My forward helix piercing: One month on

Back at the beginning of August, I finally got another piercing after 16 months needle-free. I settled on a forward helix piercing in my left ear and I am still absolutely in love with it! I thought that it would be nice to give a little run-down of my experience so that anybody else who is thinking of getting it done knows what to expect.

The studio
I went to Punktured in Brighton for my piercing. I love Punktured and it's the only place I'll get pierced. They're very nice in there- Professional but also easy to chat to. It's very clean and it has a friendly, welcoming feel to it. I don't know about you guys, but I do think dark tattoo studios with big, burly men at the helm can be a little intimidating. Punktured is bright pink and turquoise, with glass cabinets of body jewellery covering the walls. As it's a piercing- and body mod- only studio, it feels like they know their stuff a lot more, rather than a tattoo studio that does piercing on the side. 

Punktured charge £25 for any ear piercing with a barbell which is the perfect price point if you ask me. Enough to feel secure but not so much that you feel ripped off. Just make sure you book an appointment in advance as they book up quickly.

The piercing
I was pierced by a very nice guy called Alex, and a girl named Julie sat in too. They were both very funny and we had a great chat about what it's like to be a teacher. Rich sat outside but they're happy for you to bring a friend in with you if you like.

Alex marked three dots on my ear using a pen and, being the fussy thing I am, I didn't like the placement of either of them. He happily marked another three lower down and I chose the one I liked the most.

Being my 26th piercing, I wasn't at all nervous and I was fully prepared for the needle. I'm not going to lie- It took my breath away from the pain. I have a really high pain threshold and piercings don't phase me at all. This one hurt a lot. As a result of the pain, I curled my toes and, in doing so, I got a cramp in my calf. Cramps and needles at the same time? Not nice.

Of course, the pain only lasted a second or so and it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't do it again. Don't freak out if you want it done- I just wasn't prepared, was overconfident and was horribly surprised! 

Alex popped in the barbell- I'd chosen a 1.2mm one when I arrived- and, after a little bit of struggling with the fiddly ball, I was ready to head off, a little bloody but happy with my new baby!

Aftermath
It's a month later and I'm still a bit sensitive where I was pierced. It's still a little uncomfortable to sleep on that ear and it hurts when I catch it with a hairbrush or my glasses. However, it is healing so much easier than any other piercing. Unlike every other piercing I have ever had ever, I've had no problems with this one: No dramatic swelling, no excess scar tissue, no pus-filled lumps. Just a lovely, neat little piercing that's healing more and more by the day.

What's next
In a couple of months time, I'm going to swap over the barbell for a shorter one. It's pierced with a fairly long barbell to allow for swelling but, now that it's been a while, the swelling has gone down and the barbell's getting a little inconvenient with the extra length.  

Now it's time to look to my next piercing- A rook in my right ear. Look out for me, Punktured. I'm on my way!

My jewellery
Rainbow Tunnel- 8mm
Pearl Stud Earrings
Curved barbell- 1.2mm (forward helix)
Straight barbell- 1.2mm (conch)