I was absolutely terrified about having this done. I am not good with pain and have a low pain threshold, but find pierced nips really exciting and wanted it done for a long time.
At A Glance Author Nicko Contact Nicko@bme.anon Artist Christelle Studio Kahuna Studio Location Cannes, France So I discussed the process with loads of people before ever going near a piercing studio.
Then I did the rounds of the piercing studios.
Most people said that it was a very painfull piercing, but none of the others less-painfull options do anything for me.
Also none of the piercers I visited made me feel confident, and I don't let people insert steel (or anything else for that matter) in my body lightly. Either their places seemed dark and dodgy, or they themselves didn't look clean, or they way they spoke to me seemed disinterested or unprofessional..
Anyway, finally I came across Christelle in Cannes (a freind got his tongue done and was really happy).
She is intelligent and thoughtful, the place was clean and hygenic without being clinical and scary and I felt pretty much reassured.
Also she was the first piercer who ever seemed to understand that I wanted the piercing but not the pain.
After discussion with her and some nurse freinds I did all of the following.
A. I Applied a thick layer of emla 5% cream for the full 2.5 hours before the piercing. Its normally a prescription only thing, but I got it from a pharmacy not far from a piercing parlor... they seemed to be used to it and had no problems selling it to me. People say that this doesn't help and only numbs the surface of the skin. This is complete bullshit, do not listen. If you do it properly Ie you put a thick covered layer all around the area for over 2 hours it works.
B. I then took the maximum dose of a non prescription paracetamol/codeine mixture 1 hour before, ie 800Mg of paracetamol and 60 mg of codeine.
C. I Drank two strong cups of coffee 1 hour before (a nurse told me that the caffeine increases the effect of pain killers).
D. I Drank a pint of beer to relax me 1/2 hour before. (Everyone discouraged this, but I simply couldn't have done it otherwise, especially after all that coffee !).
I went in, terrified, on my own. Freinds had offered to accompany me, but I didnt want to share this. It was between me and the piercer.
Christell removed the anasthetic cream from my nipple, put gloves on, cleaned everything, marked the entry and exit spots (i stood up for this), checked with me that it was ok, put the clamp on. She explained that this is usually almost as painfull as the piercing. I felt absolutely nothing. Really. Zilch.
Everything was fully sterilised and removed from sterile packing immediately before the piercing.
She placed a sterile cork on one side and she said "here we go". I braced myself, terrified and felt the pressure of her pushing the needle through. Again I felt absolutely no pain, and I mean none.
She put a captive ring in, (don't know how, didn't look) and still there was no pain.
Finally she tightened the bead which tweaked the ring a little and I felt a tiny sting, like when you get lemon juice on a tiny cut.
At this point I fainted ! It was nothing to do with any pain, there was none, but I was SO stressed before hand I think something had to give. It was actually a really nice feeling, just floating away into a little dream. I didn't know I was gone.
Christel got one of the guys to lay me down and give me a good slap, not something I enjoy either, but hey, I wasn't around to complain. I came to feeling heavy and tired and with a strange smell of adrenalin in my nose. Christel nursed me gently for ten minutes, chatting me back into my body. She then fed me special vitamin chocolate milk (on the house). I chatted to her for half an hour (she wouldn't let me go until she was sure I was ok), and that was that.
This was now 5 hours ago and since I have taken no new painkillers of any kind and have felt not even minor discomfort.
I whole heartedly recommend this place to anyone, and if you dont want the pain, dont be put off by the no-pain no-gain rubbish. Get some cream, pop a couple of pain-killers (not aspirin because it make the blood liquid) and just go for it.
Thanks to christell for the perfect piercing experience and thanks to whoever the bulky chap was who slapped me back to consciousness !
If you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask me.
Nick.