How I did it: The first time I saw this piercing, I just knew I had to get it. And this was a big deal for me! Partly because more than 89% of the times I say these things, it never actually happens. So when I quit swimming a year later, I knew NOTHING stood in my way (pool with 3078419 swimmers + piercing = hella unsanitary). I did some research and found a credible place downtown. Since I was only 17, I needed someone of legal age to accompany me. Thankfully, my sister came home that summer. I may or may not have lured her into a sisterly shopping spree to get her down there. But once I spilled the beans, she was quite supportive of me.

When I got to the place, my piercing-laden piercer explained to me very carefully what he was going to do and how I should treat it afterwards. Apparently, the daith was his "specialty". Lucky me! I lied down with my chosen ear up and the needle he used was curved (!!!). I just kept telling myself that it'd be over in a flash. That flash was stupidy long. All I felt/heard during that moment was a loud CRUNCH. Like, a bit more dense-sounding than a celery bite - just a healthy crunch (I'm sorry if anyone is eating.) He had to pierce it first, keep the needle in place (which also conveniently collected blood) and then thread the captive bead ring through it. But quite honestly, this whole experience must have taken less than ten minutes for me. Whenever someone mentions it, my whole face just lights up.

OH, I also didn't tell my mom and she was aghast when she saw it. I figured I'd have less resistance if I told her after the fact... and don't get me started on my father. Every time he sees me, he tells me to take it out. LIKE I CAN, DAD!!

Lessons & tips: Treat it like any other flu shot if you're slightly apprehensive about needles (like me) - grit your teeth and bear through it. You're a lot stronger than you think.

Resources: The place I went to gave me a complimentary antiseptic bar of soap for it.

If it's infected, home remedies include: soaking it in a sea salt solution or tea-tree oil.

• I filled the bottom of a cup with some sea salt, poured hot water on it, waited for it to dissolve and cool down a little and then I would just rest my head on the cup with my ear in the solution for a couple minutes. *There might be some overflow of water


• With tea-tree oil, I put some on a q-tip and swabbed the openings of my piercing

On a slightly embarrassing note, I also consulted yahoo answers about my piercing when I knocked it out of place. There is always help out there.

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Oct 06, 2009, 01:50PM PDT | 0 comments | 4 cheers