still seeping out of the edges but I loved it.
After I assured her I loved it, she grabbed the after care brochure for me, starred the things I needed to pay attention to and went over them. (They have a brochure for every type of piercing after care and highlight or star what you need to follow.) She told me to clean it with Satin soap three times daily and that I needed to apply a slight amount of pressure to it, so it settles in the tissue well.
After I slept on the thing I realized that it was going to be a fussy piercing. For the first week, there were small amounts of blood surrounding the piercing; I couldn't seem to sleep on my back for the life of me. Even if I slept on my side, my cleavage basically suffocated it, making it uncomfortable to sleep on my side. It became routine to wake up, brush my teeth, hop in the shower and wet the dried blood before cleaning it gently with the Satin. In fact, I still do it to this day, it has healed nicely but I did have a problem with it when I changed the post to a ball. The ball was too heavy and it stretched out the skin that dermal anchor was under. I had to switch back to a healing post, and re-settle it. I have a little bit of scarring from that, but it is very minimal and almost unnoticeable to the trained eye. Most people don't even notice it at all.
my corset piercing.
So I'm a piercing junkie, always been. For some reason, ever since I was a tiny tot, I've just been fascinated with body art. I started getting pierced when I was 15. My navel was my first piercing ever. After that, I just got hooked. I've pierced just about everything; my septum, sternum, lip, monroe, smiley, ears, hips, collar bones- you name it, I probably had it pierced at some point.
So when I was about 17, I decided I wanted a corset piercing. On my right side to be exact, around my rib area. My idea was that it would consist of eight piercing altogether. Four on each side, with enough room in between them.
I went to the piercing shop where I got my first piercing ever done & told them what I wanted done. Thankfully I got the same piercer, the one who had pierced my navel. She's the sweetest thing and makes you feel totally comfortable and she had lots of experience, which is always a great thing. So we talked about it and she gave me a day to stop by and I did. So the day of the piercing, she explained to me what she was going to do and what not, showed me the hoops and the clamps, cleaned the area, marked me up, blah blah.
She tells me to relax and take a seat, because it would be better if I sat up straight than if I stood up or laid down throughout the procedure. Which I believe she was right, because I really did feel more comfortable that way and I was seated high enough so that she could pierce me without having to bend down or reach up.
She begins by clamping the first one, which is always the part I hate, then she told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and let it out. When I let it out, she stuck the needle through. Luckily, the skin on my rib area is very soft & so the needles would slide right through. It wasn't that bad until we got to like number three. The clamping became unbearable. I don't know why, but it was hurting so much and I honestly couldn't handle it. Though I initially was going in for eight altogether, we ended up just doing six because the pain was becoming that bad. After we were done, she cleaned the area and gave me aftercare instructions and didn't lace me up because she said I should wait til they healed properly so that the lace wouldn't tug and bother me and what not.
So I went home and it was doing fine. Of course my side felt sore for the first few days and I couldn't sleep on that side. But I did clean them thoroughly when I showered with antibacterial soap.
After a few weeks, they started to hurt so bad. Sometimes even the shirts I wore would be a bother, just the fabric on my piercings would hurt. They would bleed and puss a lot and the pain was horrible. But I insisted in giving them a while longer to adjust, hoping they would not reject. But as I know now, hoops are NOT good for surface piercings and can easily reject. Also, the fact that it was on my side wasn't that much of a great idea. When people would hug me, they would rub up on it by mistake, and that was another thing that led to them rejecting.
I ended up taking them out; because of the pain and because one of them was beginning to rip and form a bubble. I really didn't want to remove them, I loved my corset so much, even if I had to endure all this pain. But I knew it had to be done, they were never going to heal properly. And it's not that I regret doing them, because they served as a good learning experience, but I wish I would've taken them out sooner, done more research, & been more cautious. Now I have six ugly scars on my side which are not very appealing.
