dermal problems

so this picture was taken at a tattoo convention about a year ago when i first got  my shoulder dermals. whats a dermal? a dermal, or dermal anchor, is a piercing that can be done anywhere on the body because it is implanted just below the surface of the dermis. i got two on my chest and was immediately obsessed. for this picture at the convention, i added another 8 to spiral across my shoulder and later added two more. my piercer is lovely, sean theroux of mom and pops tattoo and piercing in fall river, and the piercing were so good to me. so many compliments and they really made me feel so fancy. unfortunately as with surface piercings, there can be complications. between regular movement of my body, remove and putting on clothes, seatbelts are a huge one, my poor dermals have had a few accidents and close calls. it's funny when you first get them because you will never realize how much you move a certain area until there is a cute little anchor there.

i've had a few fall out, become irritated, put back in, come out again, and migrate. everyone's skin is different. i had a feeling that these might migrate after a while because out of the three times i've had my belly button done it has been unsuccessful. unfortunately after just about a year, i removed one of my chest dermals because it was irritated and migrating and the other one fell out on its own several days later. the four on the front of my shoulder have continually been tricky. i've had them get caught on shirts and come out and they seem to be more susceptible to becoming irritated than the ones in my back, which just for the record, have never been a problem ever. on thursday one got caught on my shirt and came out so i figured at this point i am just going to let it be and not even bother having it put back in. this morning one of the other ones on the front got snagged on my blanket in my sleep and came out as i tossed and turned i suppose. the one that came out this morning i have put back in and pulled out more then three times at this point so i'm over it.

so i think, as much as i hate to admit it, i am at the point where which ever dermal falls out, it will no longer be replaced. :( womp womp wahhh. i'm ok with having half gems and half scars on my shoulder. the two scars on my chest i am however a bit bummed about. they have been shrinking and disappearing.. slowly. it isn't a huge deal i guess in the bigger scheme of things but i miss my pretty gems. 

i guess as far as piercings go, i'm going to hold off for a while. back to tattoos i go.