About a year ago I wrote an article on my experience of getting my nape pierced. I completely forgot I wrote it and just stumbled across it now. It was posted on BMEZINE.com under the experience section, of course. I read it over and it’s not the greatest writting… not that I write all that well in the first place… but I’ll post it. It’s semi-interesting. Here it is…
Sternum… no wait, I mean Nape!
While browsing BME’s pages, like many, I stumbled across the sternum piercing and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I knew I needed to have it! I researched it extensively and made an appointment to have it done in the next week. I was warned about rejection and the risks associated with surface piercings, but they were all risks I was more than willing to take. It just looked too damn nice.
I had an early appointment, 10:30 am, so I woke up even earlier to make sure I had time to eat a decent breakfast. Once I was all ready I made my way to the shop. I wasn’t nervous at all… until I walked in. Then I was a bit nervous, but I’m sure that’s something most people experience.
I chatted with the person at the front desk (I never got her name, sorry) for a few minutes while Sahaja got everything ready. Finally the time came to sit me down and get me marked. I got cleaned up and Saj meticulously lined everything up, made sure I liked the placement, checked it again and I was ready to go. Next came the clamps. Except, they didn’t come. Or they wouldn’t. I didn’t have enough skin to clamp! And this particular piercing, Saj didn’t do free hand.
Now my options were either to get something else done, or nothing at all. Of course I wasn’t leaving unchanged. Anything on my face wasn’t an option due to work policies. So I opted for another surface piercing, my nape. It was totally spur of the moment, just the way I like things.
I went through the process of marking once again. This time my skin agreed with the clamps. They felt the same way they do with most piercings, uncomfortable. But that is to be expected. And on with the needle we go. I felt it poke as it entered and from there it was mostly a burning sensation with lots of pressure. With the emphasis on the pressure. Once the clamps were off, and the jewelry was in, the burning subsided and I was good to go! It wasn’t as painful as my nipple piercings but I didn’t really consider those painful either.
We went through the aftercare, which was fairly simple. I was warned to be very careful with the piercing as well as the regular stuff like don’t touch it unless you’re cleaning it, wash your hands before cleaning, ect… Also before I left I got an aftercare sheet with a small pouch of unrefined grey sea salt.
Since I was expecting to get my sternum pierced, I had seen just about all the pictures I could find. Now with my nape, I didn’t research it as much and gaze at as many pictures as I would’ve liked to. So when I seen mine for the first time I wasn’t too sure what to expect. But I loved it! I looked really awesome. It definitely made up for any disappointment for not being able to get what I originally sought out for.
I am now on my third day with my nape pierced and everything is going well. I have to get used to sleeping on my side or stomach again. I do sea salt soaks three times daily and clean it once a day in the shower with “Baby’s Own” soap. As far as the sea-salt soaks go, it was interesting trying to find a way to get them done. I could always use paper towels and saturate them with the mixture and go about it that way. But I use a shot glass instead. I fill it up about half way, and to get it on I lean back and sort of suction it on to my neck. Once it’s on I can lean forward while holding it on. It’s complicated at first, and really wet and cold if you don’t get it right, but it gets easier with a little practice.
It’s only been a few days so I can’t offer much advise on the long term repercussions of this piercing but so far I can say that I really like it. It’s aesthetically pleasing and it doesn’t get in the way too often. It does however get in the way sometimes. I have to be careful while brushing my hair and showering. Also, when people come to give you a hug, watch for they’re arms. They often go straight for my neck because I’m a bit sorter than most. And when I was putting my hairnet on for work, I got that caught on the balls. I don’t find that my hair gets caught on it when I wear it down. The only other downfall is that I have to wear a winter coat and the hood rubs up against the piercing sometimes. But that can be avoided. My coat is just really big.
To wrap up this experience, I have to say it was definitely a good one. I am lucky to have a really great studio in my area since I live in Northern Ontario, which doesn’t always offer top quality stuff. I recommend Middle Finger Response to anyone in the area. I didn’t get what I originally wanted but I came out with something just as awesome. I really hope I can heal this piercing and keep for a while. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Either way, I hope it lasts.
If you can’t get what you want, because of your anatomy or some other reason, opt for something else even if it’s spur of the moment. You just might love what you get. I know I certainly do!