Any kind of surface piercing has a high rate of rejecting. My hips and collar bones also ended up rejecting, and these were pierced with the staple bars. As for the hips, you know that clothing gets stuck on them, and all the movement around the hip area that is done when we walk or do just about anything doesn't help much. My collar bones rejected because one, when I wear my seat belt when I drive, it would tend to rub up on my left one, and two, I don't know, surface piercings are just that darn sneaky! As for my sternum, it's been my only surface piercing til this day that hasn't rejected. I've had it for about a year and it is doing just fine.
All in all, my whole point is that when doing surface piercings, especially in sensitive areas, one should be very careful. There is a huge chance that they might reject.
So when I was about 17, I decided I wanted a corset piercing. On my right side to be exact, around my rib area. My idea was that it would consist of eight piercing altogether. Four on each side, with enough room in between them.
I went to the piercing shop where I got my first piercing ever done & told them what I wanted done. Thankfully I got the same piercer, the one who had pierced my navel. She's the sweetest thing and makes you feel totally comfortable and she had lots of experience, which is always a great thing. So we talked about it and she gave me a day to stop by and I did. So the day of the piercing, she explained to me what she was going to do and what not, showed me the hoops and the clamps, cleaned the area, marked me up, blah blah.
She tells me to relax and take a seat, because it would be better if I sat up straight than if I stood up or laid down throughout the procedure. Which I believe she was right, because I really did feel more comfortable that way and I was seated high enough so that she could pierce me without having to bend down or reach up.
She begins by clamping the first one, which is always the part I hate, then she told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and let it out. When I let it out, she stuck the needle through. Luckily, the skin on my rib area is very soft & so the needles would slide right through. It wasn't that bad until we got to like number three. The clamping became unbearable. I don't know why, but it was hurting so much and I honestly couldn't handle it. Though I initially was going in for eight altogether, we ended up just doing six because the pain was becoming that bad. After we were done, she cleaned the area and gave me aftercare instructions and didn't lace me up because she said I should wait til they healed properly so that the lace wouldn't tug and bother me and what not.
So I went home and it was doing fine. Of course my side felt sore for the first few days and I couldn't sleep on that side. But I did clean them thoroughly when I showered with antibacterial soap.
After a few weeks, they started to hurt so bad. Sometimes even the shirts I wore would be a bother, just the fabric on my piercings would hurt. They would bleed and puss a lot and the pain was horrible. But I insisted in giving them a while longer to adjust, hoping they would not reject. But as I know now, hoops are NOT good for surface piercings and can easily reject. Also, the fact that it was on my side wasn't that much of a great idea. When people would hug me, they would rub up on it by mistake, and that was another thing that led to them rejecting.
I ended up taking them out; because of the pain and because one of them was beginning to rip and form a bubble. I really didn't want to remove them, I loved my corset so much, even if I had to endure all this pain. But I knew it had to be done, they were never going to heal properly. And it's not that I regret doing them, because they served as a good learning experience, but I wish I would've taken them out sooner, done more research, & been more cautious. Now I have six ugly scars on my side which are not very appealing.
Any kind of surface piercing has a high rate of rejecting. My hips and collar bones also ended up rejecting, and these were pierced with the staple bars. As for the hips, you know that clothing gets stuck on them, and all the movement around the hip area that is done when we walk or do just about anything doesn't help much. My collar bones rejected because one, when I wear my seat belt when I drive, it would tend to rub up on my left one, and two, I don't know, surface piercings are just that darn sneaky! As for my sternum, it's been my only surface piercing til this day that hasn't rejected. I've had it for about a year and it is doing just fine.
All in all, my whole point is that when doing surface piercings, especially in sensitive areas, one should be very careful. There is a huge chance that they might reject.
the lazy persons necklace.
I am an incredibly lazy person – so lazy, in fact, that the act of accessorizing is something I just cannot be bothered with. Putting on and taking off dangly jewelry everyday just does not appeal to me. Still, I love that little extra sparkle.
