Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Emily, a college student who recently got a frowning piercing. Emily has always been interested in unique forms of self-expression, and she found inspiration for this piercing through social media. She’s excited to share her experience with us, from the process of getting the piercing to the healing journey and reactions from friends and family.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what made you interested in getting this piercing?
Emily: Sure! I was browsing through some piercing accounts on Instagram and stumbled upon a picture of a frowning piercing. I had already seen smiley piercings before, which are similar but go through the upper lip instead, and I thought they looked really cool. So when I saw the frowning piercing, which goes through the lower lip, I was instantly intrigued. I started doing more research on it and looking at pictures, and I just knew that I wanted to try it out for myself.
Awesome, it sounds like you did your research before getting the piercing. Now, could you walk us through the actual process of getting the frowning piercing? I’m sure our listeners would be interested to know what it entails.
Emily: I went to a professional piercer who had experience with oral piercings and had done frowning piercings several times before. They sterilized the area and marked where the piercing would go. Then they used a small gauge needle to pierce the tissue between my lower lip and gum. I won’t lie, it was a bit painful, but it only lasted for a few seconds. After that, they put in a small curved barbell, and that was it!
Can you tell us how you chose your piercer? Did you do any research beforehand?
Emily: Yes, I did a lot of research before choosing my piercer. I looked up reviews online and asked for recommendations from friends who had gotten piercings before. It was really important to me to find someone who had experience with oral piercings and who used sterile equipment, so I made sure to ask about that when I called to make my appointment.
Now that you have done your frowning piercing, what has the healing process been like?
Emily: The healing process has been pretty smooth so far. It’s only been about three weeks since I got my piercing, and it’s already feeling a lot better. I’ve been following the aftercare instructions my piercer gave me, which includes rinsing my mouth with saline solution after eating and drinking, avoiding touching the piercing with dirty hands, and cleaning the area with a mild, unscented soap. It’s important to avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and excessive mouth movements during the healing process, too.
That’s good to know that you’ve been following the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer and that the healing process has been smooth so far. It sounds like you’re taking good care of your frowning piercing. Have you had any difficulties sticking to the aftercare routine or adjusting to any lifestyle changes that come with having a new piercing?
Emily: So far, I haven’t experienced any major issues or concerns. The only thing is that sometimes the piercing gets caught on my teeth, which can be a bit uncomfortable. But my piercer told me that this is pretty normal and that it should go away as the piercing heals and I get used to having it there.
Have you found any techniques or tricks that help with the discomfort when the piercing gets caught on your teeth?
Emily: Actually, I have found that being mindful of my mouth movements helps a lot. When I eat, I try to chew on the opposite side of my mouth, and I’m also careful when I talk or laugh to avoid pulling on the piercing. It’s also helpful to keep the area around the piercing clean and moisturized, which can reduce irritation. Overall, I think it’s just a matter of getting used to having the piercing there and being mindful of how I use my mouth.
Did you have any concerns about the pain or aftercare before getting the piercing?
Emily: Definitely! I was a bit nervous about the pain, but my piercer made sure to talk me through the process and let me know what to expect. As for aftercare, I had done some research beforehand and knew that it would be important to take good care of the piercing to avoid infection or complications.
How has the reaction been from your friends and family to your new piercing?
Emily: Overall, the reaction has been pretty positive! Some of my friends think it looks really cool and edgy, while others are a bit more hesitant about it. My family was a bit surprised at first, but they’ve come around and are supportive of my decision to get the piercing.
Do you think the frowning piercing has affected your daily life or habits in any way?
Emily: Not really, aside from having to be a bit more careful when eating and drinking. I try to avoid crunchy or hard foods that might irritate the piercing, and I make sure to rinse my mouth with saline solution after eating or drinking anything that might get stuck in the piercing. But other than that, it hasn’t really affected my daily life or habits.
That’s great to hear that your loved ones are supportive. Have you received any negative reactions or comments from strangers or acquaintances?
Emily: I have had a few people give me strange looks or ask me questions about the piercing, but for the most part, people have been pretty respectful. I think that’s because the piercing is inside my mouth, so it’s not as noticeable as some other piercings.
That makes sense. Do you have any plans to get any other piercings in the future?
Emily: I’m definitely open to getting more piercings in the future! Right now, I’m focusing on letting my frowning piercing heal, but I’m considering getting a nostril piercing or maybe even a tongue piercing at some point.
Interesting choices! Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with frowning piercings?
Emily: I would just say that if you’re interested in getting a frowning piercing, go for it! It’s a unique and subtle form of self-expression that can really make you feel confident and edgy. Just make sure you do your research, find a reputable piercer, and take good care of the piercing during the healing process. And of course, have fun with it!
Thank you so much, Emily, for sharing your experience with us. It was really interesting to learn more about the frowny piercing and how it has been for you. We wish you all the best with your studies and your future endeavors!