An eyebrow piercing a long time coming

So I had been planning to get *something* pierced since I was in junior high,
but my school & family wouldn't allow it. Finally in college, I decided it was
time.
I did a lot of research on the web, talked to people, visited
piercing parlors, etc. I'm kind of picky & anal-retentive about things. Still,
I only decided that I wanted a barbell piercing on my eyebrow. I couldn't get
any more specific than that.
So finally Spring Break came around my 3rd
year in college, and my friend & I went up to the Northwest. I picked Black
Hole based on the recommendation of my friend's sister *and* her mother! They
stay open late & are centrally located. The atmosphere there was pleasant,
relaxed. Contrary to stereotypes, every place I checked out had sterile
techniques. The main problem I had was that BH is so popular it's probably a
better idea to make an appointment, as I was told to come back the next day.
When I returned everything seemed great, I was ready. But I was turned away
again because I hadn't eaten in over four (4) hours. I personally thought it
was a bit silly, but it is probably a good policy. So we went back after
dinner, this time with an appointment.
This place has a reception area on
the first floor, not very big but cozy. There's even a large fishtank to
soothe the nerves. I have tetras at home, too, but they didn't calm me down
much. When someone's turn came up, the technician would come downstairs, call
the client's name, and they would go upstairs. Quite professional. The only
problem for me was that it made me really uncomfortable to see people led
upstairs; it seemed really frightening, like they were going to get tortured.
And then they'd come downstairs a couple minutes later, calm. It made me think
they were getting lobotomies! So when my turn came up, I was panicked. And I
am nearly always cool & level-headed. Suddenly the idea of surgical-grade
stainless steel going through my tender flesh made me a little lightheaded.

She called me & I went up nonetheless. I must mention that I took my
friend along; I don't think I could handle the stress all alone. Be sure to
take a good, trusted friend who is nice to have around when you're stressed or
upset. Not the right time to try & impress people. I was so relieved to see
that it was totally normal upstairs, nice even. The working rooms seemed like
a physician's practice except with cool stuff on the walls.
She asked me
which side I wanted it...left, I decided. So she took some dye & pinpointed
where she thought it should go. She showed me & it looked fine. It turns out
they have a standard 16 gauge barbell they use for the piercing. That's cool,
I thought; makes my decision all the easier. She told me to lie down on the
table & close my eye. She didn't explain much, but I could tell it was so
routine for her by her motions & gestures, which made me feel better. She took
an instrument to clamp my eyebrow, which surprised me. It didn't hurt, just
try pinching your eyebrow. I was told there would be a sharp sting & to
inhale. Exhale, she said, then put the needle through.
I could definitely
feel it going in, but like everyone says, it didn't hurt all that much. I
found the feeling of metal going through my skin much more interesting to
think about than the discomfort. I think it even felt a little neat, relieving
no doubt! When she attached the other bearing to the bar, I could feel the
metal moving my skin around, which didn't feel pleasant. But again, I must
admit it didn't hurt much overall. Thanks for coming, she said & we left for
the stairs. Halfway down she asked if I felt dizzy. A little too late, I
thought. If I had really been dizzy surely I would have fallen already. But
anyway, she was really nice & did a good job.
Downstairs, I was given a
little handout, explaining how to care for the piercing and what to avoid. The
'receptionist' also explained it clearly. Instead of using bactine, I was told
to use saline solution for sensitive eyes. Even better, try making your own
soln. with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in warm/hot water. He gave me a bag of salt,
and remembering from my ID that I'm from Texas, gave me another. As if we
don't have sea salt in Dallas! Still they were very nice & funny. If I had any
problems, I could call them up & get a referral to a piercing parlor they
trust in my college city. I charged the $40 to my card & we left. I was really
excited.
I went to the drugstore & bought a one-cup tupperware container
so I could mix my salt soln. Since you use so little fluid with each washing,
I decided to conserve by saving the solution & not waste a cup of salt soln.
each time. I prepared the soln. like they told me and keep it in the plastic
container. Whenever I wash, I take the container from the bathroom counter,
take off the lid, and microwave it for ~30 seconds. I use cotton swabs &
Q-tips dipped in the soln. to wash the area. If you are going to do this,
which I recommend instead of prepared saline solution, never ever double-dip
the cotton! Think of all the bacteria & possible infection that could result.

I am very happy with my piercing & caring for it during the healing
process is a snap. All my friends/coworkers think it's great.