Show me your piercings!

[Presto]

I wanted to (re)create this thread over here because...
I gots a new hole in my ear!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/ear.jpg
It is the third up from the bottom, the slightly crusty one.
Ever since stumbling through the Spiral Goddess Afficionado thread and setting out on my quest for the perfect earrings, I've been eyeing the gap in my piercings. I never really noticed how much of a gap it was, since viewed from the front it isn't that noticeable. But when I started to take pics of my newly stretched lobes and the earrings in them, that space was just crying out to be filled.
This space: http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/twist4.jpg

So this is my first needle piercing, as opposed to maul gunning. And boy what a difference! Sure it pinched going in, but not as bad as I remember the gun did. Afterwards it was warm for a while, and when I bumped it, it felt like a tickle in a wierd spot on my ear. It only tickled! Now it's crusty, and loosening that with salt water stings a little, but it is like nothing compared to the weeks of hurt following a gun piercing!

And now I want to get the helix piercing I always wanted. It will be placed lower down, right at the top of the visible part of the ear in that first photo, if that makes sense.
I know that one will hurt worse...:grim: But I will have all the pretties in that I imagined.
Hubby says, "They're your ears, dear." I sense that he doesn't really approve. Oh wells. :lafhard:

Off-topic: Glad to find lots of you guys chatting away in here, had to sign up!:lafhard:


If this is in the wrong forum, please move, Mods. Tks.

[Isilme]

oh, that looks nice:) I imagine you feel more balanced now? But what sort of earring are you wearing in the first piercing?
ETA, Btw, I'm really glad you started this thread, I miss the LHC thread.
I have thought about getting my nose pierced. Either now in march-april or in july (If I don't get it in march-april when I donate blood for the first time since my navel piercing I have to wait four months because I want to donate once more if I decide I'm getting it for the summer. You know, six months of no blood donating after getting pierced, and four months between regular donations) But I worry a bit about healing a fresh piercing in the middle of the summer...
Oh, and I'm waiting for some new nice things from BAF!:)

[Presto]

Thanks Isilme! It looks so much more even now. They are a little more crowded than would be perfect, especially since I'm up to a ten gauge in the bottom now. But I am so glad I got it!
I assume you are asking about the twirly in the second pic... I call them "Fake It Til You Make It"s. See my Etsy shop in my sig. I made them for my sister-in-law who was too chicken to stretch her ears at the time.
But she's now up to a full 12 gauge! :D
I miss seeing everyone elses neat-o jewelry and different placements. It was very enabling! :D

[kimberlily]

Presto, that's a really cool spiral!

I think my helix may be rejecting. I got it pierced in November, and it is still sore and lymphing like crazy. I THINK it has moved forward, but only on the back of my ear. I've never looked at the back of my ear before, but there's a red spot at the back that is raw and lymphing.

I'm sad :( I was pierced with a titanium cbr, so I'm wondering if changing to a barbell or something would solve the problem. Thoughts?

[Pegasus Marsters]

A barbell might get bumped around less, kimberlily. Rings often get knocked and stuff. Salt water soaks are always going to be good and maybe you should chat with your piercer and see what they have to say? They'll be the best person for advice.

[kimberlily]

Yeah, that's why I was thinking about switching to a barbell, Pegs. I'm going to call my piercer this afternoon. I have wanted this piercing for so long, I don't want to lose it!

[Pegasus Marsters]

My first thought is what that bump could be is a keloid (http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Keloid). Hopefully that page will help you a bit?

[kimberlily]

Nope, Pegs, it isn't even a bump. Just a raw, sore, weepy spot :(

ETA: I looked over at BAF, and I couldn't find ANY barbells in 18g. I'm actually wondering how a labret would look, but my hair would probably wrap around it and mess it up. I've also heard of people wearing nostril screws in their helix, but I'd guess the hair would be an issue there too.

[Pegasus Marsters]

http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Rejection if it looks something like the red spots on these then it could well be rejecting. Talk to your piercer ASAP :flower:

[Isilme]

I have a question to those with a nostril piercing, how do you clean it? I can see how someone would clean it one the outside, but on the inside?

[kimberlily]

Isilme, I use a q-tip :) I'm just really careful not to catch it on the end of the screw.

My ear doesn't look like any of those pics, Pegs. It was REALLY HARD to get a good pic.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/kimberlily74/Picture-098.jpg

[Pegasus Marsters]

Isilme: A q-tip and shoving my nose into a shot glass full of salt water. It was fun;) I had a ring, not a screw.

Mmmm Kimberlily... I'm not sure what to tell you. Could just be the piercing is shifting... that looks a bit like what my navel did when it was shifting around to a natural position. It stopped after a while and just needed lots of salt water soaks to calm it down. Your piercer will likely have better advice.

[kimberlily]

Hopefully it isn't rejecting. I do really think I should be changing the jewelry though. I sleep on that side, and no matter WHAT I do, I can't sleep any other way. I really should have gotten the left ear done instead, but I was stubborn.

[Sandie]

I wanted to (re)create this thread over here because...
I gots a new hole in my ear!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/ear.jpg
It is the third up from the bottom, the slightly crusty one.
Ever since stumbling through the Spiral Goddess Afficionado thread and setting out on my quest for the perfect earrings, I've been eyeing the gap in my piercings. I never really noticed how much of a gap it was, since viewed from the front it isn't that noticeable. But when I started to take pics of my newly stretched lobes and the earrings in them, that space was just crying out to be filled.
This space: http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/twist4.jpg

So this is my first needle piercing, as opposed to maul gunning. And boy what a difference! Sure it pinched going in, but not as bad as I remember the gun did. Afterwards it was warm for a while, and when I bumped it, it felt like a tickle in a wierd spot on my ear. It only tickled! Now it's crusty, and loosening that with salt water stings a little, but it is like nothing compared to the weeks of hurt following a gun piercing!

And now I want to get the helix piercing I always wanted. It will be placed lower down, right at the top of the visible part of the ear in that first photo, if that makes sense.
I know that one will hurt worse...:grim: But I will have all the pretties in that I imagined.
Hubby says, "They're your ears, dear." I sense that he doesn't really approve. Oh wells. :lafhard:

Off-topic: Glad to find lots of you guys chatting away in here, had to sign up!:lafhard:


If this is in the wrong forum, please move, Mods. Tks.

Congrats on your new piercing! Isn't going to a needle piercer sooooo much better than a gun piercing? The end result is a much happier piercing overall.

[Sandie]

Isilme, I use a q-tip :) I'm just really careful not to catch it on the end of the screw.

My ear doesn't look like any of those pics, Pegs. It was REALLY HARD to get a good pic.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/kimberlily74/Picture-098.jpg

That does look like it is infected or rejecting. I would have it looked at A.S.A.P. So sorry that you are having this problem.

[kimberlily]

I just got off the phone with the piercing shop. My piercer wasn't in, but the lady I spoke to said it is pretty uncommon for a helix to reject. She said they sometimes migrate, but my problem is probably caused by irritation from sleeping on it. I'm going to go in for a jewelry change this weekend, since she recommended it to prevent further irritation from the ring moving around so much. She also recommended emu oil to soothe the inflammation and speed healing. I have that at home already so I'm going to start using it right away.

[Presto]

Thanks, Sandie!
Oh Kimberlily that looks so angry! I hope you come up with a comforting solution. I think I will have my helix pierced next payday, because I should be getting a raise. A little reward to myself. I hope yours isn't rejecting, and I hope mine won't either.

[kimberlily]

For the record, my ear isn't really that red. I didn't adjust the colour balance when I cropped it, and the camera picked up the red cast from my sweater ;)

[Flying Betty]

No pictures yet, but I have three new lobe holes now! I'm up to two on the left and three on the right, plus my 1 month old helix. And I got them done at 14 gauge so I can wear my Cthulhus when they're healed. And my piercer loved the earrings I was wearing and wants to take a picture of my ears with those earrings and my spirals once I get them healed and put in!

[Presto]

Oh I can't wait to see! I was slowly working my way through the piercings thread at LHC, and now I want to look back and see some freshly pierced cartilage. How ouchy does it look, and how does it look at one month?:whoohoo:

I've been doing some photoshoppery to consider my options.
:whyme:I know there's really only a slight difference between the two...
Originally I was set on a lower placement, but now that I can see a theoretical picture, I think the higher location does look better.
*hmmm*
Opinions? I should make a poll: 1. Higher 2. Lower 3. Quit waffling and get one already!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/options.jpg

[snowbear]

I honestly would ask your piercer. They're trained for this. Personally, I think the second looks better with your earnatomy.
Cheers!

[kimberlily]

I like it higher, Presto.

When my helix was fresh, it didn't look "ouchy" at all. At one month, it still didn't look sore at all.

[happylynngilmer]

My husband has his septum pierced, and he cleans it with a sopping wet Q-tip of bactine. Hydrogen peroxide dries it out.

[Rain]

You should never use Bactine on a piercing. A piercing is a puncture wound. Bactine is not for puncture wounds. It says so on the bottle.

I clean inside my nose with a Dixie cup of sea salt water. I'll either clean gunk off with a q-tip or blow my nose. No big deal.

Kimberlily, that does look pretty irritated and I agree it is probably the movement of the ring. Never underestimate how irritating a ring moving around in a fresh piercing can be.

It is really uncommon for white people to get keloids. If you are prone to keloids, you could get them any time you have a cut. You will probably already know if you get them before you get pierced. "The bump" that a lot of people get on healing cartilage is not a keloid. A bump will go away when the source of irritation is removed. A keloid has to be cut off by a doctor. Two separate things.

