Well, pain has never really phased me when it came to piercings. Of course, all I've had done were 3 in each ear lobe, and 2 in my left cartilage... So when it came to getting my bellybutton done, I was a bit apprehensive.
At A Glance Author Noelle Contact nacsassy@aol.com When Six months ago Artist Jen Studio Unity Location Orlando, FL So I went to Unity and had talked to the girl (Jen) who did the piercings... She had run me through the procedure (cleansing, marking, clamping, and piercing)... and I was still nervous as hell. So I went back outside, got in the car, and drove around for about 15 minutes. I was contemplating this big time.
I then came to the conclusion 'now or never', and went back to Unity. Jen was very friendly, and so was her boyfriend (he did the tattoos)... He was just leaving, and he had told me that there was nothing to worry about.
I had first wanted to be pierced with a barbell, but they only did piercings with captives, so that's what I ended up with (which I was quite happy with in the long run)... There was a long string of beads, of all different colors to fasten the captive. I looked, and at first was going to choose turquoise... But then, I spotted it. The hematite (onyx) bead... And I knew I had to have it...
So I watched as Jen sterilized all of the tools, and I sat in a bright candy apple red piercing chair. She came over, and cleaned me... Then she marked the top and bottom of my navel as to where the needle will go... I stood up, and looked in the mirror and smiled. I layed back down, and she took the clamps... We had went through about 5 rubberbands before none had broken, and she told me 'I want you to breathe in, on the count of three exhale, and I'll pierce you.' She was very patient and nice, (which was a very nice thing to have)... one, two, three *exhales*... and I just felt pressure... Like someone pinching me... But not painfully... I had figured it was still the clamps, and asked 'are you going to do it?'... she replied 'all done, now all i have to do is put your ring in.'... That just felt like pulling... I had done it! I was so excited!
It didn't hurt at all, except for the first night when I was trying to sleep. It seemed every whcih way I turned, even if it wasn't touching the piercing, it somehow contracted the skin and it stung... But after that, things were great. Only problems were the pussing... That was pretty gross, but I got over it. I cleansed the piercing with a gel-like medical cleanser with water... and slid the hoop back and forth each time to clean it fully... I did this until I ran out of cleanser... The piercing had just gotten crusty around it, and it still pussed. I would always pick at it though, because I hate that dirty feeling... Changing rings was great though... It bled the first time a little bit... But not after that... I had bought about five different rings for myself... I had a silver barbell with a diamond star at the end and it had three stars hanging from it, then I bought a Playboy barbell which I learned was really painful to wear, so I didn't all that much. I had a plain silver barbell, and then a silver barbell with pink rhinestones in it. I love buying body jewelry. It's just such a neat thing to see all of the different designs and styles you can get. (Especially for someone who likes to shop as much as I do!)
Recently, however, I had noticed the outer skin on my piercing getting smaller and smaller... I was getting a little worried as it kept shrinking... This had been going on for about a month though, so I had figured it was just still healing... But, it kept getting worse... I then decided to take out my ring, and eventually, the skin that had been thinning, broke through in the shower. I now have a small dent in my stomach where the piercing had been, and it's red. But according to my cousin, (who this happened to) I can just get it repierced and the dent will go away... I'm severely allergic to nickel, so I guess my body was just pushing something new out of it.. I don't know... But it sure was depressing. So I will be going within the next few weeks to get it repierced, my ears guaged, and something new in my ear(s)... Not quite sure what yet.. I was thinking about an industrial... But I just don't know. Any ideas? e-mail me =)
And that's my story.