Okay, folks, let’s talk about my little adventure with a cheek piercing and a barbell.
So, I’ve always been into body mods, and cheek piercings have always fascinated me. I finally decided to take the plunge. The first step? Finding a piercer I trusted. This is NOT something you want to cheap out on, seriously. I did my research, looked at portfolios, read reviews, the whole nine yards. Eventually, I found a piercer with a solid reputation, and her studio was spotless, which is a big plus.
Once I got to the studio, we chatted about placement and jewelry. We decided on a straight barbell for the initial piercing. A ring isn’t ideal, there is more friction on the piercing hole. I picked out a simple titanium one – titanium is your best friend for new piercings because it’s hypoallergenic.
The Piercing Process
Honestly, the anticipation was worse than the actual piercing. My piercer marked the spots with a purple marker, making sure everything was symmetrical. This part took a while; we tweaked the placement a few times until I was completely happy. Then, she cleaned the area thoroughly.
Then came the needle. It was quick! One sharp pinch, and it was done. The other side was the same deal. It’s hard to describe the sensation; it’s not exactly painful, more like intense pressure. But it’s over in seconds. Then the piercer put the barbel on.
- First, my piercer mark the placement spots.
- Then, I chose the titanium barbell.
- Next, cleaning the area.
- The needle piercing.
- Put the barbell on.
Aftercare
Aftercare is where the real work begins. My piercer gave me a detailed rundown of what to do (and what NOT to do). The main things are:
- Cleaning: I use a saline solution (basically, saltwater) to clean the piercings twice a day.
- Avoiding Irritation: No touching! Seriously, leave them alone as much as possible. Also, be careful when sleeping; I try to sleep on my back to avoid putting pressure on them.
- Patience: These things take time to heal. Like, months.
The first few days were the roughest. There was some swelling and tenderness, and it felt a little weird to smile. But the saline soaks helped a lot, and the discomfort gradually faded. It’s been a few weeks now, and they’re feeling pretty good. Still a long way to go in the healing process, but I’m definitely happy with my decision.
I wanted to swap out the jewelry, but I didn’t want to mess with it when the piercing hole. So, I went back to the studio for help. And now, it looks great.
If you’re considering cheek piercings, my biggest advice is to do your homework. Find a reputable piercer, be prepared for a commitment to aftercare, and be patient. It’s a process, but for me, it’s been totally worth it!
