Pierced By Heavy Metal Jesus

At A Glance Author Renee Contact Renee@bme.anon Artist David Studio Abraxas Location Raleigh, NC

I had my navel done for my 29th birthday, and it healed clean, but hurt like a mother for a lot longer than I thought it would (four months). I found out I was in the minority, though, with only one piercing, but nothing else really interested me. I was more put off by the thought of that much discomfort anywhere else while healing.

A friend had her nipples done, and I had to admit they looked very cool. So I started questoning around other pierced friends, and found out that a nipple piercing doesn't hurt as much as the navel, heals faster, and increases sensitivity (a real selling point for me). When I found out that it increases size, too, I was laying my money down, do it do it do it NOW.

My piercer was David. In the lobby he had photos of himself wearing a loincloth, in a pious pose with his waist length hair down and a barbed wire crown of thorns on his head. He looked just like Christ, only with multiple facial piercings. Yeah, baby! I knew I was in the right place. He was dressed more conventionally for work, though.

David was all business ("It's just skin."). He wanted to use a larger gauge hoop (12, if I remember correctly), but I told him no, smaller please, because my nipples are small (I was shortchanged badly in that department). I took off my bra and he did a double take, then reached for the 14 gauge hoops without another word (a lesson to never judge a boob by its cover). I considered barbells briefly, but wanted the rings to match what was already in my navel.

My palms were a bit moist, but I wasn't sweating and really wasn't all that nervous; more excited about finally doing this. My friend Paula took pictures before and after; David asked us not to take pictured during because they would distract him. It must have been something in the air; he said that about 60% of the people he pierced that day took photos.

I stood up with my arms to my sides so he could mark the horizontal. He was very meticulous, and cautioned me to look straight ahead. He sterilized the skin, clamped, made sure the needle was straight, and said "On three...One-Three" And he drove the needle through. I didn't flinch that much, but said "You lyin' skank." "I find that people react better if it comes faster," he told me. He pulled the same stunt on the right nipple, and even expecting it, I was still surprized.

No, I couldn't watch him actually do it, either the actual piercing or the pulling through of the rings. But the clamps were more uncomfortable than the actualy piercing.

Did they bleed? Not really. I've had a bit of oozing, but not much. Did it hurt? Yeah, a little. A fast pinch, and then an easy burn.

Now, four days later, they are tender and itch just a little, but everyone was right; they are healing faster and cleaner than the navel did, and yes, they ARE more sensitive, but NO, not bigger. Yet. I'm patient. They look entirely rockin', and I'm more proud of my breasts at 32 than I ever was at 17. You can see the "second nipple," even through my bra, if you look for it, but it's so entirely cool having this neat little secret in my shirt. It's well worth the time it takes to clean and soak them.

Using a trick I learned when my navel was healing, I mix up the warm salt water, pour it into two small cups, bend forward, press the cups over the piercings and sit back. Portable titty spa. It's a litle awkward if the phone rings, but it works really well for loosening any crusting. Then cool water rinse, and a Q-tip in some cleaning solution to sterilize, and you're good to go. I sleep with a bra for the first time in years, and have to be careful when changing bras. If you have large breasts, a sports bra works best.

I'll be getting a tattoo soon (as soon as I can afford it). A few years back I would have shrunk form anything so permenant as body art, but in recent years, it has ocurred to me that it really IS "just skin," and you don't get extra credit in the afterlife if you die with it in pristine condition. You may as well make the most of it while you can. If you're considering any body art, ask questions of people who've had it done, get realistsic experiences, and make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.

And for heavens sake, GO TO A PROFESSIONAL FOR ANY BODY ART AND FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFTERCARE! And always always ALWAYS wash your hands before touching the piercings.