For the last 3-4 years I have contemplated getting an industrial. Not contemplated... yearned. I spent hours and hours looking at pictures (here and elsewhere), reading personal accounts and researching the actual procedure: what to expect; how it's done; how much it will cost; how long it will take to heal. I even stopped by the local tattoo shop where I would most likely (and did) get it done to ask some questions about it.
At A Glance Author T-Snake Contact T-Snake@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Rob Dix Studio Yankee Tattoo Location Burlington, VT For the first year, the concern was more about the cost of one and wondering how much it might hurt. I have a HIGH pain threshold (built up from years of dislocating my shoulder and putting it back in myself, in the dojo), but some stories I had read made me wonder how much pain it really was, some said hardly any, others "the worst I've ever had". Then springtime came and I had signed up for motorcycle training. I wrote to a submitter here about her experience and thoughts about sliding a helmet on with a fresh industrial. "Probably not a good idea". I took the advice. Getting my motorcycle license was more important than a couple more holes in my head (I only had 4 left lobe and 2 right lobe piercings).
I figured then that perhaps the coming winter would be a good time, let it heal over the winter when the bike is put away. For some reason, I just didn't get around to doing it.
Last summer, wanting to get something done, but knowing I couldn't do the industrial yet, I purchased a pair of 12g CBRs to put in the lower two holes in my left lobe. Keep in mind, I had all my previous piercings done at stupid mall shops (Claire's, etc.) so they were standard small holes. For training I had been wearing my "seemless" gold hoops pushed through so that the hoop itself was in the hole, not the wire. (I guess this could be another story) When the CBRs showed up, I spent about 3 hours trying to lube my ear and stretch it so that they could slide in. FUTILE. Eventually, I gave up and called two local parlors to ask what they'd charge for tapering. One was $10 PER HOLE, the other said he'd do both for $10. Good enough. I walked down to get the deed done. Yowza! THAT stung. For close to two weeks my lobe burned.
Finally, last December (2004) the last day before the winter (xmas) work holiday, I worked from home (December 21, 2004 to be specific). I also decided, I'm doing it. I sort of warned my wife that I might do it, but she really thought I wouldn't go through with it. She thinks I'm funny for wanting to do stuff like this. I walked downtown, past the parlor to get other things done first, in case it DID hurt too much and I wanted to just go home and lay down after. So on the way home I stop in and head to the "front desk" of Yankee Tattoo.
"I'm here to get an industrial"
"Ok, fill out this form."
Honestly, I expected more discussion from the guy, but I didn't need it, so I was ok. I filled out the release form and took the aftercare instructions to a chair and read them while waiting.
Within a couple minutes, Rob beckons me into the front room where a medical chair is set up in a very clean white room. He asks what side I want it on and talks me through what he will be doing. Fresh gloves on and the piercing rod, end balls and barbell soaking in something in a glass. I ask what gauge the barbell is. A 14g. I figured it would be a 12g, so I acted a little surprised. He said something smaller might migrate out. In hindsight, I wonder if he meant smaller in size or smaller in gauge number. Ooops. I should have realized and clarified to say that if a 12g would be fine, I'd rather go with that. I had read that 14g or 12g are the typical sizes. Much fatter and it won't fit in most ears, much thinner and it'll migrate out. I also asked about the threading. They use externally threaded bars. I wasn't excited about that. He did offer to order whatever I would want if I wanted, but I was not going to wait over something to menial.
He asked if I want a more horizontal position or angled. I wanted more angled. He drew a line on my ear to approximate how it will sit and showed me in a mirror for approval.
I rest on my back and he talks me through everything he does. He tells me to take a deep breath and exhale... pushes the first end through. It didn't hurt. I was shocked! With 100% honesty... it hurts me more when I get jabbed when giving blood! I think he asked how I was doing. I replied something about "better than expected".
He requests the next deep breath and exhalation and pushes through the other side. It felt pretty much the same. He then explained he'd be sliding the bar in. I wasn't then, and not now, sure how the dead is done, I wish I had someone there to take pix of the process... oops. But I assume he put the end of the bar to the end of the "piercing" rod and pushed/lead it through. The threads on the bar did give a good deal more "pain" that the initial piercing, but not enough that *I* would actually call it pain. Discomfort would be all.
He put the ball ends on and backed off. I asked if it's ok if I sit up and he said if I *can* it's cool. I sit up and check it in the mirror.. I'm happy.
I spend about 5 more minutes chatting with him to make sure I know what care stuff I have to do with it and what product I should pick up (Simply Saline and Dial Complete, Antibacterial soap, the pump style) were all I really needed to pick up. I leave the parlor very happy, and still very surprised at how little pain there is. I go to the drug store to pick up the maintenance stuff.
It's now been almost two full months. I have meticulously done my cleaning process twice every single day and things are going great. I have been able to relatively comfortably sleep on it for about a month, but it still doesn't move freely in the holes, so when I accidentally gets jarred, like when I rest my head against the back of the couch, I get a jolt. Oh well. I haven't tried on my motorcycle helmet yet to see how that feels.. lazy I guess, but I'm sure it'll be more than plenty fine by the time riding season returns to the cold northeast.
Anyway. My only real concerns had to do with getting keloids or some other deformation of the ear. I've only got a small bump on the inside back of the ear, but I do believe it's normal. It's not red or messy.. and if I recall correctly, Rob said there would likely be a small formation for a while.
I am so happy I did this, finally. If not for the tremendous expected healing time in doing these cartilage piercings, I'd likely get some other alternative versions or crossovers, but sacrificing relative comfort in the motorcycle helmet and while sleeping for too long is a little too much. Next plans are to stretch the right lobe piercings to match the 12g of the bottom two on the left. Of course, I also need to plan the design for my first ink... but I'm in no rush.
I'll get a picture or two up soon too.