This is why I decided to get my 2 clavicle surface bars. I had been thinking about them for years. When I had first decided I really wanted them, they were illegal in Massachusetts. I read up on them a bit and even though I knew there was a high rejection rate I decided I didn't care. I'd still be happy to end up with a pair of scars.
Fast forward two or so years to last weekend; the Boston tattoo convention. I just stopped by for the day to check out my roommates who were both tattooing and being tattooed. The last time I had gone to the convention I ended up just walking around and getting nothing done – needless to say I left feeling very unsatisfied. I decided that could not happen this year. So I asked around a bit and found out that Ryan Oulette, of Precision Body Arts in NH, who actually had been recommended to me the very day before! It just worked out too perfectly and after walking around in circles for about an hour, and a sandwich, I finally went over to the Precision Body Arts stand to get marked and pierced.
Normally when I get a new piercing I get very nervous. I was a tiny bit, but for some reason I wasn't shaky or anxious like I usually get. My friend with me was more nervous then I was, and when Ryan told her she couldn't hold my hand because he needed to move around me a bit, I thought she was going to pass out.
Ryan took a good amount of time to place and mark where my new bars were going to be. At first they were a bit high so he moved them down and then he had me lay on the table. There was a lot going on but I was able to focus on the really neat window on the ceiling and that helped bring me into the moment. I really enjoy the rush that I get from being pierced, and I was preparing myself for serious pain. Ryan prepped everything and then pinched my skin between his fingers and told me to breathe.
I didn't even feel the needle go in. I didn't feel the jewelry either. And I didn't feel him screw on the discs. He asked me if I was doing ok, if I needed a moment. I explained to him that I was mildly disappointed.
"I can f*ck up real bad on the next one if you want." You gotta love piercer humor. It's always about hurting you.
The second bar actually hurt a bit. It immediately started bleeding and he had to wait a minute before he pulled the bar through. Once it was done I felt fine. He cleaned me up and sent me on my way with an instruction sheet, a bottle of h2ocean, and a big smile.
So far they have been great. Its been about 4 days and there has been no swelling, and they're barely even red. The only thing I have noticed is that today they're starting to get a bit itchy! Overall they were my least painful piercings, and so far least painful healing.
I absolutely love them.
--Ten Days Later--
My new piercings feel great. Sometimes they would get a bit stingy, but only for a second or two. They are a bit red around the holes still, but not sore or tender. When Ryan told me that I would start to feel them "loosen up" I didn't understand what he meant. They are almost wiggly, but not in a way that I feel like they are going to shift drastically or anything. All in all, I'm really happy with how they have been progressing. And I have to say that they are the lowest maintenance piercing I have ever had. They were pretty itchy there for a while, but i haven't noticed any kind of fluid or crust at all. Sometimes if i sleep on them they get a little uncomfortable, but that is my own fault. My favorite part about them, besides that they are so gorgeous and lined up so nicely, is the way the bar feels under my skin. I haven't really allowed myself to play with them yet, but just running my finger over them is really interesting.
People's reactions are very different than my other piercings. I have had ONE person actually say "Those are pretty!".
Everyone else gives me that whole "OH MY GOD THAT MUST HAVE HURT!" Or just the "...Why?". I don't mind it though, i just find it strange that no one is weird about my medusa, yet they see the clavicles and think it's insane.
Photos and updates to come soon!
This is why I decided to get my 2 clavicle surface bars. I had been thinking about them for years. When I had first decided I really wanted them, they were illegal in Massachusetts. I read up on them a bit and even though I knew there was a high rejection rate I decided I didn't care. I'd still be happy to end up with a pair of scars.
Fast forward two or so years to last weekend; the Boston tattoo convention. I just stopped by for the day to check out my roommates who were both tattooing and being tattooed. The last time I had gone to the convention I ended up just walking around and getting nothing done – needless to say I left feeling very unsatisfied. I decided that could not happen this year. So I asked around a bit and found out that Ryan Oulette, of Precision Body Arts in NH, who actually had been recommended to me the very day before! It just worked out too perfectly and after walking around in circles for about an hour, and a sandwich, I finally went over to the Precision Body Arts stand to get marked and pierced.
