I had my cheeks pierced on the 28th December 2009, and had the full intent of posting a diary. That idea kinda died. But I’ll post it up anyways.
Before
Few emails about cheeks piercing, horrific healing, jewellery etc. Going for PTFE with PTFE balls on the inside, bit worried about my massive broken tooth; don’t want to break it again.
Day 0 - that evening, already swelling
Day 00 (28.12.09)
Piercing
So after some faffing around, I ended up going for metal barbells with metal balls, as opposed to the planned PTFE. I’ll just have to careful. His supplier is closed from Christmas till after New Year, neither of us was banking on that. (He’s also nearly out of needles). Free downsizes, and I don’t mind seeing him a few extra times *wink*. Hurt quite a bit, but not horrific. Feels awkward, hard to smile. I look pretty damn ridiculous, they look about 10mm too long, but I’m sure I’ll make use of the extra space.
Got new mouthwash, new saline, and a whole lot of ibuprofen. I’m going to be dosed up on the latter for a while I think… The prospect of healing is a bit intimidating. The piercer’s story of his ex’s embedded cheek piercing (that he didn’t do), really isn’t helping.
A few hours later, and I’m swelling already. Feels like I have permanent lockjaw. No sign of blood at all, even during piercing, which is unusual for me. Easier to chew than I thought, just has to be small bites. I’m sure I’ll regret my choice of chicken tomorrow.
Phone calls are in the way, and I’m pretty sure sleeping will be too. Can’t sleep on my side, or my face. Sleeping on my back makes me snore something rotten. Fun.
Day 1 (29.12)
I could sleep on my side, which is good. But I woke up a lot. Its gone from lockjaw pain, to I’ve-smiled-so-much-it-actually-really-hurts, horrible sort of ache. But not too painful. Swollen up well though. Got about 4mm left on one side, 2mm on the other. Can smile okay though, but no kissy faces.
Day 2 - swelling makes for hilarious photos and a mardy Stasha
Day 2 (30.12)
Still swollen. Changed the 5mm outside ball to a 4mm one, was pretty easy to do. I know its naughty, but now I feel much better. Still can’t open my mouth very wide. Discovered I have to hold onto the end ball while I eat large things, otherwise I chomp cheek. I’m pretty sure that’s just the swellingt; it was fine Monday. Woke myself up by leaning on my face last night, couldn’t get back to sleep. The aching has died down a lot though. Although looking swollen on the outside, they’re probably more so on the inside.
So far, it doesn’t seem like healing is going to be too terrible. Just minor inconveniences, and dealing with looking like a twat. But I got my first crusty on them today, so that part could be fun.
Its New Years Eve, no going out for me tonight >.<
(02.01.10)
Starting to get quite red. Saline seems to be drying out the skin, combined with drying crusties, is making for cracked skin. Cut down to once a day, and a chammomile soak, Rinsing with warm water in between to try and control the epic crusties. Annoyingly, cause the swelling is going down I have extra room for the bars to move around. Causing the bars to upset the crusties, and more to form, yadda yadda..
I’m bored of having a crusty swollen face now!
(16.01)
All the swelling seems to of gone now, at least that I can notice. Went back for a measure up last week, and had the PTFE cut down, and proper fitting bars ordered. 16mm labrets fitted for me today 🙂 Some notable hypertrophic scarring. It settles down, but flares back up.
July - Horrible picture of me... But look, squishy bump! (at its worse before it tends to explode XD Ignore the other sides floating ball, I was halfway through changing jewellery) I really need to redo my hair...
(13.07)
I updated a lot didn’t I? After previously having tried to downsize to 14mm months ago, and failed (too much scar tissue, and they just got sore and tried to embed), today I discovered 14mm fit perfectly. Now I just need to find some more internally threaded labrets..
Now that all the swelling and most of the scarring has gone, I have pretty perfect, though still rather subtle dimples.
I still get the mystery discharge filled hypertrophic scarring. Pretty!! Nothing I do seems to help much; cammomile, TTO, SSSs, aspirin masks.. nothing. The right side seems to of stopped it completelyall of its own accord. But the left still does it once a month or so. By the time its settled down, it just starts again. Not even 8 months old yet, so I’m still going with lots of patience and hope that it will just cease like the right side.
(28.07)
No bumps since having changed to 14mm labrets. I am hopeful! Though totally not holding my breath. Found me some Neometal 2mm x 14mm IT labrets. Might stretch them. Think that might help….
(09.10)
Stretched my cheeks, now 2mm(12g) x 14mm titanium internally threaded bars, with a disc on one end. Bought 12mm length ones too, but they are too small. Afraid 2.5mm ends would get pulled through, so I have 4mm pretty AB balls on the end. Wish they made 3mm IT ends D:
The actual stretching was super easy with a taper and lube, straight through. Although I’ve been wearing my quartz retainers a lot lately, and haven’t had any problems, hopefully the larger gauge will sort out any last issues… We shall see.
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