This is the continuing saga of a piercing experience that started in October 2002. Originally I had my right nipple pierced at Evolution Studios in Rhode Island. I can't say enough good things about the piercer Joe. His studio is the cleanest and friendliest place to get pierced. He asks all the necessary questions and gives thorough aftercare advice. As I was saying, I got my right nipple pierced there at 14 gauge in Oct of 2002. I then waited about 6 months and got it stretched to 12 gauge. After another 30 days I went to 10, 8 and finally 6 gauge all at intervals ranging from 1 to 2 months.
At A Glance Author Jeff Contact Jeff@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Joe Studio Evolution Location Providence, RI This leads us to the current time about a month ago when I discovered my 6 gauge piercing was starting to migrate. When I was first pierced I had no idea that I was going to be interested in stretching it to the extent that I did. Therefore, I never mentioned it at the time but a word to the wise. If you are thinking of stretching a nipple piercing let the piercer know up front. That way they can give you a deeper piercing to allow for the room required. I didn't and therefore paid the consequences. I told my piercer what had happened and he removed the migrating piercing at the time that he pierced my left one. He told me that it would take a month to heal up with the help of some Vitamin E applied to the nipple.
Now we are at the present time where I had my left nipple pierced for the first time at 12 gauge (deeply I must add because I DO intend to stretch it). Then just last week I had my right nipple re-pierced to a 12 gauge. I must say that the right one healed pretty well with the help of the Vitamin E. All that is visible from the first piercing are a couple of dimples on either side of the nipple in front of the new piercing. I am now for the first time symmetrical. I decided on a stainless steel CBR in each nipple. I was told that in order to stretch it properly I should wait about a year until I stretch for the first time. I thought that 6 months would be conservative enough but time will tell whether I have the patience or not. I think the reason for failure with the first stretching was twofold. First and foremost was not getting a deep enough start. Secondly, I think that I used too heavy of a 6 gauge nipple ring originally. I think if I had used a light weight acrylic or similar nipple ring it would have healed better but I used a horseshoe with large beads. It looked great but probably pulled more than necessary. I did feel it when I was using the Precor machine at the gym but it eventually had less and less of a pulling sensation. What was happening was that I would work out for progressively longer without experiencing any pain. I even went through the embarrassment of putting an elbow bandage over my nipple with tape. A couple of times I was discovered doing this in the locker room with people looking at me like I was weird but anything to heal a piercing.
I don't know how long most people wait until stretching their nipples since there isn't a whole lot written about the subject and when I look online there are different pieces of advice from each of the studios. I guess I'll take the conservative approach this time since I had a problem the first time. I know one thing is for sure and that is that I will be using lighter nipple rings when I finally reach the 6 gauge level. I just have to wonder about those people that go as far as the 2 gauge or even 0 gauge. It's got to take a long time for those sexy large ones to heal up. It also does sting a lot more when you get past the 8 gauge. If you read my previous experiences you would see that the stretch up to a 6 did hurt but it feels good when you look at it in the mirror and show it off.
So my advice to anyone considering a nipple piercing is to think over whether or not you might want to stretch it. If you think that you might then go with a deeper stretch and don't rush a good thing. Also I think a lighter weighted nipple ring can be helpful to avoid pulling on a stretched nipple originally. I know that's hard to live by because I've been there, done that as far as rushing goes. Had I waited though I'd probably be almost ready for the 6 gauge now.