Normally when I get a new piercing I get very nervous. I was a tiny bit, but for some reason I wasn't shaky or anxious like I usually get. My friend with me was more nervous then I was, and when Ryan told her she couldn't hold my hand because he needed to move around me a bit, I thought she was going to pass out.
Ryan took a good amount of time to place and mark where my new bars were going to be. At first they were a bit high so he moved them down and then he had me lay on the table. There was a lot going on but I was able to focus on the really neat window on the ceiling and that helped bring me into the moment. I really enjoy the rush that I get from being pierced, and I was preparing myself for serious pain. Ryan prepped everything and then pinched my skin between his fingers and told me to breathe.
I didn't even feel the needle go in. I didn't feel the jewelry either. And I didn't feel him screw on the discs. He asked me if I was doing ok, if I needed a moment. I explained to him that I was mildly disappointed.
"I can f*ck up real bad on the next one if you want." You gotta love piercer humor. It's always about hurting you.
The second bar actually hurt a bit. It immediately started bleeding and he had to wait a minute before he pulled the bar through. Once it was done I felt fine. He cleaned me up and sent me on my way with an instruction sheet, a bottle of h2ocean, and a big smile.
So far they have been great. Its been about 4 days and there has been no swelling, and they're barely even red. The only thing I have noticed is that today they're starting to get a bit itchy! Overall they were my least painful piercings, and so far least painful healing.
I absolutely love them.
--Ten Days Later--
My new piercings feel great. Sometimes they would get a bit stingy, but only for a second or two. They are a bit red around the holes still, but not sore or tender. When Ryan told me that I would start to feel them "loosen up" I didn't understand what he meant. They are almost wiggly, but not in a way that I feel like they are going to shift drastically or anything. All in all, I'm really happy with how they have been progressing. And I have to say that they are the lowest maintenance piercing I have ever had. They were pretty itchy there for a while, but i haven't noticed any kind of fluid or crust at all. Sometimes if i sleep on them they get a little uncomfortable, but that is my own fault. My favorite part about them, besides that they are so gorgeous and lined up so nicely, is the way the bar feels under my skin. I haven't really allowed myself to play with them yet, but just running my finger over them is really interesting.
People's reactions are very different than my other piercings. I have had ONE person actually say "Those are pretty!".
Everyone else gives me that whole "OH MY GOD THAT MUST HAVE HURT!" Or just the "...Why?". I don't mind it though, i just find it strange that no one is weird about my medusa, yet they see the clavicles and think it's insane.
Photos and updates to come soon!
On the Surface My Experience with Microdermals
After learning about Microdermals and seeing a few examples in my Piercer's portfolio I decided I would like some. The only issue was the location, I work in a kitchen so hands and arms were out of the question and I paddle a Kayak so legs were out too. I thought about the Nape but I need to mostly sleep on my back because my ears are still toughening up from having dermal punches to the Outer Conches. After discussions with my Piercer and a bit of thinking I decided I'd like two on each side of my face, next to my eyes.
Having had a number of "regular" piercings and two 8mm Dermal Punches done by Hugh I have found I can trust him to take almost full control, he still runs things by me but I trust his judgment as the professional. He has not let me down.
Hugh measured up the location; he explained to me that he'd like to have an equal distance from each eye to the first anchor, the second anchor and my hairline. It took a lot of measuring, marking, wiping off marks and marking again before we were both satisfied that the placement was perfect. Once satisfied we began the procedure.
I watched as the jewellery and needles were removed from the autoclave bags and dropped (without being touched) onto the sterile work surface. As soon as the equipment and jewellery were out, Hugh changed from latex examination gloves to sterile surgical gloves, something he does for every procedure.
The jewellery was 14ga Titanium, I don't think the material varies with Microdermals but I could be wrong. We used flat discs with the plan to change to gem attachments when the healing is done. A 10ga blade needle was used, Hugh explained that some people use dermal punches but he preferred the needle.
