Piercing Piercing Experiences Ears Indurstial Piercing

I had decided as soon as I had gotten my lip done (my very first piercing), that I needed more. I have always loved the look of most piercings, which made it difficult to make up my mind, but I finally decided on an industrial. Now, just too clear things up, I am *terrified* of needles- various vaccinations and my lip piercing experience have lead to almost blacking out, nausea, etc... which is very unfortunate, considering how interested I am in body modifications. However, after months of excitement, anxiety and indecision, I decided a horizontal industrial would be perfect. They are beautiful, original, and I couldn't get in too much trouble, because it's only my ear (or so I thought...). The only thing discouraging me was what I was predicting to be the most utterly painful experience of my life. The day I was driving into Calgary to get it done I was an absolute wreck. I told my friend that I'd go in, ask some questions, and then decide whether I would go through with it or not. I got something to eat to hopefully lower my chances of passing out, and walked in.

I had always heard Rob Hill was a great piercer, and that Bee-Cool was a good place to go, and someone from work told me he was a very nice guy, so I was glad to find out he was in. He was busy piercing someone when I got there (a 13 year old teeny-bopper's navel- surprise!), so I asked the girl at the front about the pain factor, procedure, how long it would take, etc. She asked what I thought of my lip, and I told her I didn't think it hurt at all, so she thought I would do fine since most people find lips fairly painful. I finally decided I would do it. When Rob was finished with the other customers, and after lots of wandering around the shop trying to stall, I hesitantly told him what I wanted done and asked if I could get a barbell put in right away instead of two hoops until it healed. He explained to me that the barbell would be a hindrance in the healing process and recommended the hoops, but I was determined to have the beautiful industrial I had come for. He took a look at my ear, chose a 1 3/8" barbell (16 ga at my request, being the baby I am) and said okay.

I was terribly nervous until I walked into the piercing room. It was very clean, with the typical dentist-chair and doctor office feel. As soon as we started talking, my nervousness subsided. I liked that he talked to me rather than rushed me- it calmed me down. We talked about everything from the Slayer concert that night to out mutual fear of needles, punk shows to Boston Pizza. I also asked him pleadingly to "please not count"- I've always hated the whole idea of counting to three and then doing it, and he agreed wholeheartedly. He told me that he tried to sense people's energy to know when to do it. Twenty minutes later, after he did the cleaning and positioning, I was on my back, nervous as hell again. He explained that I would feel a prick, but that it wouldn't be the needle. I breathed in, and then felt the needle go through- painlessly. I was amazed. He asked if I was okay, and I said I was fine. The second hole was just as painless- I don't even know which he did first. Then he put in the jewelry, and I was done! I sat up, very excited and *very* relieved. I have read other experiences that describe a loud crunching sound, but I experienced none whatsoever. We went over cleaning for about 15 minutes, and he told me to use a natural lavender soap and a hot sea-salt compress. He explained to me that chemical products caused more of a reaction from your body, and therefore natural products were much better to use. An hour after I walked in, I was done, but the actual piercing only took about 2 minutes, was virtually pain-free, and now I have a new piercing that I adore. The cost was $95, and I gave a $5 tip, which is pretty average I think.
I will not lie- the healing process is long (6-9 months) and quite painful at times, but I would encourage anybody who is considering it to go through with it- it was a wonderful experience. I am slowly trying to find the cause of my irrational fear of needles through body modifications, and I hope to be over it completely. So all in all, it was great- I am very pleased with how it looks. Responses from people vary greatly- most people either love it, are completely in awe, or absolutely disgusted by it. A month and a half later, I still can't sleep on it entirely comfortably, and hitting it hurts like hell, but it is still worth it.
-heroin_bob