Title: Secret Smiley
Author: Cristina
Complications: Migration due to my own stupidity
End Result: It healed great, but ended up migrating
Happy with the Result: Very much so
Date Done: January 7th, 2004
Story: I had pierced my smiley a few months before this attempt, and it didn't turn out so great, so I ended up retiring it after a day. Even though it turned out badly, I loved having that little hidden piercing that I only knew was there. So, I decided one day that I was going to pierce it again.
The jewelry I used previously was a 14g plug. It didn't work out very well since it was long and made from acrylic. I bought a 16g curved barbell for my rook but never ended up using it. I took it out of its packaging and soaked it in alcohol, along with the 18g needle. I didn't have a 16g needle, so I decided to pierce at 18g and stretch to 16g with a safety pin I had. I washed the needle and the barbell with antibacterial soap after soaking, washed my hand and laid out everything on a clean towel in my bathroom.
Piercing it was a bit tricky. I sat on the counter about 2 inches away from the mirror so I could see exactly what I was doing. I held my lip up with my left hand and quickly pushed the needle through a predetermined spot in my smiley. It didn't really hurt, just a quick pinch. I pulled out the 18g needle and pushed the 16g pin through to stretch the hole. This was the easy part. The hard part was getting the barbell in. Since I was slightly shaky, I kept trying to put the barbell in on an angle. It took a little bit to get it in straight, and at this point, my smiley started to swell. The 3mm ball took about 15 or 20 minutes to screw on. I was so relieved after this, and very proud. My smiley was throbbing a bit, and continued to do so for the next couple of days. Cold water was god-sent during this time.
Aftercare was simple - diluted Listerine twice a day and a rinse with water after I ate or drank anything that wasn't water for 2 weeks. It healed up quickly and never once gave me problems. After almost 1 1/2 - 2 months, it started to migrate. Why? Because I was constatntly playing with it. I would pull on the barbell with my tongue which not only caused migration but some nice lumps of scar tissue. The best thing for me to do was to retire it. It's been 2 months and the lumps of scar tissue are completely gone. I really miss that little piece of metal under my lip. It represented the courage I had to pierce myself. People really got a kick out of seeing it, and were amazed that I actually pierced it myself. I plan on re-piercing it again...I can't wait.
Needle: Sewing needle/pin
Gauge: 18G
Purchased: Unknown
Cost: Unknown
Jewelry: 3/8 " SSS curved barbell
Gauge: 16g
Purchased: Green Earth (body jewelry store/stand)
Cost: $10
Aftercare: Diluted Listerine
Purchased: Shopper's Drug Mart
Cost: $2.99
TOTAL COST: $15 (estimate)
| Webpage: IAM page |
| Bio: I'm 17 years old, living in Toronto, Canada. I love body modifications of any kind; they are beautiful and a special way for a person to express themself. I pierced myself because I wanted to see if I had the courage, and also because I love smiley piercings. |