I had said to Hugh that I'd like to be able to see what he was doing so he arranged for another staff member to come in and take photos. As a bonus I was able to watch with a hand mirror. I am extremely curious about the procedures that I go through for mods; I like to know everything that is happening so to be able to watch was amazing. I watched as the needles went in and then as the jewellery followed, each time making a "pop" as the leg of the Microdermal made its way in to its new home. The two Microdermals closest to my eyes hurt the most but didn't bleed as much as the outer two; I had been warned that I might bleed a fair bit so I wasn't concerned.
The procedure was fairly painful, it is hard to compare to another type of piercing because it is so different but immediately after the procedure and up until two hours later when I'd had some ibuprofen it felt as though I'd been punched in both sides of the head. After about two days the pain had subsided to the point where it only hurt at all if I closed my eyes too tightly. I guess it would have hurt to have knocked them but that didn't happen.
I had to keep putting tape on them for the first three days, I assume this is so they would have time to settle in and not move. Taking the tape off to clean is tricky because you have to pull it off while holding the anchors down. I mastered the art and managed three days without inflicting any damage.
One of the Microdermal locations bruised ever so slightly, it was only visible on an enlarged photo. I understood the possibility of bruising was quite high and was expecting more, especially with the two that bled a lot.
Now, a week later they're settled in, definitely not healed but settled in. They don't hurt when I close my eyes tightly and I forget they are there. Sleeping on them is not an issue, the location is not one that takes on a lot of pressure and I'm already being very careful because of my Outer Conches.
I've had to be careful when wiping my eyes as I used to wipe them outwards, especially in the shower and that's not possible any more. I also have to be careful at work when I'm with the children and with my 20 month old nephew. Sometimes they accidentally hit but often they are just curious and aim a finger. I am getting better at predicting their movements. I have also learnt to be careful where I stick my head as I can't afford to bump them.
Overall I'm very impressed with the Microdermals and of course the work of the artist. The little bit of pain and discomfort was well worth it. I'm looking forward to them being healed so I can change the plain discs to some nice gems.
Having had a number of "regular" piercings and two 8mm Dermal Punches done by Hugh I have found I can trust him to take almost full control, he still runs things by me but I trust his judgment as the professional. He has not let me down.
Hugh measured up the location; he explained to me that he'd like to have an equal distance from each eye to the first anchor, the second anchor and my hairline. It took a lot of measuring, marking, wiping off marks and marking again before we were both satisfied that the placement was perfect. Once satisfied we began the procedure.
I watched as the jewellery and needles were removed from the autoclave bags and dropped (without being touched) onto the sterile work surface. As soon as the equipment and jewellery were out, Hugh changed from latex examination gloves to sterile surgical gloves, something he does for every procedure.
The jewellery was 14ga Titanium, I don't think the material varies with Microdermals but I could be wrong. We used flat discs with the plan to change to gem attachments when the healing is done. A 10ga blade needle was used, Hugh explained that some people use dermal punches but he preferred the needle.
I had said to Hugh that I'd like to be able to see what he was doing so he arranged for another staff member to come in and take photos. As a bonus I was able to watch with a hand mirror. I am extremely curious about the procedures that I go through for mods; I like to know everything that is happening so to be able to watch was amazing. I watched as the needles went in and then as the jewellery followed, each time making a "pop" as the leg of the Microdermal made its way in to its new home. The two Microdermals closest to my eyes hurt the most but didn't bleed as much as the outer two; I had been warned that I might bleed a fair bit so I wasn't concerned.
The procedure was fairly painful, it is hard to compare to another type of piercing because it is so different but immediately after the procedure and up until two hours later when I'd had some ibuprofen it felt as though I'd been punched in both sides of the head. After about two days the pain had subsided to the point where it only hurt at all if I closed my eyes too tightly. I guess it would have hurt to have knocked them but that didn't happen.
