yes, that's right, i finally got my lip pierced. the photos are NOT flattering at all but you get the general idea. taking these photos also helped to test out a digital camera.

piercing my ears by myself is not a problem. in high school i pierced my nose by myself and didn't feel it. in high school i also pierced the top of my ear and have worn the same jewelry ever since. however, i always uncomfortable about it since i felt like that ring would fall out. i wanted something i'd feel more secure about, but didn't want big and clunky body piercing jewelry. i especially did not want a beaded ring. i finally got my ass over to a store and looked at the jewelry possibilities and had the house piercer stretch the hole a bit to get in a ring that was the style i was going for. while i was there, i had my lip pierced as well.

close-up

when i pierced my nipple i was fine. when i pierced my belly button it hurt so bad i immediately took it out. when i had my nipple pierced i was fine. when i had my tongue pierced it was fine--i don't think i even felt it. when i had my lip pierced, it hurt more than i thought it would. i had involuntary tears in one eye. my lip did swell quickly. this is the only piercing i have ever had that bled. i got bruises on the inside of my lip as well. you can see a bruise in the pic below.