Piercing Piercing Experiences Facial & Oral Labret Piercing

I first thought of getting a labret piercing 6 or 7 months ago. I live in a relatively small city (Medicine Hat) where not too many people have this piercing let alone any piercing (other than ear lobes). My cousin got this piercing over a year ago and this helped to inspire me to get mine. My sister also has several piercings (eleven at last count I believe) so she suggested we go to Calgary (3.5 hours away) to her piercer....Rob Hill. I spent many hours here at BME researching my piercing and reading others' experiences as well as viewing many of the pictures. Finally I decided it was the piercing for me. So, on a Friday, I skipped class (with my mother's permission of course), and off we went to Calgary.

When I first walked in to Bee Cool, I was greeted by his newest employee. He gave me the forms to fill out. He then also helped me to pick out the best jewlery for my piercing. After completing the forms, I waited for Rob to come over and discuss them with me. While waiting, everyone at Bee Cool helped me to relax. I felt very comfortable there in fact. It was just like hanging out....not impersonal at all. Finally Rob came over and introduced himself. He then talked to me, as well as my mom and my sister. He answered all of my questions as well as all of my mom's, thus giving her peace of mind. In fact, despite Rob's initial appearance (a lot of facial piercings), mom quite liked Rob!!!

Next we headed to the back where his piercing booth is set up. It was extremely clean. It was also decorated with a variety of stuffed animals that too had been pierced!! Rob proceeded to wash his hands many times through out the procedure as well as change his gloves. He also explained his sterilization techniques to me before he began as well as through out the procedure. After washing his hands and putting on gloves, he marked and remarked the position of my labret while I was sitting until it was absolutely perfect (anyone who has been pierced by Rob knows that he is a perfectionist). Then he had me check it to be sure that was how I wanted it placed. Next, while sitting in the infamous "dentist chair" he had me rinse with Listerine (the gross original flavor) for approx. 60 seconds. Then he placed the clamp on my lower lip. I didn't find this uncomfortable at all. He then went on to explain what I could expect to feel during the actual piercing. He explained exactly what he would do as well. Finally it was time for the piercing. He had me relax and begin deep breathing. He then said "K breath deep" and he pushed the needle through. Then he said "exhale" and he finished pushing the needle through. This felt just like getting an ordinary needle. He then proceeded to put the jewlery in (flat back labret stud). I found this to be the most painful part but it was really just a pinch. After it was all over and I saw it in the mirror, I was extremely happy with it. I felt it suited me and my facial features quite well. He then spent several minutes going over the cleaning routine (was with lavender soap, salt water soaks and rinse with a tea tree oil mouthwash) and answered any more questions I may have. I found by the time it was all done, the piercing did feel a bit hot but that was the only discomfort. I had relatively no swelling. He also taught me how to train my piercing so it would not rub against my teeth. Rob and I then spent several minutes discussing other piercings; mainly t he ones he had. I have to say, piercings are very addictive and the whole experience left me wanting more.

I have now had the piercing for approx three months and have had no problems with it. In the beginning I found it did irritate my lower gums slightly, but I just followed Rob's instructions (pull on the front of it to make the piercing form a slight pocket on the inside of the lower lip). Now it sits nicely and doesn't bother my gums or my teeth. Like any piercing though, it did take some getting used to. The first few times I bit it, it was quite painful....mainly to my teeth but not to the piercing itself.

All in all, it was an excellent experience. I highly recommend Rob Hill to everyone. He his a fantastic piercer!!! Very friendly and out going as well as extremely professional. I also feel that for anyone going to get a first piercing, this is a good one to choose because it is relatively painless and easy to take care of. Also, depending on the placement, you can wear either a hoop or a stud in it making it very versatile.
-Jonathan