I had to keep putting tape on them for the first three days, I assume this is so they would have time to settle in and not move. Taking the tape off to clean is tricky because you have to pull it off while holding the anchors down. I mastered the art and managed three days without inflicting any damage.
One of the Microdermal locations bruised ever so slightly, it was only visible on an enlarged photo. I understood the possibility of bruising was quite high and was expecting more, especially with the two that bled a lot.
Now, a week later they're settled in, definitely not healed but settled in. They don't hurt when I close my eyes tightly and I forget they are there. Sleeping on them is not an issue, the location is not one that takes on a lot of pressure and I'm already being very careful because of my Outer Conches.
I've had to be careful when wiping my eyes as I used to wipe them outwards, especially in the shower and that's not possible any more. I also have to be careful at work when I'm with the children and with my 20 month old nephew. Sometimes they accidentally hit but often they are just curious and aim a finger. I am getting better at predicting their movements. I have also learnt to be careful where I stick my head as I can't afford to bump them.
Overall I'm very impressed with the Microdermals and of course the work of the artist. The little bit of pain and discomfort was well worth it. I'm looking forward to them being healed so I can change the plain discs to some nice gems.
My First Dermal Anchors
So it's been approximately 24 hours since I got my first microdermals/dermal anchors done and I am a little sore but oh, so in love with them already! But I'll start from the beginning.
I've been getting random piercings since I was legally able (18 years old). In total, I have had 10 piercings although only 6 are still alive today. Ever since my first piercing I though to myself "Wouldn't it be nice if someone could come up with a way to just... set something under the skin... so you could have a gem that just sits on your skin?" Of course you can achieve this same look temporarily with some kind of stick-on but where is the fun in that?
Not being a jewelry maker there really wasn't much that I could do except wait. It was bound to happen.
Finally, it did! And I believe that I waited just the right amount of time after the first (scary looking) prototypes were perfected to the foot-like anchors that piercers are using today.
A few days ago my boyfriend went away for work. This usually means that I get bored. Quickly. So I decided to finally go ahead and get, or at least look into getting, the microdermals in my chest that I have been wanting for so long. I feel better having a buddy when I get pierced so I asked a friend to go with me and she agreed.
Yesterday was the big day. I picked up my pal and we headed to the piercing parlor (Agaru Tattoo in Wilmington, DE). I previously got my VCH done at this parlor so, although the specific piercer was no longer working there, I felt comfortable going to this shop as I had had a really great experience the first time. We arrived and went into the shop (even though the sign said "CLOSED"... they knew I was coming). I spoke with the owner, Tommy, who agreed to two-fer deal with me because I had been one of the first to ask about dermal anchors over a year ago. He then called Brian, the piercer, who headed on his way over from their second shop.
After Brian arrived I asked to see his portfolio which he was happy to show me and then asked him what his procedure was like, what kind of jewelry they use, how many he had done.. etc. He was really patient and nice and gave me all the info that I asked for. I had been a little nervous before I got to the studio (as always happens) but after speaking with Brian I felt really good about going ahead and getting the dermals done.
Brian and I came up with a placement for the two dermals horizontally on my chest. Took probably 5 minutes or so to get the right placement because it was a little difficult placement to get symmetrical. Then I sat in the chair. My friend decided to watch. Good for her! I couldn't see anyway but it was better that way.
Unfortunately for me, my skin was really tight on my chest so Brian had to massage and pull (kinda painfully) on my skin to separate it from the tissue underneath so he could get a good pinch. Honestly, that was probably the worst part of the whole deal. Then we did the normal routine; Take a deep breath... exhale slowly.. needle goes in at a 90 degree angle then over... needle comes out then back in the opposite end... forceps with jewelry attached is pushed and popped into place! The pain was totally bearable (as opposed to a couple of my previous piercings during which I cried out or whatever). After making sure the first one was doing well we did the same with the second (right side). The pain on the right side was a little bit more than on the left and he had to go back in quickly with the needle to make the hole slightly deeper but by that time my endorphins were kicking in and I felt nothing.