I deleted all my old photos from my Photobucket so I don't have a picture of healing cartilage on hand. Well, not exactly. This one is of my new gaboon ebony Omerica plugs. I got matching 2g top hats and 3/4" Mayan tunnels. The titanium eyelet in the middle is my still-healing inner conch punch that I got in September so it's about 5 months old. You can't see how irritated it is because of the flares. Well, it's irritated. I asked my piercer why the left one would have healed in less than 3 months and the right one is still cranky. They've had exactly the same aftercare. He looked at it and said, "It's the angle. Sorry." It was punched on a slight downward angle rather than straight back at the desired 90-degree angle. Well, crap. It's okay. What's done is done. At least he can admit he messed up. I can respect that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/54abd21a.jpg

[Presto]

Wow! Awesome ear adornments! Yeah your conch doesn't look entirely happy... but maybe that's just shadows or that I'm viewing this on my phone.

[kimberlily]

Bactine has iodine in it doesn't it? Iodine is horrible for piercings. Though, back in the day when I got my navel pierced, they gave me a bottle of iodine and told me to use that on my fresh piercing. No wonder it took so long to heal ;)

I'm going to the piercer tomorrow to get my jewelry changed. I feel better about the issue after talking to them on the phone yesterday. I may also get my nostril jewelry changed out since I think the stud is too long now that it has mostly healed. It pokes out sometimes.

Rain, sorry to hear about the trouble you're having with your conch punch. It doesn't look bad at all. Does he think it will eventually be happy and is just healing slowly because of the angle? I hope you won't keep having trouble with it long-term.

[Rain]

Presto, thanks. I am pretty happy with them. :) I don't know what irritation you are seeing. I'm insanely pale and my ear is just pink there with or without piercings. The irritation I am talking about is fully hidden below the flare of the eyelet.

Kimberlily, it shouldn't be an ongoing problem It's just taking longer to heal because of the angle. Even though it's being difficult, it is still nowhere near as difficult as my needled conches were!

[happylynngilmer]

You should never use Bactine on a piercing. A piercing is a puncture wound. Bactine is not for puncture wounds. It says so on the bottle.

Really?! Then the guy who pierced him is an idiot. After a few days of using diluted HP, he called and the piercer told him to use bactine instead. He's had the piercing for 3 years, and cleans it about once a week and hasn't had issues. He's just lucky I guess!

[kimberlily]

Never use HP either. The piercer must be going on really old information. 12 years ago when I got my navel done, iodine was recommended by my piercer, and it was a very well-respected shop at the time, so they should have known their trade pretty well.

Then again, gun piercing was still considered okay. Now my DD wants her ears done, and I have told her she's going to have to wait until she's old enough to get it done at a proper piercing shop. The only GOOD thing about the gun is that they can do them both simultaneously, but it isn't worth the risk. Besides, she's not going to take care of them herself at 5 years old and I have enough to do without taking care of her ears ;)

Sea salt is the bomb. Cheap, easy to come by, and totally piercing-safe.

[Sandie]

Thanks, Sandie!
Oh Kimberlily that looks so angry! I hope you come up with a comforting solution. I think I will have my helix pierced next payday, because I should be getting a raise. A little reward to myself. I hope yours isn't rejecting, and I hope mine won't either.

There's no reason to think that your helix will reject, as mentioned a helix rarely rejects. My healed better than any of my other piercings. Didn't hurt to have done, although it bled a bit more than other piercings, but I had it done with a 12g needle. Within a week the crusties and lymph had stopped, and it just healed like a little champ. In the pic below the helix was barely a month old and see how good it looks. Anyway, good luck with your helix, and post a pic after you have it done.

http://www.zaftig-2000.com/sandie/LHC/squid6.jpg

[Pegasus Marsters]

So my list of wanted piercings is growing... and I recently added septum to it. I now desperately want my septum pierced... but I dunno if it'll look ok with my nostril piercing being a ring. Should I change it for a little sparkley stud?

[kwaniesiam]

It depends on what jewelry you're wearing in your septum. You can always get a retainer for it and flip it up when you want to wear a ring. Ah that just reminded me how much I want my septum pierced. Still gotta wait till august though...

[Rain]

So my list of wanted piercings is growing... and I recently added septum to it. I now desperately want my septum pierced... but I dunno if it'll look ok with my nostril piercing being a ring. Should I change it for a little sparkley stud?

I would. I usually think rings and rings together in a nose are a little busy.

No one asked but my opinion on septum retainers is they're retainers and not jewelry. I think they look pretty stupid worn to show. Get some real jewelry.

[Pegasus Marsters]

I'm not a fan of retainers either, Rain. Would a circular barbell be as easy to flip up to hide during the healing process? (Oh man would my mother hate me having a septum piercing!) My piercer recommended a retainer when I had a chat with him but I was hoping for a circular barbell instead. I've actually found some that have front facing jewels on the balls and thought that would be cute ^.^

[Rain]

Apparently it depends a lot on the size of the jewelry and shape of your nose but I have flipped my circular barbell up just about every work day for the last couple of years. I tried a retainer for a while because I was switching metals. It wasn't a comfort issue with the cbb, I mean. I just wanted to see if I'd have less funk with titanium and a retainer was cheaper than a cbb.

Some people love their retainers but I hate mine. It was the smallest one I could find (I have a tiny nose) but it kind of flaps around and tickles inside my nose. My cbb stays where I put it and doesn't wiggle around. I don't notice it's there at all. If I'm wearing the retainer, I'm aware of it the whole time.

[Pegasus Marsters]

See I'm thinking a retainer would tickle for me too... my nose isn't exactly large (but i'm not sure it's as dainty as yours) and I honestly think I'd have the flapping tickling thing with one.

[Rain]

See I'm thinking a retainer would tickle for me too... my nose isn't exactly large (but i'm not sure it's as dainty as yours) and I honestly think I'd have the flapping tickling thing with one.

You could try o-rings to keep it in place. I never did because little o-rings are a pain. The thing with a retainer is you can get it in black niobium. If you're tall and little people like me can see up your nose, that might be a bonus. As a short person, that is not something I ever have to worry about. :lafhard: But yeah, I hate my retainer.

[Pegasus Marsters]

HAH! I am tall but the good news is the people I have to hide it from (Read: My family!) are all taller than me. Freaking SCORE! Somehow I got the short genetics. At my tiny 5'8 I am the family midget

[Rain]

HAH! I am tall but the good news is the people I have to hide it from (Read: My family!) are all taller than me. Freaking SCORE! Somehow I got the short genetics. At my tiny 5'8 I am the family midget

:rassberry: Yeah, I am too. Well, almost. My youngest is exactly one inch shorter than I am...but she is still growing.

My husband is 6' and wears a big 8g cbb flipped up and no one's noticed it. Well, I have but I knew it was there anyway and no one is this short. :D

[getoffmyskittle]

Somehow I got the short genetics. At my tiny 5'8 I am the family midget

>____________________________________>

[Pegasus Marsters]

What, Skitts? In my family that IS the short genetics!

[kimberlily]

I finally got my custom length Industrial Strength navel barbell today. A whole 1/4" shank on this thing, and it is so freaking comfortable! Why did I wait so long? :)

[Presto]

Oh boy! Oh boy! My purty 14g 1/2" CBR arrived in the mail!
My goal this weekend is to find a place that will autoclave it and pierce me and put it in. I know most shops make their money from the jewelry they sell, any ideas how likely it is that I can find one that will do this for me? It has a light blue rhinestone on the bead, so I can say that my hubby got it for me special. My birthstone is aquamarine. Yes, I did get my own off of eBay a couple weeks ago to save money.

[kwaniesiam]

Oh boy! Oh boy! My purty 14g 1/2" CBR arrived in the mail!
My goal this weekend is to find a place that will autoclave it and pierce me and put it in. I know most shops make their money from the jewelry they sell, any ideas how likely it is that I can find one that will do this for me? It has a light blue rhinestone on the bead, so I can say that my hubby got it for me special. My birthstone is aquamarine. Yes, I did get my own off of eBay a couple weeks ago to save money.
Call up some shops and ask. As long as it is made from high quality, implant grade materials they shouldn't have a problem with it. Did you want a helix? 1/2" sounds pretty large for a helix, you could always take the bead off and have them put it on a different ring when they pierce you since the bead isn't in contact with the healing part.

[Presto]

*disappointed face here*
I think I am not destined to have this helix done in a shop. Two shops with good ratings were closed, and when I lowered my standards and went to one with less than stellar reviews they told me they wouldn't autoclave my ring, and I needed to use their jewelry. Plus that shop set my nerves on edge anyway... :-p
Well, I ordered some piercing needles off the internet, so I can do it myself if I don't get a chance to travel way down south to Laughing Buddha. Hubby has a serious aversion to Seattle, and always wants me with him, otherwise I'd run off and get it done myself.
He volunteered to pierce me, and I explained the kind of effort we'll need to put into sterilization, and he was fine with all that. But he is a little leery of putting it in not quite the right spot, and having me remind him forever about it. :-D
So, I told him I'd do it myself, he could watch, make sure it looked like I was getting it straight, and hold my camera. My camera has a TV cord, so I can watch myself do it, and not reversed like with a mirror. We'll be doing proper sterilization, using a hollow needle, and ultimately it will be my own damn fault if it's not just how I wanted it. :-D

So, didn't get it this weekend, waiting for needles to arrive in the mail.

[feisty redhead]

I've only got my ears pierced but once, no plans to ever do anything more than that. I got sick when I got my ears done - like had to run for a bathroom and nearly passed out sick. LOL Yeah I'm a whimp, but I had my ears done when I was 11 so I'd like to hope if I were to get second holes I'd handle it much better now. Doubtful though haha. My mom pierced my ears for me at home (which made the mad dash to the bathroom so much easier) and I totally trusted her to do it since she'd done her own ears several times.

Anyway... these are among my very favorite earrings; a friend over in the UK bought them for me because she said she saw them and immediately thought of me. She knows I love earrings and I am a photographer, so they were just perfect for me. :grinhappy:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/Crosby87Babe/IMG_2114.jpg

[Pegasus Marsters]

Presto... honestly just get it pierced at a shop with thier jewellery. It's not like you're stuck with it forever, you can put your own stuff in when its healed. I mean... if you were REALLY that fussed (I wouldn't do this myself, but...) just get it pierced at the shop then go home and put your own jewellery in it.

