This story is about my nipples, Rosemary (right) and Lucille (left). It's also about how one day, they got really mad at me. And here's why.
At A Glance Author Kristen Contact klepto220@yahoo.com When It just happened Artist Gene Studio Professional Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Canton, Ohio Alright. I had been thinking for quite some time. I knew that I was going to get my navel pierced when I turned 18 (which will be in a separate story) and I knew I wanted to get something else done, but I didn't know what else. I'm a nursing student, so it had to be something NON-visible. Anything below the neck, pretty much. After quite a bit of research, I decided that either a vertical hood piercing or my nipples would work. I preferred the hood because of the shorter healing time, and people had reported less pain with that particular piercing. So I decided to get my navel and my hood done on my 18th birthday.
Of course it didn't work like that. I drove to the studio I wanted to get it done at, and they were closed Wednesdays. The logical thing to do, of course, would be to go back the next day. Nahhh, I wanted pierced NOW. (Or THEN depending on how you look at it) So, I went to Professional. My best friend had her tongue and her navel pierced at Professional, and they did a super job. Well, guess what? Professional doesn't pierce hoods. ALright, well I still figured my nipples would be a cool thing to get pierced. I knew it would hurt more, because they are thicker (much, *much* MUCH thicker) than the good ol' hood. Well. Here's my tale.
Rachele and Karen and I got to Professional. After almost being hit by some woman in a van, we parked and went in. To get to the studio you have to go upstairs. When we got there into the main room there was an older lady- totally covered with piercings and tattoos. Cool, I thought. She directed me into the piercing room where I immediately felt at ease. Everything was immaculate, and there's an office area and a piercing area- separate. Gene reminds me of either Jerry Garcia, or Santa Claus, except he isn't all big like that. I think it's the light colored beard that does it. Anyway. I told him what I wanted done and he said fine. He was totally nice and I didn't once think,"I don't want this stranger playing with my jubblies!". He really put me at ease. I filled out the forms and got my money all ready, expecting to pay him up front. But nope, it was more like satisfaction guaranteed- you pay after. So he washed his hands and got everything ready, and it was down to busine ss for us.
We decided to do the nipples first. So, I bared the twins. This isn't anything new, of course. He inspected them, and then he had me stand up to put the marks on them. That's when the girls started to get suspicious. The marks looked good, after much scrutinization by my friends and I. So, I hastily introduced Gene to Rosemary and Lucille. They received a kind "Hello ladies". At which point I was like,"Yeah, so...Rosie, Lucy, you're gonna hate me. After all, it isn't everyday I get a nipple shoved through my needle." Yes, just like that, nothing like word transposition. So I made some corny ass joke about how that would be one hell of a bar trick. And it would!
Soooo on to the actual piercing. Gene had explained the procedures and showed me the equipment. He got out the clamp, which is a hemostat held by a rubber band so as not to use the actual clamping part. In Gene's words, it was "because I'm not trying to turn your nipple into roach clips!" :-) I knew it was coming. One deep breath in and upon exhale...
"OOOOOHHHHHH! UGHH! ARRRRGH!" was pretty much my reaction. I'm not about to lie. It hurt. Pretty bad, for about 5 seconds. I had a hold of Rachele's hand and left nail marks. Same process to put the CBR in, a little less protest though. However, I now had a hold of my little tummy roll. My explanation, at the time was: "It hurt, and I had to hold onto something...I wasn't about to grab the man with the needle lancing my nipple, so I grabbed my fat roll!" :-)
Next nipple, pretty much the same story. Except he told me to take a deep breath in, and I did, but my exhale consisted of me going,"OHHH my God it's gonna hurt so bad do it NOWWWWWW!" So he did. :-) And I lived. Lucille started bleeding almost immediately and putting the bead in hurt a little. Nothing compared to the piercing though, it was more like a little tugging or pressure. I had a little of the water Gene got me between nipples. (He asked if I wanted a break, I took him up on the offer, and he even got me water...nice and cold! Thanks, Gene!) Then it was time for the navel. I was told it was to be a walk in the park compared to the nipples, and it was, but a separate story shall ensue for that.
So, if you are thinking of getting your nipples pierced, you know what? Go for it. I'm not sure how encouraging my story was, but it's really not so bad. I won't lie, it did hurt me for a little bit, and you bet they're sore now (7 hours later) but I think it will be worth it. I even went to a fire training class and lived through it, so the pain is bearable. Right now, it just feels like you got a titty twister. A pretty bad one, granted, but it's not too hard to deal. I'm still planning on the hood piercing...in maybe a couple months! If you live in, near, or around the Canton area, I HIGHLY recommend Gene at Professional! He's the best!