Then it was done! He took a couple of photos for his portfolio and we were all set! My friend said after watching me get mine done she was seriously thinking about getting one .. but she was sick with tonsillitis so not really a good idea to get pierced while you're ill. Anyway, I paid up, spoke with Brian and Tommy for a couple more minutes and then was on my way!
It was an awesome experience, the pain was just fine, and the piercings look great. I'll be heading back as soon as the first two heal sufficiently to get a third one between them. I think microdermals are a really great idea and I'm glad I waited to get mine done. Hopefully I'll get a chance to write about my 3rd microdermal within the next 12 months!
I've been getting random piercings since I was legally able (18 years old). In total, I have had 10 piercings although only 6 are still alive today. Ever since my first piercing I though to myself "Wouldn't it be nice if someone could come up with a way to just... set something under the skin... so you could have a gem that just sits on your skin?" Of course you can achieve this same look temporarily with some kind of stick-on but where is the fun in that?
Not being a jewelry maker there really wasn't much that I could do except wait. It was bound to happen.
Finally, it did! And I believe that I waited just the right amount of time after the first (scary looking) prototypes were perfected to the foot-like anchors that piercers are using today.
A few days ago my boyfriend went away for work. This usually means that I get bored. Quickly. So I decided to finally go ahead and get, or at least look into getting, the microdermals in my chest that I have been wanting for so long. I feel better having a buddy when I get pierced so I asked a friend to go with me and she agreed.
Yesterday was the big day. I picked up my pal and we headed to the piercing parlor (Agaru Tattoo in Wilmington, DE). I previously got my VCH done at this parlor so, although the specific piercer was no longer working there, I felt comfortable going to this shop as I had had a really great experience the first time. We arrived and went into the shop (even though the sign said "CLOSED"... they knew I was coming). I spoke with the owner, Tommy, who agreed to two-fer deal with me because I had been one of the first to ask about dermal anchors over a year ago. He then called Brian, the piercer, who headed on his way over from their second shop.
After Brian arrived I asked to see his portfolio which he was happy to show me and then asked him what his procedure was like, what kind of jewelry they use, how many he had done.. etc. He was really patient and nice and gave me all the info that I asked for. I had been a little nervous before I got to the studio (as always happens) but after speaking with Brian I felt really good about going ahead and getting the dermals done.
Brian and I came up with a placement for the two dermals horizontally on my chest. Took probably 5 minutes or so to get the right placement because it was a little difficult placement to get symmetrical. Then I sat in the chair. My friend decided to watch. Good for her! I couldn't see anyway but it was better that way.
Unfortunately for me, my skin was really tight on my chest so Brian had to massage and pull (kinda painfully) on my skin to separate it from the tissue underneath so he could get a good pinch. Honestly, that was probably the worst part of the whole deal. Then we did the normal routine; Take a deep breath... exhale slowly.. needle goes in at a 90 degree angle then over... needle comes out then back in the opposite end... forceps with jewelry attached is pushed and popped into place! The pain was totally bearable (as opposed to a couple of my previous piercings during which I cried out or whatever). After making sure the first one was doing well we did the same with the second (right side). The pain on the right side was a little bit more than on the left and he had to go back in quickly with the needle to make the hole slightly deeper but by that time my endorphins were kicking in and I felt nothing.
Then it was done! He took a couple of photos for his portfolio and we were all set! My friend said after watching me get mine done she was seriously thinking about getting one .. but she was sick with tonsillitis so not really a good idea to get pierced while you're ill. Anyway, I paid up, spoke with Brian and Tommy for a couple more minutes and then was on my way!
It was an awesome experience, the pain was just fine, and the piercings look great. I'll be heading back as soon as the first two heal sufficiently to get a third one between them. I think microdermals are a really great idea and I'm glad I waited to get mine done. Hopefully I'll get a chance to write about my 3rd microdermal within the next 12 months!
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