[getoffmyskittle]

*disappointed face here*
I think I am not destined to have this helix done in a shop. Two shops with good ratings were closed, and when I lowered my standards and went to one with less than stellar reviews they told me they wouldn't autoclave my ring, and I needed to use their jewelry. Plus that shop set my nerves on edge anyway... :-p
Well, I ordered some piercing needles off the internet, so I can do it myself if I don't get a chance to travel way down south to Laughing Buddha. Hubby has a serious aversion to Seattle, and always wants me with him, otherwise I'd run off and get it done myself.
He volunteered to pierce me, and I explained the kind of effort we'll need to put into sterilization, and he was fine with all that. But he is a little leery of putting it in not quite the right spot, and having me remind him forever about it. :-D
So, I told him I'd do it myself, he could watch, make sure it looked like I was getting it straight, and hold my camera. My camera has a TV cord, so I can watch myself do it, and not reversed like with a mirror. We'll be doing proper sterilization, using a hollow needle, and ultimately it will be my own damn fault if it's not just how I wanted it. :-D

So, didn't get it this weekend, waiting for needles to arrive in the mail.

...

You have fun with that. :boggle:

[Presto]

ROFLMAO!
Thanks for the input guys. :-D I've already done one myself a long time ago, but immediately put in a crappy nickel-filled hoop and itched myself insane until I took it out. Now that I know better what to use, I think it will go much better. I mean, it will hurt just as much as getting done in a shop, actually less since I have control, so why not?

So, if I make a movie of it and post it somewhere, would anyone be interested to watch? Or just grossed out? ;-)

That is a really cute little camera!


ETA: More and more postscripts...

[snowbear]

I'd watch! Then again, I love ModBlog.

[Rain]

Unless you have your own autoclave, you're not going to be able to sterilize the stuff yourself. Unless you get that angle perfect, you are going to have soooo much fun healing. If you bought cheap jewelry off eBay, I seriously doubt it is very good quality. But it's your body. Do what you want.

[Rain]

PS: 1953DIYGal, her friend M and I all got poked last weekend. 7 piercings between the three of us. Sadly, there are no pictures.

[kimberlily]

My helix is much happier now. Thank goodness for emu oil. I couldn't get in to the piercer (DH's damn pager went off and kept us home while he worked) and it is too far by bus, so I kept up the soaks and used emu oil on the irritated area. Now the crusties are gone, as is the raw spot. I guess I saved myself having to buy new jewelry for the time being :)

Rain, where's your new hole? Did you get the other ear done so you have a matching set?

Presto, I agree with Rain. I would totally NOT pierce myself. You can't be sure how well you've sterilized everything unless you have an autoclave, and if you mess it up, it can mean an unpleasant healing experience OR having to go get it done professionally anyway. I'm more of the "better safe than sorry" school of thought on these things. I also think that people who tattoo themselves are a bit nuts ;)

[Rain]

Kimberlily, I got my other rook done. I have matched ears now. I'm really tempted to get both tragi after seeing them on DIYgal and her friend. They have tiny barbells and they are sooo cute!

That raw bit you had could easily have come from crust getting picked off by accident. I've had that happen before. When it's dry, it sticks to the skin and sometimes skin is pretty fragile. It's one reason to soak the stuff off. Fun, huh?

[kimberlily]

Fun indeed. I'm a habitual picker, and I do sometimes find myself absently picking at my helix. Bad, I know. But I don't realize I'm doing it! It is much better now though :)

[Presto]

It would be nice to get to the piercer I like and trust, all the shops around here are kind of skungy or the better ones have closed up. :whyme:
Hubby just won't go to Seattle... :-p It's beautiful up here, but for some things it sucks to be out in the boonies.

For sterilization... I have ordered pre-sterilized needles, and will use a CBR that was autoclaved and has only been worn by me.
Both of these items will be immersed in bleach, then rubbing alcohol, and then boiled for an hour. I have a box of nitrile gloves, and will prepare a clean surface to work from. Prepackaged wipes for cleaning my ear beforehand, hair-ties and clips to keep my hair out of the way.
I also have excellent health-care and an open minded doctor. I probably wouldn't do this myself without that access.

I'm not going into this completely clueless the way I was the first time I did it by simply shoving an old piercing stud through my ear. I know most of you wouldn't choose to do this, but I feel prepared to execute this and accept the consequences if it should go badly. After all, it can go badly from a professional piercer too.


Mlahhh... why do I feel like I'm defending myself... oh yeah, I guess I am.:evileye:



Okay enough about what I haven't done yet...
Let's see some more pics from you all!

Here's two from me...
Great big long neck stabby heavy ones I made that look kind of silly:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/longtwists2.jpg
And the "perfect" ones I've been trying to make all along:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/smalltwists2.jpg
I should have framed the shots better, look at my ear for scale.

[SueBee]

Kimberlily,
I was just thinking about a question I had for you, at least I think maybe it was you...
Back at LHC, I had asked if your nostril piercing was directly in the crease or just below. I thought you had answered that yours was below.
If so, can you please tell me what jewelry you use for it? Where you bought it, and whatever you might have to add.
I believe mine is just below the crease. Guess I should shop for a nose ring with a flat bottom to sit flat on the nostril; as opposed to the "martini glass" bottom? Yah?
Sorry to ramble. Anyway.
Thank you.

[Garnett]

Oooh Presto.. I think it's a horrible idea to pierce yourself. I'm totally with Rain on this one!

[kwaniesiam]

Coming from someone who has done DIY piercings...Presto, definitely go to the professional. I've done 5 different piercings on myself, and only still have 1. My eyebrow rejected once, and had an accident at a concert before that. Trust me, waiting for the extra trip is going to be worth it. Placement is also a big issue and cartilage is fussy enough on its own.

But all that aside...when you get down to it I think a DIY needled helix is still better than a gunned one anyday.

[lilmisspicky126]

I realize that you don't want everyone ganging up on you about piercing yourself, but is there ANY way you can go to Seattle with a friend or without your husband? I highly recomend Slave to the Needle in Ballard. I've been pierced there twice and it was great. I know your husband doesn't like Seattle, but Ballard isn't as "downtown" as "Seattle Seattle" and is definitely less crowded.
My 2 cents.

[kimberlily]

Kimberlily,
I was just thinking about a question I had for you, at least I think maybe it was you...
Yes, it was me :)

Back at LHC, I had asked if your nostril piercing was directly in the crease or just below. I thought you had answered that yours was below. If so, can you please tell me what jewelry you use for it? It is just below the crease. If it was IN the crease, it probably would have been uncomfortable for the first while if I smiled ;)

Where you bought it, and whatever you might have to add. I bought it from my piercer, but it is a standard 18g titanium screw (he custom bent it for me). I believe it is either Anatometal or Industrial Strength, since those are the only brands I've seen with faux opals in them ;) I didn't want to bring my own jewelry since it needed to be autoclaved.

I believe mine is just below the crease. Guess I should shop for a nose ring with a flat bottom to sit flat on the nostril; as opposed to the "martini glass" bottom? Yah?
Sorry to ramble. Anyway.
Thank you. Mine has a flat bottom. See this (http://bodyartforms.com/productdetails.asp?ProductID=3209):)

Hope that helps :D

[Pegasus Marsters]

So anyone wondering what they'll look like with a septum piercing... get a bcr you never wear and shove it up your nose so the gap is filled by your septum.

I just did this.

I look freaking CUTE.

[snowbear]

So anyone wondering what they'll look like with a septum piercing... get a bcr you never wear and shove it up your nose so the gap is filled by your septum.

I just did this.

I look freaking CUTE.
Pictures! You know there's no proof anything happened without pictures!

[kimberlily]

Yeah, what snowbear said ;)

[Pegasus Marsters]

Ok ok.. here are crappy webcam pics that really don't show things well BUT BE GRATEFUL.

First.. septum:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/Picture003-2.jpg

Second, Lip: (OMG haha my eyes are blurred in this one. Bad picture is bad!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/Picture004-1.jpg

Yes I cleaned it between those two photos. I'm not that gross. Excuse my bad hair.

[Rain]

Pegs, i did the same thing with a cbr before getting my septum pierced. It was how I ultimately decided I needed one.

Presto, I've done my share of self-piercing as well. It's why I really think it's a bad idea, especially for cartilage. I'll drop it though. Like I said, your body - your choice.

Proof it happened. Sorry for the bad quality pics. I took them with my phone in the bathroom just now. :lafhard: I tried getting them at the same angle but it's just about impossible. The pictures are backwards. The one on the left is my right ear and the one with the new rook.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_a666b709.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/a666b709.jpg)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_42bc45ec.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/42bc45ec.jpg)

[getoffmyskittle]

Pictures! You know there's no proof anything happened without pictures!

what snowbie (that's your new name) actually means is this:

PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

that is all.

[snowbear]

Love the new rook, Rain! Now you're all symmetrical!

what snowbie (that's your new name) actually means is this:

PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

that is all.
Right-o.

[Rain]

Love the new rook, Rain! Now you're all symmetrical!

Thank you! I feel so much more balanced now. All is well in Rainland.

[Quixotica]

Your ears are lovely, Rain!

[Quixotica]

Ok ok.. here are crappy webcam pics that really don't show things well BUT BE GRATEFUL.

First.. septum:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/Picture003-2.jpg

Second, Lip: (OMG haha my eyes are blurred in this one. Bad picture is bad!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/Picture004-1.jpg

Yes I cleaned it between those two photos. I'm not that gross. Excuse my bad hair.

Adorable on both fronts, Pegs - I desperately want a lip piercing but I'm TERRIFIED it'll mess up my teeth/gums! :purplex:

[kimberlily]

Adorable on both fronts, Pegs - I desperately want a lip piercing but I'm TERRIFIED it'll mess up my teeth/gums! :purplex: What about doing a Monroe dermal anchor? I know it isn't a lip piercing, but it is tooth/gum safe :)

[Rain]

Your ears are lovely, Rain!

