How to get a piercing
How I did it: I pondered piercing my cartilage while I was studying abroad, then chickened out. For another two years, I thought about doing it, and asked friends who had gotten piercings where they got it done, how painful it was, etc.
I read about it extensively, trying to decide the best way to do it. My biggest fear was how painful it was going to be, but I finally figured it couldn't hurt forever.
I got a recommendation for a good piercer from a friend who lived in the area, called the place, and found out their hours. Then I told my boyfriend I was going on a particular day, and would he come too?
So we went, and when we got to the studio I literally felt sick, like I was going to throw up from my fear. I almost blacked out, and had to sit down on the curb. We finally walked in after I calmed down, and it turned out the piercer was out that day. So we rescheduled.
The next time I went in, I was slightly more calm. I filled out the waiver form and told the piercer what I wanted. The piercer, a guy named Gauge at the Devil's Advocate in Santa Barbara, was very professional and explained everything he was going to do. He made a small dot where he was going to pierce me. I squeezed my boyfriend's hand and it was as quick as a shot, and a little less painful!
Lessons & tips: I think all piercings are different, but make sure you are going to a recommended place where the piercer has a good reputation and cleans everything in the autoclave machine.
Get detailed piercing aftercare instructions and follow them exactly. I was religious about soaking my piercing in saline solution and cleaning it, and not touching it otherwise. I talked to other friends whose piercings got infected and had to be removed. Don't let it be you! Taking care of the piercing afterward is a process to be prepared for. It's like taking care of a little baby that needs to be pampered and cleaned each day.
In terms of getting over the fear, just put it in your calendar. Set a date, make an appointment, then go in. That removes the procrastinating. Bring a friend whose hand you can squeeze, that really helps. It's just a day in your life. Today could be that day!
If anything goes wrong, talk to piercers, not doctors. Doctors tend to treat the piercing as a wound and may inadvertently give you advice that leads to scarring rather than leaving the piercing open.
I'd also recommend if you're a first time piercee, don't do anything overly complex. I was considering getting an industrial (two piercings with a bar across your ear), but was glad I just went for the helix piercing (one hoop in the cartilage) because the cartilage can be somewhat time-consuming to take care of initially, and is prone to swelling. One has been enough for me thus far. If you want to do something fancy, you can always do it next time!
Resources: Friends with piercings
The piercing studio
The internet, body modification sites
