I'm trying to tell as many people as possible, so that this doesn't happen to you too. I wouldn't want anyone to have this kind of experience. So here's my story...
At A Glance Author Morgan Contact ashcyoder@aim.com When A week ago Artist Blue Studio Mad Studios Location Peoria, Illinois
I went to Mad Studios with my friend off of North University in Peoria, Illinois. She told me that she got her tongue done there so I thought it would be safe. I was very wrong. Here's a tip: Don't go somewhere to get work done just just because one person tells you its alright. I went there and had to wait about an hour and a half because the guy was busy tattooing someone. So my friend and I sat there waiting and waiting. I gave theme my drivers license so they'd have a copy and signed the papers and what not. Then it was finally my turn.
He lays the chair back, told me to lay back, and lift my shirt. So I did. He cleaned it very quickly and then took the needle out of the package...laid it down...took the clamp and then it was done before I knew it. And just to let everyone know...it hurt. Really bad. More than it would have anyone else and I'll tell you why later. So he gives me care instructsions and sends me on my way. Word of advice...no matter what anyone says...only put Bactine spray on body piercings. No soaps, no neosporin, none of that. Neosporin is too waxy and doesnt let the piercing get the oxygen it needs to heal. As for the soap, I suppose its supposed to be common sense. So I get home and about an hour later...it bled and bled and bled. I'd wipe the blood away every few seconds and eventually it stopped. Another tip: Don't rotate a fresh piercing when its dry and try not to touch it as much as possible. And 2 days later it looked infected and I wanted to go and get a few opinions. And So I did. I went to a friend of mine in Pekin,IL. who has a piercing and tattoo place. I showed it to him and he told me that it was pierced too shallow. And that if i didnt take it out now, it would migrate completely out of my skin in less than a month. And that it would leave a section right down the middle where there would be no skin. I was mortified. The thought of that even happening to me left chills down my spine. I was very scared at this point.
I went to get other opinions, they all told me the same thing, (the places I went to, "Im no angel, "The Ink Stop"...they are other local places) so I went back to my friend in Pekin. He took it out for me. He was very gentle and really cares about his clients. When he removed it, he showed me the ring where it was discolored in my skin and that it wasnt the right metal. He also showed me that the size wasnt correct either. And showed me how big they are supposed to be. And they were much bigger. And as to why it hurt so bad, he didnt even use the right needle. He used the cheap ones that are sharp on one side, dull on the other. When they're supposed to be sharp on both. So it was really painful. By this time, I was very upset. He told me that it costs $29.00 in materials just to pierce a belly button everytime. That if you go into any place (like Mad Studios charged me 20.00) and its really cheap or something doesnt feel right, walk out.
So I called Mad Studios and asked to speak to the manager and told them the story. They were all furious and said that if I came out there, they would take a look at it and we would all work it out. It sounded very reassuring. So I went and showed Blue (the guy that pierced me) and his exact words were: "theres nothing wrong with that. piss off!" He continued to disrespect me by telling me whoever told me that it wasnt okay can go and suck "donkey dick". I told him 2 very short words "F OFF" and left. I couldn't believe he talked to me and treated me the way that he did with other customers right behind me. But I really couldnt believe my experience.
Im going to go and get my belly button redone soon. Its almost completely healed up already. So for all piercings and tattoos, I recommend going to John at Psychedelic Sights. He's super nice, knows what he's doing, and does some really amazing work. Don't let this happen to you...go to a different place.
"Note: Bactine should not be used on puncture wounds. Piercings are puncture wounds. Please refer to the Aftercare section of BME's Wiki for more information."