Thanks!

I'm feeling too lazy to go back and quote but you could always go with a vertical lip piercing. It wouldn't be inside your mouth and therefore would not mess up your teeth.

[Rain]

I might have more piercing pics this weekend. Mini Me wants her nostril pierced. She's getting it done with a ring. Our piercer prefers to do nostrils with rings for some reason and that's what she wants. I've snagged my nostril screw on a washcloth enough times to not bother arguing. Crust is getting dragged through either way.

[kimberlily]

OMG, she's going to be so freaking cute with her nostril done :D

I need to work out a way to get to my piercer without DH if necessary. My screw is now officially too long. It pokes the crap out of the inside of my nose and makes me sneeze :lol:

[Flying Betty]

After seeing this I had to go grab a little ring and see how I looked with facial piercings. Sadly, nothing seemed to suit me at all. (Or maybe not so sadly since I doubt my job would be too crazy about them anyway.)

How painful is a rook? I like the looks of it, but I got my helix done not long ago and it really freaking hurt! I've read that rooks are supposed to be pretty painful and I'm not sure I'd want that.

[kimberlily]

The pain is only temporary though... if you have happy healing, you'll have your rook forever :)

[Rain]

OMG, she's going to be so freaking cute with her nostril done :D

I need to work out a way to get to my piercer without DH if necessary. My screw is now officially too long. It pokes the crap out of the inside of my nose and makes me sneeze :lol:

Yep! :D Wow, that does sound annoying. My retainers tend to pop out and look like antenna sometimes but I can't change them yet.

Flying Betty, as with anything else, it varies from person to person. I didn't find the piercing to be painful any of the three times I've done it. My new rook is being cranky right now but I wore headphones over it last night and it's less than a week old so that's what I can expect.

[kimberlily]

:lol: Antennae! Too funny! I get that look too. If it isn't poking the inside of my nose, it is sticking out saying hello to the world ;)

[Quixotica]

What about doing a Monroe dermal anchor? I know it isn't a lip piercing, but it is tooth/gum safe :)

Honestly, dermal anchors scare me! Maybe I just don't know that much about them? :boggle:

[Pegasus Marsters]

The BME wiki is your friend, Quixotica;)

[Quixotica]

Thanks!

I'm feeling too lazy to go back and quote but you could always go with a vertical lip piercing. It wouldn't be inside your mouth and therefore would not mess up your teeth.

Yeah, I've actually looked into getting a vertical labret and there's not a piercer within driving distance that will do one :(

However, I pulled a Pegs and here's what I'd look like with boring ole' lip ring!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2296793335_c4d87aa936_m.jpg

Excuse the ear buds and the crappy cell phone pic :grinhappy:

Darn you, Pegs - now I just HAVE to find the money to finance a new piercing....it may be a long while, though, heh! After seeing what I'd look like with one, I think I might make a visit with my piercer to see if he thinks my anatomy would work with a lip ring (Rain, am I right that some people have lips that allow a ring to not rub against the gumline/teeth constantly? Would this be a good next step?) If it won't work, then maybe I'll just hassle him for a vertical labret :eureka:

[Pegasus Marsters]

You freaking love me and you know it. I'm too poor for the piercings i want! WAHHHH! :( It sucks.

When I am rich I will have many of them ;)

[Rain]

(Rain, am I right that some people have lips that allow a ring to not rub against the gumline/teeth constantly? Would this be a good next step?) If it won't work, then maybe I'll just hassle him for a vertical labret :eureka:

I don't really know. I don't see why not. Anatomy varies so much from person to person.

[kwaniesiam]

Grah, I want a septum so so very much. That and getting my lobes scalpelled are the first thing I'm going to do on my 18th birthday. I could have just stretched to 1/2" by then considering I started stretching almost a year and a half ago, another 6 months to go for 18...but I'm worried about placement and would rather be patient to make sure my ears are happy and healthy.

[Isilme]

Is it really that expensive to get pierced in the UK and US? Because here it's very cheap, considering it is with jewellery and aftercare products included. I payed 400 SEK (about 63-64 USD) for my navel last year. I did it at a great piercing studio, everything was correct, they are members of APP etc. It was much more expensive to have it done further down the street in a hair salon "we-do-all-kinds-of-piercings-with-a-gun-"style, they wanted 700 SEK to do a crappy hole. Maybe it's because the real studio don't want people to go to the hair salon...hm. I just find it funny when you talk about how expensive it is. Or maybe they are just doing real good business and everyone in my town wants to get a piercing;) Btw, my navel looks quite happy nowdays:D I like this thread, and the one on LHC has been a great help too.

[Pegasus Marsters]

It's about £30 for a piercing here (that's about $60 US dollars) but I just completely lack any money atall. No job and all that jazz. and if I get a job then I'm worried about them having a problem with me having all the piercings I want.

It's a tough life.

[Isilme]

ah, I see. Yes, it's tough to not have the money you want. But it still seems to be a tad bit cheaper here, odd. About job and piercings, couldn't you just wear retainers?

[Quixotica]

Grah, I want a septum so so very much. That and getting my lobes scalpelled are the first thing I'm going to do on my 18th birthday. I could have just stretched to 1/2" by then considering I started stretching almost a year and a half ago, another 6 months to go for 18...but I'm worried about placement and would rather be patient to make sure my ears are happy and healthy.

Total hijack, but Kwanie - I love your locs! :happy:

[Rain]

Is it really that expensive to get pierced in the UK and US? Because here it's very cheap, considering it is with jewellery and aftercare products included. I payed 400 SEK (about 63-64 USD) for my navel last year.

That sounds about right. But $60 isn't cheap in my world. It's completely worth it but I don't always have it laying around for things I don't really need. My piercer is my friend and gives me freebies or I'd just have to wait right now.

[Isilme]

yes, I thought it was cheap since I had expected it to cost much much more. Depends on how you see it, if I had expected it to be a lower price I might have thought it was expensive. Ah well, I thought it was extremely expensive in the UK and US.
(if you don't understand what I mean, just ignore. I came home from a dance class and I'm a bit dizzy right now;))

[kimberlily]

Yeah, $60 isn't cheap in the US. I got my helix & nostril done, including jewelry, for $90, at a good shop. It should have cost me $100, but they cut me a deal since I was getting two at once :)

[Garnett]

Quix that looks SUPER on you! You must have a lip piercing :D

And Rain I love your earsies :)

[getoffmyskittle]

That sounds about right. But $60 isn't cheap in my world. It's completely worth it but I don't always have it laying around for things I don't really need. My piercer is my friend and gives me freebies or I'd just have to wait right now.

Yep, not cheap in mine either! I want pierced knee-poles SO badly but yeah, it'd be about $60, and I need that money for food and tuition.

[kwaniesiam]

My industrial cost $75, and it was an APP shop. Nostril was $40. If you're going to a shop you know is good, the price range is usually around there or more, particularly because they'd be using high quailty implant grade materials for jewelry.

And thank you, Quix! :D

[Messyhair]

Piercings are my passion, but I haven't been able to get any to properly heal. They like to migrate on me. :( I've had my helix, tongue, and navel pierced and taken out again. Poo. I really miss the belly piercing.

[happylynngilmer]

My navel was $100, but I got expensive jewelry. I think it was $60 to pierce. Dh has had many different piercings done over the coarse of our relationship, but I don't recall him ever paying that (or even over $70 including jewelry) for any of his.

[kimberlily]

I'm getting some new jewelry for my ears :) Two pairs of 12g plugs. One from Glasswear (colorfronts in Indigo Sparkle) and a pair of high polish Industrial Strength plugs with Amethyst cabochons. I'll have to wait a dog's age for the IS plugs though, since they're a special order item.

I still BADLY want a pair of Nines and Spirals, since sometimes I'm just not in the mood for plugs or my Goddesses, but they're just so pricey that I will wait. Mother's Day and my birthday are coming up though ;)

[Presto]

Piercings are my passion, but I haven't been able to get any to properly heal. They like to migrate on me. :( I've had my helix, tongue, and navel pierced and taken out again. Poo. I really miss the belly piercing.
I'd heard of navels migrating, but did your tongue and helix migrate too? Or just never heal? That's what I'm most afraid of for my helix when I get it done. If I get it in the perfect place, and my body would like it somewhere else, I'd have to take it out. :ooh:

Last weekend I finished the perfect pair of twists! Now in 10 gauge:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/rholt3224/smalltwists2.jpg
Wow I really should have run that through photoshop to adjust the colors... but I'm at work. Poo.

This pair is the perfect length, and doesn't stab me in the neck! Yayz!

[Isilme]

beautiful jewellery Presto!
I have been looking at either a pearl or an amber barbell for when I can change it, but it says on the page that you cannot autoclave it or clean it with common cleansers, I just have to ask, how do you clean it then? I imagine salt soaks would be ok for amber since it's often found in the sea, and pearls maybe too. But I don't always have time for the soaks :(

[CryssieWillow]

Hmn.... I got my ears and my nose done all for €35,- a piece. (titanium jewelry) Which seems to be about the bottom price at any reputable shop. It is about 53 dollars.
I think they keep it as low as possible to compete a bit with the hole gunning because everything else is getting waay more expensive.
I think my piercer charges €70,- for a tongue and €90,- for intimates.

My nose and my helix are being a pain in the ass with bumps that are healing really slowly. :purplex: At least my nose bump is on the inside. But I would like the bugger gone before the glass goes in.

