Hey, my name is Kasey and I'm 17 years old... also an alcoholic (just kidding).
At A Glance Author Kasey Contact Kasey@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Cool piercer with a cowboy hat Studio Adrenaline Location Montreal Ok- so I felt the need to share this experience with others because I went into my lip piercing without any consolation or helpful tips from anyone. I figure- there's gotta be others out there like me: people who freak out for stupid reasons and psyche themselves up for piercings... right?
Anyway, this all started a little less than two years ago when I saw Linkin Park's first music video and fell in love with them (yes...this does relate to my experience greatly :) Anyway, the lead singer Chester had this gorgeous lip ring on him and I fell in love with it- I just HAD to have one. This, of course, was coming from the girl who had never even had her ears pierced- let alone another part of the body.
The year passed by and I finally got my ears pierced for the first time- and just to show you how stupid I can be, I'll quickly sum my freaking out. I was so scared for my fucking first holes that I was mumbling to myself and my friends laughed at me. Safe to say, it didn't even pinch.
As the second year went on (2 new sets of holes in my ears) I began to crave the lip ring even more. I would walk around my house with a fake one on and love the feel of the weight on my lip. My boyfriend even joked that I was being a "poser" because I didn't actually have one. There was only one thing stopping me: High School. I had to graduate before I could get it done because my school (a private school...*sigh*) didn't allow facial piercings. I was so sad because even though the days were diminishing before I could officially get one, waiting for something you want so much feels like such utter pain.
Finally I graduated and now could pierce my lip; however, I began to think about how much it would hurt. So instead of doing the smart thing and actually getting it done, I panicked and put it off till after I went to camp. Needless to say, I just got back and decided that there were no more excuses: I was going to suck it up and do it.
Well, this afternoon (really yesterday because it's 1 am now), I went into this great Tattoo and Piercing parlor called "Adrenaline" (which I HIGHLY recommend if anyone lives in Montreal or will be visiting) and chose a ring with a black bead. I brought my good friend along with me (for mental support) and filled out the forms etc. before taking a seat on a couch to wait my turn. While on the couch, I began to panic again. "What if it REALLY hurts?" I thought out loud, to which my friend replied "Cartilage piercings hurt more, dude." as she pointed at her Tragus piercing. I was super nervous and started to sweat. I only really calmed down when the piercer came out and I recognized him as the one who had pierced my friend's various body parts in the past- he is an awesome guy and I wish I knew his name. He smiled at me (with his double lip rings on either side of his mouth) and said "Don't worry about it- you'll be fine and it's going to look great on you."
I stepped into the room with huge glass windows (so friends outside could see what was going on), and took a seat. My friend held my hand at first but I decided to let go because if it did hurt, I probably would have ripped her arm off. The cool guy with the cowboy hat (piercer) gave me the mouthwash and went through the different things I could and couldn't do for a while with this piercing. I had pretty much researched all of it on my own previously so I knew about the cons of smoking, oral sex, milk (as it harbors bacteria) etc. As he placed the clamp on my lip (after pinpointing the area with a special ink thingy) I surprisingly was not nervous at all (though I was sweating). He said "Ok, now we're going to do a breathing exercise. Just take a deep breath in and out". As stupid as I am, I knew he was going to push the long, moderately wide needle through my lip when I breathed out. Just the same, I did it and clenched my eyes: after a tight pinch, he was done sticking it through. I was like- that's IT? I worked myself for THAT? Best of all, he told me to stand up and look in the mirror with the needle still in: it looked so cool with just the needle!! I was surprised- and I'm thinking maybe I'll put something in like it later on.
He finished up, put the ring and bead in place, and then I looked at the finished product: wow- I have never been happier in my life! I've wanted this piercing for 2 years now and now that I have it I feel so good. The ring feels like it was always meant to be there and though it's a little sore (not that bad, actually), it is well worth it.
For anyone who reads this because they're afraid of lip rings and the pain factor- don't be. It doesn't hurt AT ALL and in fact, actually makes you feel better once you get it. This is one the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Please, if you're wanting a lip ring but are afraid to do it: don't be, because the tiny pinch you feel is absolutely nothing anyone can't handle. Lip rings rock so much!
I'm so happy I got it done and I intend to take super good care of it! I hope everyone who wants one goes through with it. :)