This won't hurt a bit...

At A Glance Author Mel Contact Mel@bme.anon Studio Needleworks Location Birmingham, England

I have been a regular visitor to the BME site for a few months and I had always wanted a body piercing. I have had my ears pierced (twice at the bottom, one at the top) and didn't want my navel done, because my stomach is *not* my favourite feature, and facial piercings would not go down too well at school (!) So I talked about it with my friends. When I told them that the piercing I wanted was a nipple ring, they were quite shocked. The main thing that they said was, "It's going to hurt". I thought about it a lot over Christmas, and still wanted it done in the New Year. So when I went with two friends to Birmingham for the day (on a school trip, I have to say!), I decided to go for it!

I suppose I should have looked around and chosen my studio carefully, but somehow it didn't happen like that. I only knew of one place where I could get pierced, and so we headed for that.

It was incredibly hard for me to march up to the counter and say,

"I'd like my nipple pierced please" but, breathing deeply, I did it. The man (who looked intimidatingly pierced himself) told me to return in half an hour, when the piercer would be free. I walked off, and sat in McDonalds, stressing. Did I really want this done? I live at home, and if by any chance either of my parents should see it, I would be in serious trouble. Added to that, I had heard stories from my friends about it being so painful that people screamed. But I really didn't want to give up and come home without having it done. So I went back.

I chose a ring, not a barbell, because I thought it looked prettier, paid, and sat down. After a few minutes, a woman emerged after having her eyebrow pierced, and commented, "God that hurt". Although this didn't inspire me with confidence, it was my turn. The though of cold metal being poked into my body was less than pleasant. I think the fact that chickening out at this stage wasn't an option helped!

The room was clean, with white towels laid out on the couch. I stripped down my vest top. My two friends had come in with me, and although I was initially a bit embarrassed, I soon became thankful that they were going to be with me. The piercer marked on the two spots with a pen, froze the area with a spray and told me to sit down. One of my friends held my hand and I braced myself. The piercer was very kind and considerate, and told me not to look as I would convince myself that it hurt.

I looked away.

I looked up at my friend (who was watching) and saw her eyes widen. I felt a sharp sting and she squeezed my hand. I looked at my nipple and saw this huge needle sticking out either side of it! I looked away again as he threaded the ring through (which hurt slightly) and it was all over.

That was 5 days ago. It looks great, and I've been wearing a really supportive bra day and night, as well as bathing it with salt water. All my friends who have seen it are really impressed (which is quite a few, as I was quite happy to show it off!). The only thing is that it's a bit sore, and I want to put a barbell in because I'm getting really paranoid about catching it and pulling on it. That is my biggest worry at the moment. Luckily, it doesn't seem to be oozing or anything, which is good!!

To anyone considering having a nipple piercing I would say to do several things. Be sure about what you want - in the case of a nipple piercing , it will affect breast feeding, for example. More importantly, be sure that you want it done because it is a responsibility, and a neglected piercing is not pretty or healthy! And don't listen to anyone's stories of nightmare piercings unless it happened to them, rather than a friend of a friend.. don't let people put you off if it's what you want!

That's all really. I'll try to get some photos to post, and update if anything dramatic happens, like this spurs me on to more intimate piercings! Which is unlikely, because I just don't think I'd have the guts, and I'd be too nervous! For me, the most scary part was getting my breast out in front of someone I had never met, rather than the piercing itself!!

And it hardly hurt at all... what piercing next I wonder?

Thank you BME, you gave me the courage to do it!!

Mel.