[kwaniesiam]

beautiful jewellery Presto!
I have been looking at either a pearl or an amber barbell for when I can change it, but it says on the page that you cannot autoclave it or clean it with common cleansers, I just have to ask, how do you clean it then? I imagine salt soaks would be ok for amber since it's often found in the sea, and pearls maybe too. But I don't always have time for the soaks :(

Where would you be wearing this jewelry? Usually warm water and some mild soap like Satin or Provon are enough to clean new jewelry. If your piercing is well healed you really don't need to clean it that often, either, and if not, it isn't time to change jewelry yet. Organic materials often aren't meant to be gotten wet/soaked in water, but a quick rinse should be okay. Can you post a link to where you were going to purchase these?

[Rain]

Thanks, Garnett!

Isilme, I imagine those pieces are not meant to be worn on a constant basis. I know pearls are very fragile. "Last thing you put on, first thing you take off," is what I've heard about pearls. I don't know how you would safely clean them. I would check with the manufacturer.

[Isilme]

I have seen an amber barbell af BAF, it's for my navel. Right now I clean the piercing with the soap I got when I was pierced, or sea salt soaks. The soap is a bit antibacterial and I know it's a bit overkill right now since it's mostly healed, but I can't decide what to use instead:( It's the amber one I'm most interested in:D
I'm checking out jewellery since my piercer said I could change it within two months or so.
ETA I found some jewellery care o BAF, now I just have to find another soap.

[Chrissy]

Hi all. I have read this whole thread with great interest. I'm not brave enough or young enough (imo) to do some of the piercings you guys have. I just got my 3rd ear lobe piercing a couple of weeks ago. I've wanted one for a long time. Since it's been a long time since I got my other two holes done I forget how long it takes for the piercing to not be quite so tender. They look good but are sore. Also what is wrong with a gun piercing? I've had all of mine done that way. Thanks!

[kwaniesiam]

http://www.homiegfunk.com/gunssuck.htm

That gives good information as to why piercing guns are bad, but the basic jist is that they can't be sterilized and cause excessive force, plus the operators often have little to no training. They're also commonly misused on cartilage, noses, and even other body parts. Ick!

[Chrissy]

OK now I'm scared after reading that article. Luckily I have never had any problems with my piercings. I hope this last one is the same. I had no idea AT ALL that guns were dangerous. Now I'm freaking out because of what the site said about HIV. I'm diabetic and have a compromised immune system. I did wonder about sterilization. Now I know. Geeze. There is nothing I can do now about it. It is what it is. I will just hope these turn out ok like the other ones. I do appreciate the article.

[Rain]

The kid's new nostril (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/c20595db.jpg). 20g fixed bead ring, for now. Something is weird with the lighting. Her hair is not yellow at the top. :)

[kimberlily]

Eeek! She looks so cute, Rain! :D

[piperdiva]

When you said she is your mini me, you weren't kidding. You two look like twins!

[redbark]

Errr... Rain. I cannot contain my curiosity.... "trampy toes of the month'???

Please 'splain????

[Rain]

Thanks, you guys! Piper, I never really used to believe she looked that much like me but I see it now.

Redbark, see the top two threads here (http://chatter.thebeautybottle.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5). I don't think my photo is up anymore and I don't seem to have saved it to my computer. So I can't show you.

[redbark]

I have 2 questions (I am piercing ingenue) ...
1. Are the goddess spirals a LHC thing? How come I don;t see them in real life..at all?

2. Do you guys like the goddess spirals for the way they look? Why do you keep "stretching" your lobes to wear the "higher" guage? Like 10, 12, 14(?)
Don't the spirals poke your neck and all?

[kimberlily]

redbark, I've seen the spirals several times around the SF Bay Area (mind you, Little 7 is in Oakland and several local piercing shops sell them).

I like the look of the spirals - they're pretty unusual, without being too "out there". I don't find that they poke me in the neck. I stretched my piercings to 12g to accommodate the spirals, but I can still wear regular earrings.

[redbark]

Thanks, you guys! Piper, I never really used to believe she looked that much like me but I see it now.

Redbark, see the top two threads here (http://chatter.thebeautybottle.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5). I don't think my photo is up anymore and I don't seem to have saved it to my computer. So I can't show you.

Sniffle.... from others' comments I gathered you photo-shopped some lips and eyes and made them look like cyclops and what-nots?

Sniff... I wish I could have seen them.

Thank you for the links.

[Rain]

I have 2 questions (I am piercing ingenue) ...
1. Are the goddess spirals a LHC thing? How come I don;t see them in real life..at all?

No, they're not just an LHC thing by any stretch. You can get Little 7 jewelry in some piercing shops, from Little 7 directly and from some online body jewelry shops. You aren't going to find them at Walmart or Target or Hot Topic so I'm not surprised you haven't seen them in real life.

2. Do you guys like the goddess spirals for the way they look? Why do you keep "stretching" your lobes to wear the "higher" guage? Like 10, 12, 14(?)
Don't the spirals poke your neck and all?

I don't wear them but I love how they look. I stretched my ears because I like the look. I find larger gauge jewelry to be more comfortable. If I was going to wear goddesses, I'd want a somewhat large gauge to make the jewelry look better. To me, anything smaller than 10g looks like a wire.

[Sandie]

The kid's new nostril (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/c20595db.jpg). 20g fixed bead ring, for now. Something is weird with the lighting. Her hair is not yellow at the top. :)

Rain, the placement on your DD is really nice, and she looks teriffic with it! It is so cute on her.

And to Chrissy...

Take super good care of your piercings, and you will likely be OK. But you have learned an important lesson about piercing guns, and why we all stay as far away from them as possible.

And, as to your comment about being too old for some of the piercings mentioned here? Baloney, I say! :) I'm 54 and have a few more piercings than most women I know. I'm also planning on getting a nostril piercing this summer. So...if you want a piercing, learn about it...do your research...then go to a reputable piercer/piercing shop.

[redbark]

redbark, I've seen the spirals several times around the SF Bay Area (mind you, Little 7 is in Oakland and several local piercing shops sell them).

I like the look of the spirals - they're pretty unusual, without being too "out there". I don't find that they poke me in the neck. I stretched my piercings to 12g to accommodate the spirals, but I can still wear regular earrings.

Thank you Kimberlily.

But why did you stretch your earlobes to wear 12g? Why wouldn't you wear 10g for example? Is there a difference? Apart from thickness I assume... does the thickness result in a better look? Am I missing something?

[Rain]

Sniffle.... from others' comments I gathered you photo-shopped some lips and eyes and made them look like cyclops and what-nots?

Sniff... I wish I could have seen them.

Thank you for the links.

Yep. My lips and an eye were GIMP'ed in with my hair wrapping around my toe in a trampy fashion. My toe was a vampy ho. :D

[redbark]

No, they're not just an LHC thing by any stretch. You can get Little 7 jewelry in some piercing shops, from Little 7 directly and from some online body jewelry shops. You aren't going to find them at Walmart or Target or Hot Topic so I'm not surprised you haven't seen them in real life.


Because I shop at Walmart, Target or Hot Topic? :ooh:

[Rain]

Thanks, Sandie! :lafhard:

Redbark, I obviously have no idea where you shop. I only meant they aren't as widely available as styles you'd find in those (or any) national chains.

[redbark]

Tee Hee!

I know what you meant. Sometimes I cannot let go of a ripe opportunity to have a li'l fun.

Thank you for enlightening me about the spirals :flower: I have yet to form a opinion of them. Right now... only my curiosity is piqued.

[Pegasus Marsters]

Thank you Kimberlily.

But why did you stretch your earlobes to wear 12g? Why wouldn't you wear 10g for example? Is there a difference? Apart from thickness I assume... does the thickness result in a better look? Am I missing something?

I'll try answering this one... ok, i'm sure you know that the higher the number, the smaller the actual jewellery. A 20 is smaller than an 18, which is smaller than 16. I know, it makes no sense. If you didn't know I just wanted to make sure you did.

At a 12g you still have the ability to wear regular earrings without your piercing looking all stretched out and weird. HTH!

Also the only time mine ever poke my neck is lately when I try and sleep on them. I've been unwell alot and the glands in my neck are all like "LULZ WE'RE GONNA SWELL UP!" so I get jabbed by the earrings a little... but this is only recent. I slept in them nightly for atleast a year or more before that.

Rain: Your daughter looks cute with her nose ring! ^.^

Chrissy: Don't worry too much about the piercings being done with a gun. Lots of us here had our ears pierced intitially with guns before we knew better and as far as I know we're all fine. Just remember to pay a bit more for someone properly trained to use a needle next time ^.^

[Isilme]

Chrissy, I'm with Pegs, just keep an extra eye on it and make sure to clean it well. But I have to ask, if someone like Chrissy got her ears pierced with a gun without knowing better. Wouldn't it be a good idea to visit a piercing shop and have them change the jewellery to something better suited for healing?

[Pegasus Marsters]

I guess she could always get it changed for a bcr or something but I healed mine just fine with the earrings they were pierced with. It probably would do the piercing some good to have more suitable jewellery though. If she doesn't fancy heading to a piercing shop then she could probably order some bcrs and change them herself at home.

I have to say though... be sure to use salt water. That solution they give you to clean the piercings with stings like hell and doesn't do any good to the piercings. I had my ears pierced with a gun when I was 7 and they've healed up just fine, even after I stretched them to 12ga. I just ideally wouldn't do it again. Most people I know do get thier ears pierced with guns just because it's so much cheaper.

[Chrissy]

Thanks you guys! I will try a salt water solution. Also what is a bcr? I'm not as knowledgeable as you all. I do feel much better now! Do you remember how long it is before they don't feel tender anymore? I'm sure everyone heals at a different pace. Me slower because of my diabetes.

[Wind Dragon]

But I have to ask, if someone like Chrissy got her ears pierced with a gun without knowing better. Wouldn't it be a good idea to visit a piercing shop and have them change the jewellery to something better suited for healing?
It might be a good idea if the hypothetical s/he seems to be having trouble healing, indicating a possible sensitivity to the metal(s) in the piercing earrings. I had my first lobe holes re-pierced with what was advertised as titanium earrings, but finally realized that while the earrings and posts might be titanium, the backs were not, and were giving me no end of trouble. I went ahead and traded them out for CBRs, and they healed up almost immediately.

[Pegasus Marsters]

Thanks you guys! I will try a salt water solution. Also what is a bcr? I'm not as knowledgeable as you all. I do feel much better now! Do you remember how long it is before they don't feel tender anymore? I'm sure everyone heals at a different pace. Me slower because of my diabetes.

A BCR is a ball closure ring. They look like this:

http://www.tajarts.co.uk/shopimages/products/thumbnails/NCTTth.jpg

[Isilme]

http://www.bodyartforms.com/ look at captives. You have to find out what gauge you need. And be prepared that without ring openers they can be a bit hard to open and close. A circular barbell would is easier to use though.

[Isilme]

ah, sorry, I was trying to give Chrissy advise but wasn't sure if it was a good idea to change or not.

[Wind Dragon]

A BCR is a ball closure ring. They look like this:

http://www.tajarts.co.uk/shopimages/products/thumbnails/NCTTth.jpg

Ayup, and a CBR (captive ball ring) is exactly the same thing.

[kimberlily]

Thank you Kimberlily.

But why did you stretch your earlobes to wear 12g? Why wouldn't you wear 10g for example? Is there a difference? Apart from thickness I assume... does the thickness result in a better look? Am I missing something?

I stretched to 12g because that is the smallest that the large spirals came in. I didn't want to stretch so big that I wouldn't be able to wear regular earrings.

[redbark]

I'll try answering this one... ok, i'm sure you know that the higher the number, the smaller the actual jewellery. A 20 is smaller than an 18, which is smaller than 16. I know, it makes no sense. If you didn't know I just wanted to make sure you did.

At a 12g you still have the ability to wear regular earrings without your piercing looking all stretched out and weird. HTH!

Also the only time mine ever poke my neck is lately when I try and sleep on them. I've been unwell alot and the glands in my neck are all like "LULZ WE'RE GONNA SWELL UP!" so I get jabbed by the earrings a little... but this is only recent. I slept in them nightly for atleast a year or more before that.

^.^

Thank you Peg :flower:

You are right- I had no idea 12g was thinner than 10. I thought the reverse.

My wonderment was about why would people go to the length of getting their piercing look "all stretched out and weird" (as you said) just to be able to wear the goddess spirals.

I didn't see their appeal enough (forgive me) to go to the trouble of stretching my lobes out and not be able to wear other earrings. Also I think they are expensive (right?). And they seem to limit the look - like you would wear the same look day in and day out?

Instead of experimenting with so many sparklies and designs out there.....so I was intrigued.

[Isilme]

at 12 gauge most wooden and horn or bone jewellery starts, that was what got me into stretching:) I love my black floral twists and coconut spirals. And I have always hated the look of having something pretty hanging from your ears, only to fasten it in the holes with an ugly hook

[getoffmyskittle]

My wonderment was about why would people go to the length of getting their piercing look "all stretched out and weird" (as you said) just to be able to wear the goddess spirals.

12g doesn't make your piercings look "all stretched out and weird." Are your ears pierced, and do you wear Indian style earrings? Those usually run between 16g and 14g. 12g is only one step up from that.

I didn't see their appeal enough (forgive me) to go to the trouble of stretching my lobes out and not be able to wear other earrings. Also I think they are expensive (right?). And they seem to limit the look - like you would wear the same look day in and day out?

You can wear other earrings. They may be expensive but I haven't bought a single other pair since I got them. But if you don't like it or whatever, that's your prerogative.

Now, for grins, let's change this up a little and see how it reads...

Why do you grow your hair long? Why would you go to the length of caring for it? Most people have their hair short, don't you think it looks weird long? And don't you spend a lot of money on shampoo and hair toys and stuff? And doesn't that limit the look? When you have short hair, you can blowdry and curl and straighten and get something different cut into it every few months, but when it is long it is just long and hangs there and looks boring and exactly the same all the time...

I guess my basic point is that I'm kind of astounded by the level of curiosity and effort that you're investing in questioning other people's personal choices (while backhandedly slamming those choices), and well, why do you care?

[snowbear]

The kid's new nostril (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/c20595db.jpg). 20g fixed bead ring, for now. Something is weird with the lighting. Her hair is not yellow at the top. :)
Way cute! I like the ring.

[Isilme]

just a quick question, if I pierce my nostril and want to oil my face as I do every day, would I just avoid the piercing or would it be ok if it got some oil on it? I only use pure vegetable oils like jojoba, sea buckthorn, olive oil etc. How about if I have some EO's in the oils?

[kimberlily]

Isilme, I'd avoid it. You're not supposed to put anything on a fresh piercing except for sea salt and whatever you're cleaning it with. Occasionally emu oil can be used since it has anti-inflammatory properties (I use it on my helix because it is cranky and healing slowly so my piercer recommended it). I'd definitely avoid EO's since they could irritate a fresh piercing.

Really, it isn't hard to avoid getting stuff on a nostril piercing, in my experience :) The only PITA is that it is harder to get rid of blackheads on that side of my nose ;)

[Isilme]

ah, I see, thanks. I'll just have to be more careful when oiling. I have to live with a flaky nose then;) oh, and I thought the soap they give you when you get pierced was especially designed to get rid of blackheads?;)

[kimberlily]

Ha. Don't I wish :lol:

[getoffmyskittle]

Really, it isn't hard to avoid getting stuff on a nostril piercing, in my experience :) The only PITA is that it is harder to get rid of blackheads on that side of my nose ;)
Want to know something REALLY weird? I used to get tons of blackheads on the sides of my nose. Since I got my nostril pierced, I've had a grand total of ONE.

Yeah, I can't figure it out. Maybe I should get my cheeks, chin, and forehead pierced too.

[kimberlily]

Hmm, I wonder if you have a magic stud or something. I've got to get one of those.

[kwaniesiam]

Emu oil is safe for fresh piercings, but anything else I definitely would avoid getting near it.

[redbark]

12g doesn't make your piercings look "all stretched out and weird." Are your ears pierced, and do you wear Indian style earrings? Those usually run between 16g and 14g. 12g is only one step up from that.



You can wear other earrings. They may be expensive but I haven't bought a single other pair since I got them. But if you don't like it or whatever, that's your prerogative.

Now, for grins, let's change this up a little and see how it reads...

Why do you grow your hair long? Why would you go to the length of caring for it? Most people have their hair short, don't you think it looks weird long? And don't you spend a lot of money on shampoo and hair toys and stuff? And doesn't that limit the look? When you have short hair, you can blowdry and curl and straighten and get something different cut into it every few months, but when it is long it is just long and hangs there and looks boring and exactly the same all the time...

I guess my basic point is that I'm kind of astounded by the level of curiosity and effort that you're investing in questioning other people's personal choices (while backhandedly slamming those choices), and well, why do you care?

Skitts,

You couldn't have been more wrong had you tried!!!!!

And frankly you are being rude!

I am curious because I am very much into earrings and am considering getting my nostril pierced. But I am at the very nascent phase of my own desire.

Am at the edge of the water and testing it out and asking a lot of questions - to see if I may feel stronger (or run away from it) with the combined input from various members here.

That said - in LHC too I was curious about the Goddess spirals...

I know I may be protesting too loud but before I jumped on to the CV bandwagon I asked a ton of questions about "what the whole deal" was....
Ruminated for ages..before I took the plunge.

That's just me - thank you very much!!!

[getoffmyskittle]

Skitts,

You couldn't have been more wrong had you tried!!!!!

And frankly you are being rude!

I am curious because I am very much into earrings and am considering getting my nostril pierced. But I am at the very nascent phase of my own desire.

Am at the edge of the water and testing it out and asking a lot of questions - to see if I may feel stronger (or run away from it) with the combined input from various members here.

That said - in LHC too I was curious about the Goddess spirals...

I know I may be protesting too loud but before I jumped on to the CV bandwagon I asked a ton of questions about "what the whole deal" was....
Ruminated for ages..before I took the plunge.

That's just me - thank you very much!!!

Funnily enough, dozens of people asked these types of questions on the goddess spirals thread at LHC without coming off as insulting and derogatory.

The language you used was, however much you protest the intent, insulting. "My wonderment was about why would people go to the length of getting their piercing look "all stretched out and weird" (as you said) just to be able to wear the goddess spirals." and "I didn't see their appeal enough (forgive me) to go to the trouble of stretching my lobes out and not be able to wear other earrings. Also I think they are expensive (right?). And they seem to limit the look - like you would wear the same look day in and day out?" (My thought process while reading that: Your wonderment? Okay... go to the length of making the piercing look all stretched out and weird? ... okayyy... not appealing? >_____> Well, we obviously think they are. ... expensive? Yes, but worth it... limit the look... well good God then just don't get them, we don't need a lecture on why they are unattractive and unappealing!)

Here's phrasing that would have communicated what you say your intent was without making it look like body mod bashing:

"So, did all of you stretch your piercings so that you could wear the goddess spirals? Are you still able to wear other earrings without having really stretched out looking holes?"

Internet? Requires clarity of communication. Otherwise things like this happen.

[redbark]

As I wrote earlier Getoffmyskittle - if anything ...I am secretly hoping to get enabled!!!!

I remember in LHC too I kept asking questions about what the deal was about a Ficcare but see no one there had a chip on their shoulder like you seem to (about being pierced).

Maybe you ought to take a look at yourself!

And truth be told I am drooling over this pic http://www.bodyartforms.com/gallery/enlarge.asp?ID=493 but am unable right now (because I am so new at all these) to summon the courage to wear them.

Hence my hesitant posturing - am hoping that maybe someone can force me into the other side - the world of ficcares and spirals!

You are rude and seem to have issues. I see no reason why you need to get on the soapbox everytime you misunderstand someone (and I have seen you do it often)

I suggest you keep your nastiness to yourself and stop polluting the atmosphere!

And P.S. the "stretched out and weird" were Pegs words...I was quoting her.

[kwaniesiam]

*enables!!!*

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/KyanAdiel/BAFstuff009.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/KyanAdiel/BAFstuff008.jpg

Those are my favorite earrings I have, then my spirally collection, although I don't own any Little7. Top middle and right are 4g, rest 6g... Currently I downsized to 6g though, my ears started acting up randomly. I never liked regular earrings and the jewerly available for stretched lobes appealed to me much more. I hope to go to 1/2" someday :grinhappy:

...where's the cheese when you need it. >.<

[redbark]

*enables!!!*

snip

...where's the cheese when you need it. >.<

I apologize kwaniesiam,

I will accept your cheese.

And yes - those are some gorgeous earrings! I am going through big-time drooling here.

[snowbear]

...where's the cheese when you need it. >.<
For a second I thought you were talking about
modblog.bmezine.com/2008/02/05/advice-from-your-mother/
(WARNING: VERY NSFW & DISGUSTING PICTURE!!!) from ModBlog. Then I realized I was wrong. Heh.

[redbark]

Am I missing something?

I see a poor lady with a very angry ear. What's disgusting about it? And some posters have commented about ...err... seeing through her tunnel. I cannot.....

Her ear just seems very red - is all. Makes me think "ouch" rather than "eeeww"

[snowbear]

It's full of built-up ear cheese. From the looks of it, it hasn't been washed in weeks. Hence my relating it to kwaniesiam's cheese comment.

[anna84]

redbark it's just cause your new to learning about piercings. That womans ear is a absolute disaster. I have no idea how she let it get that bad. It'd red and crusty because it seems like she stretched to fast and she definetely hasn't been cleaing it.....ugh lol nice snowbear I was about to go get a midnight snack =P

Wow I missed this thread, used to be ajr on long hair board. I've got my left ear with 3 lobe piercings now at 10, 12, and 14. And I have a 14 guage orbital in my right ear thats in the crusty phase right now.

So request anyone with nostril piercings want to post a picture =). I'm debating and I miss all the pics on the old thread. And question if someone has a slightly crooked nose should said girl not call attention to it, or say to hell with it if it's gonna be crooked it might as well be shiny =)

[Isilme]

oooh, the black floral twists! I have them in 12g and they are gorgeous! A little bit thin, but not fragile looking. Just remember to be careful with them and oil!

[Altocumulus]

at 12 gauge most wooden and horn or bone jewellery starts, that was what got me into stretching:) I love my black floral twists and coconut spirals. And I have always hated the look of having something pretty hanging from your ears, only to fasten it in the holes with an ugly hook

Not to mention that the ugly hooks slowly tear through your lobes, elongating the original piercing (think of cutting cheese with a wire). That's what happened to me - all of those heavy earrings with thin french wire-type hooks gradually stretched my holes, but not in a nice symmetric, round way. So I ended up with 12g holes, but vertical slits instead of round holes. I started wearing larger gauge jewelry because it looked better. Then I liked the look so much that I stretched to 8g, but I can still wear my 10 and 12g jewelry in them.

[Pegasus Marsters]

redbark it's just cause your new to learning about piercings. That womans ear is a absolute disaster. I have no idea how she let it get that bad. It'd red and crusty because it seems like she stretched to fast and she definetely hasn't been cleaing it.....ugh lol nice snowbear I was about to go get a midnight snack =P


So request anyone with nostril piercings want to post a picture =). I'm debating and I miss all the pics on the old thread. And question if someone has a slightly crooked nose should said girl not call attention to it, or say to hell with it if it's gonna be crooked it might as well be shiny =)


I agree with this completely. Her ear is a terrifying disaster and I have no idea how she got ear cheese INSIDE her tunnels. *shudder*

As for having a crooked nose... to hell with it! Decorate it and make it as shiny as you want! ^.^

Redbark, Skitts... there's no need to fight about all this. Redbark is pretty new to the world of piercings and just worded things a bit wrong. She didn't mean to cause offence, I'm sure... and yes 'stretched out and weird' was my choice of phrase. I admit that at first I was coming in from Redbarks POV on stretched ears... I was scared I couldn't wear my regular earrings anymore, etc etc. Of course I then found that I loved my spirals so much I don't WANT to wear regular earrings.

Chill out guys, eh? :) Have some ear cheese! ;)

[kimberlily]

Okay. Trial by fire, huh? I'm stepping in as a mod for the first time here, so bear with me!

I have read all of the posts made in the discussion with redbark with interest. There was nothing anti-piercing about her posts. She was asking questions. Several times on the LHC piercing thread, people HAVE been deorgatory about piercing, without anyone getting angry. The usual response is "I'm not here to decorate your world", right?

Now, that said, there's no reason this thread needs to turn nasty. It is intended as a place to gather to discuss piercings. That includes questions posed by folk who are not pierced and are curious about it.

We all need to remember that sometimes it is easy, online, to take someone's words in a way that was not intended. I don't believe that redbark meant to come off as though she thought piercings are disgusting.

Additionally, I would like to remind everyone of the first part of the community guidelines (http://chatter.thebeautybottle.com/showthread.php?t=1313).

1. Please KNIT. Is your post . . .
Kind?
Necessary?
Informative?
True?Like our mothers always used to say, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Name calling and personal attacks are not allowed. Please address the content of the post without being inflammatory.

And Pegs? Thanks for the ear cheese *shudder*

:lol:

[Pegasus Marsters]

Great post Kimberlilly and thank you! ^.^ And enjoy your ear cheese!

[kimberlily]

So request anyone with nostril piercings want to post a picture =). I'm debating and I miss all the pics on the old thread. And question if someone has a slightly crooked nose should said girl not call attention to it, or say to hell with it if it's gonna be crooked it might as well be shiny =)
Here's mine :) My nose is slightly crooked, but I think I'm the only one who has ever noticed ;)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/kimberlily74/avatar011808.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/kimberlily74/Picture-137.jpg
Sorry this one is so big!

[Pegasus Marsters]

Here are pictures of my nose piercing.

This one has an interesting angle and shows my tattoo being done but it was the first I came across that clearly showed my nose ring

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/tat8.jpg

and here's another one... I miss this hair! :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/pegasusmarsters/2-1.jpg

[anna84]

And add a another piercing to my list of things to have. Evil enablers. Hehe your guys piercings look perfect on you.

[Evie]

Hi
Just wanted to add for redbark - I asked loads of questions about stretching piercings when I first thought about it.
I've stretched my lower lobes to 12g, and the upper ones to 14g. They have now healed at these sizes, and I can change them for 'regular' jewellery (i.e. all of the shiny pretties I had before) and then go back to my little sevens / spirals / plugs whenever I want.
I have found that I have no problems with my ears looking stretched when I wear regular earrings, they still look fine - this was important to me, some special people in my life had spent quite a bit on some lovely earrings (like the ones my mum bought for my wedding) and I wanted to be sure I could still wear them. I can.
Also, I used to get problems with my second lobes - they'd get sore etc. Now, after stretching, they are so much happier, and I don't get problems any more!
I did my stretching very, very slowly. I am very cautious about anything, so I was careful. It was fine. It did not hurt me, just felt a bit, kind of hot, when I first did it. Nothing more. I cleaned carefully with sea salt soaks. Within about 2 weeks, my ears were back to normal.

PS - as an aside to those who might be able to remember how I hummed and haahed about getting my nose pierced and then went for it - it is healing up well, and coming up for 12 weeks post piercing! Yay!! And family love it, it is so neat that many don't notice it....it is a kind of martini glass shape so it sits in neat to my nose, my piercer and I discussed how careful I would have to be to keep it clean, and I have.....will post some pics now it is nearly healed v soon - then you can all see the now short hair, too!
PPS - Pegs, I loved that shot of your hair with the blonde colour! And I love the dark colour too - you seem to be one of those lucky people who can get away with any shade...

[kwaniesiam]

I need to get a good picture of my nose up once my prettier jewelry comes in.

redbark, I didn't mean for the cheese to be directed at you, I just didn't see the point of bickering :)

Speaking of cheese...that tunnel is disgusting. Almost as bad as this one. (NSFW or if you have a weak stomach!)

modblog.bmezine.com/2006/10/31/the-grossest-picture-ill-ever-post/

My mum's ears are scaring me. She's had them pierced for ever and always wears heavy dangly earrings. They've stretched out a bit and are very thin on the bottom, but thinks my larger holes are disgusting and won't hear a word about upping to at least a 14g. I even offered to change her dangly hooks to cbrs so she could still wear them. :whyme: Oh well, they're her ears. I did what I could.

[kimberlily]

My eyes are bleeding. Thanks for that, kwaniesiam ;)

[anna84]

gods I remember that picture. It's one of the few times an image made me dry heave. How could that happen, I mean theres no way a person that filthy could walk around among other people. The smell alone would be a public hazard.

[kwaniesiam]

My eyes are bleeding. Thanks for that, kwaniesiam ;)

Hey you didn't HAVE to click the link. You're welcome though :grinhappy:

I'm thinking about a daith...does anyone here have one and can give me some input? It wouldn't be for another month or so, but my mum promised me I could get 2 cartilage piercings for Christmas and I only went for one at a time since an industrial is a big job to heal.

[kimberlily]

:lol: I'm hopelessly curious. I can't stop myself from clicking!

[anna84]

Uhm I have a rook, but two of my friends have their daiths pierced. It seemed like it was pretty tricky to do a sea salt soak cause it's so in your ear. But the bonus of that is nothing really bumps it, doesn't get caught on anything, and they could sleep on it. Both of them said healing was pretty painless.

[Medievalsilver]

Here are my double ear piercing(camera phone pic):
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/Writer-glitter/Earrings.jpg

[Evie]

Very pretty medievalsilver - what are the stones?

[Chrissy]

Hi guys. I was in a Video store the other day and the girl who waited on me had a stud piercing in each cheek. I have never seen this before. Does it have a name, like for instance I know what a Monroe piercing is. Or is this just something she did on her own? I didn't like it personally and I like piercings. Clue me in if you can. Oh it kind of looked like where dimples would be if she had them. Thanks!

[kimberlily]

Chrissy, here's a wiki about cheek piercing... commonly it is done using a labret, like a Monroe, but some are done with a dermal anchor, if I'm not mistaken.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheek_piercing

[Rain]

Way cute! I like the ring.

Thanks!

just a quick question, if I pierce my nostril and want to oil my face as I do every day, would I just avoid the piercing or would it be ok if it got some oil on it? I only use pure vegetable oils like jojoba, sea buckthorn, olive oil etc. How about if I have some EO's in the oils?

I take off my makeup every night with coconut oil and it hasn't been a problem. I do not avoid my nostril piercings. I wear makeup including on the nostrils and it needs to come off. I'm just careful around the jewelry to try to avoid snagging it on a cloth. I'm not oiling the piercings but I'm sure a small bit of oil gets in there. I would avoid EOs in an open wound though.

For a second I thought you were talking about
modblog.bmezine.com/2008/02/05/advice-from-your-mother/
(WARNING: VERY NSFW & DISGUSTING PICTURE!!!) from ModBlog. Then I realized I was wrong. Heh.

I hate acrylic.

So request anyone with nostril piercings want to post a picture =). I'm debating and I miss all the pics on the old thread. And question if someone has a slightly crooked nose should said girl not call attention to it, or say to hell with it if it's gonna be crooked it might as well be shiny =)

Mine:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_77013edc.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/77013edc.jpg)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_d84004ad.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/d84004ad.jpg)

My kid's:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_12658be6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/12658be6.jpg)

Here's mine :) My nose is slightly crooked, but I think I'm the only one who has ever noticed ;)

Everyone's is. No one has a perfectly symmetrical face.

Hi guys. I was in a Video store the other day and the girl who waited on me had a stud piercing in each cheek. I have never seen this before. Does it have a name, like for instance I know what a Monroe piercing is. Or is this just something she did on her own? I didn't like it personally and I like piercings. Clue me in if you can. Oh it kind of looked like where dimples would be if she had them. Thanks!

They're cheek piercings. Sometimes people call them their dimple piercings.

[justgreen]

Yeah, Chelsia on Big Brother has one and I like hers. *cheek piercing*

[Chrissy]

Thanks for the info guys.

[SueBee]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_77013edc.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/77013edc.jpg)Rain - Please forgive me for sounding sappy, and maybe I'm wrong, but this picture reminds me of someone who loves and respects her honey so much. Sweet.
...piercings are purdy sweet, too.

[Medievalsilver]

Very pretty medievalsilver - what are the stones?

The top is a blue cz in my orginal studs(tintanium), the bottom is blue tintanium studs. Although I need to get some 14k white and yellow gold studs.
I can't wear two different metals at the same time, because of the way I got them pierced. The bottom was pierced with 14k yellow gold, the top is tintanium, both were pierced at claires. Both ears have two piercing each.

[Cinnamon Hair]

Kwanie, I love love love the kickass sexy black horn spiraly things! Consider me enabled. *adds to wish list* One question.. do you have trouble with them catching/tangling in your hair? Though I would probably only wear them with updos, so I guess it's not a huge deal. Need a link please!

*enables!!!*

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a90/KyanAdiel/BAFstuff009.jpg

[kwaniesiam]

The way they hang, I haven't had problems with them catching on my hair. They're definitely my favorite pair though, and I'm glad I could enable someone :grinhappy:

[CryssieWillow]

I am not a happy pierced camper. :-(
I think I had something coming up in the range of flue or whatever. I had a short-lived headache and the day after my nostril and one of my lobes started oozing laaaarge amounts of pus and blood. Also the helix is bumpy and auchy. My nostril is infected and has developed some kind of blow out on the outside. The lobe is infected as well.
It is also EXTREMELY inconvenient because I am starting my new job in 2 weeks and all these piercings will need either a jewelry change or be taken out.
I went to see the doctor and I am treating it now with antibiotics and religious seasalt soaking.
I just hope that my immune system has defeated the incoming attack of the flue virus and now can get back to healing the piercings....
*pretty please!*

[kwaniesiam]

I am not a happy pierced camper. :-(
I think I had something coming up in the range of flue or whatever. I had a short-lived headache and the day after my nostril and one of my lobes started oozing laaaarge amounts of pus and blood. Also the helix is bumpy and auchy. My nostril is infected and has developed some kind of blow out on the outside. The lobe is infected as well.
It is also EXTREMELY inconvenient because I am starting my new job in 2 weeks and all these piercings will need either a jewelry change or be taken out.
I went to see the doctor and I am treating it now with antibiotics and religious seasalt soaking.
I just hope that my immune system has defeated the incoming attack of the flue virus and now can get back to healing the piercings....
*pretty please!*

If they are infected, do NOT take them out. That will trap the infection inside. Leave it in so it can drain, the antibiotics should clear it up. My piercings get pissy when I'm sick too. Just keep up the sea salt soaks. A nostril blowout? Are you sure it isn't just a bump? Try chamomile compresses for that. Make some chamomile tea, and hold the teabag over the piercing until it cools. HTH and hope you feel better :)

[CryssieWillow]

Thanks :)
I will defenitely not take them out but I will have to change jewelry, kinda no choice in that department since I am going to work at an archeological theme parc as a woman from dutch prehistory. And they did not have helixes or sparkly nose studs...
The infected lobe, I want to retire that one anyways.... Just need to figure out when.

I am sure it is not a normal bump because it is red and shiny tissue coming out of the piercing. I think it is infected tissue that looked for the easiest way out and that was not by swelling under the skin appearantly. I just hope it will heal properly, because it looks kinda disgusting..... :whyme:

[Pegasus Marsters]

Head to your piercer, girly. See what they have to say about whatever the heck is going on with your piercings.

[Rain]

Rain - Please forgive me for sounding sappy, and maybe I'm wrong, but this picture reminds me of someone who loves and respects her honey so much. Sweet.
...piercings are purdy sweet, too.

That is exactly what that is. :soppy: Thank you. :lafhard:

CryssieWillow (http://chatter.thebeautybottle.com/member.php?u=1245), it's not uncommon for piercings to act up if your body has other issues to deal with. They are probably irritated rather than infected but if they are infected, removing the jewelry is the worst thing you could do. You would trap the infection and a cyst could form. With the jewelry in place, the infection can drain. I think you should see your piercer before making a decision.

[snowbear]

Rain - Please forgive me for sounding sappy, and maybe I'm wrong, but this picture reminds me of someone who loves and respects her honey so much. Sweet.
...piercings are purdy sweet, too.
They are adorable together in real life, too. :grinhappy:

[Rain]

They are adorable together in real life, too. :grinhappy:

Well, heck. :blush:

[snowbear]

Well, heck. :blush:
Seriously. Your entire family is adorable.

[CryssieWillow]

I know I know.
Nothing is coming out until it is healed.
But jewelry changes are coming up. Glaswear nose screw has been arranged. :)

[Pegasus Marsters]

So like... my grandmother just sent me £50 to make up for how she FORGOT it was my birthday. And I'm contemplating spending £30 of it on a septum piercing. But I have a sinus infection going on right now that I think I need to clear up first... that said I have pretty chronic sinusitis and I doubt it'll ever properly clear up I've had it for so long now.

[CryssieWillow]

oooh, septum would look so sweet on you!

I got my nose screw exchanged for a cbr today.
The jewelry was in the way of the healing, I could not clean under it, dry it or apply the antibiotics.
So.....
The bump is bigger then I thought, it looks kinda disgusting.... :ooh:
The ring itself does not look as silly as I thought it might.
Anyhow, I have made an appointment to get the glass screw put in in 2 weeks, as late as possible.
For now I am going to baby my poor nose.

[kimberlily]

Poor CryssieWillow! I hope the healing isn't as bad as you think it will be, and that the CBR does the trick for you.

Pegs, I'd wait until the sinus infection clears up, if I were you.

ETA: I got my new Glasswear plugs today. 12g Indigo. They're pretty, and sparkly :D The fronts are bigger than on my 12g Ocean Sparkle plugs too, which is good... more colour!

[kwaniesiam]

Ooh I love colorfronts, congrats Kimberlilly :)

Pegs you have to get a septum as soon as that sinus infection clears up. Septums are definitely my favorite facial piercing.

I'm retiring my second and third lobe holes. They're placed really badly from being gunned a long time ago, and I've also stretched them to 10 and 12g. Hopefully they'll mostly close up, I want them nice and shrunken for when I get scalpelled in August.

[EllisGurl]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_77013edc.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/77013edc.jpg)



AWWWWWWW!!!

My kid's:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/th_12658be6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/bluecelt/12658be6.jpg)


and Aww again!!! Chicago's nose is so cute. I wish my parents had been as progressive and you are!!!

[Rain]

AWWWWWWW!!!



and Aww again!!! Chicago's nose is so cute. I wish my parents had been as progressive and you are!!!

Thanks! I don't think I'm progressive, really. I just understand why she'd want it done. And I know she did it in a safe way. She goes to school with kids who do it themselves or get gunned at Claire's. In the face. Yikes.

[snowbear]

Thanks! I don't think I'm progressive, really. I just understand why she'd want it done. And I know she did it in a safe way. She goes to school with kids who do it themselves or get gunned at Claire's. In the face. Yikes.
GUNNED?! I though Claire's only does ears!

[kimberlily]

Gawd. That's scary.

[Rain]

Claire's official policy may be that they only do ears but Chicago's got friends who have gotten their noses gunned there. And it is scary.

[kwaniesiam]

Ew I can't even fathom how much that would hurt. The company that makes those evil devices even warn not to use them anywhere except earlobes (which are still a bad idea). Couldn't someone do something about it, since they are misusing them and could cause a lot of damage?