I'd had my mind set for a while that I was going to get my nipples pierced. I knew I was going to do it. Deciding when to actually go get them done was a whole different thing. Yesterday I was debating whether or not I should go then. If you want to do something like this, don't just sit there and let yourself think about it. GO DO IT. I made myself incredibly nervous by thinking about it for about 45 minutes beforehand.
At A Glance Author Ali Contact Ali@bme.anon IAM ali When It just happened Artist Justin Marter Studio Michael Jay's Location Bismarck, ND My boyfriend, Chris and I drove around while I thought about it. Bad, bad idea. We headed out to the mall, and by the time we were all the way downtown, I decided I was just going to do it. So we turned the car around and went back north to Michael Jay's.
I've never been nervous for a piercing before. I don't even know why I was. It was probably the fact that I had too much time to think about it beforehand, and the fact that my friend Winter told me how bad it hurt when she got her nipples pierced. I imagine that I was probably ghost white.
When we got there, I was glad to see Justin at the desk. I told him what I wanted to do, and he asked me "Want to do it right now?" BIG RELIEF. No more anticipation.
I picked out my jewelry (14g captive bead rings with hematite beads.. I'm so fucking boring. Oh well. I love jewelry shopping anyway.) and we went back to the piercing room.
Now, mind you, Chris was with me the entire time so it was a little awkward, but I soon got over that. Justin has a way of making everyone feel less nervous.
Justin had me stand and he marked my nipples. Then we waited a while to see if the marks moved. Justin explained that every time your nipples get hard it's a little different so sometimes the dots will shift. Everything appeared to be fine so I laid down on the table. I was a little shaky and probably even more pasty looking than before. Justin said something like "same thing as always, take a deep breath and let it out." He clamped my nipple, and the needle went through. Intense, sharp pain---but only for a second. The pain was then a dull ache. The second one was the same. Sharp pain, dull ache. It was pretty painful, but I really expected it to be worse.
I got off the table to look at them. They were amazingly straight. Justin had said nipples are the hardest things to pierce straight, but he did a very nice job. Justin told me that I should probably flip the rings up for the first couple of weeks, as bras tend to pull your nipples downward and stretch out the piercings. He also mentioned that it's a good idea to get barbells after they heal so you aren't always wearing rings, because rings tend to pull your nipples down over time. I flipped the rings up and I very, very carefully put my bra and shirt back on and we went back out to the desk. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I got an "I-come-here-a-lot-discount". Heh. I left him a tip, because I'm an idiot and I had forgotten the last time I was there. He deserved it.
I'd like to stop for a second mention just how good Justin really is at his job. Not only is he professional and pierces well, he makes people feel at ease. Even standing there with my shirt off in front of another guy with my boyfriend there, I didn't feel all that awkward. Justin makes people feel relaxed when they're there. It's something I really appreciate when I go there. I definitely recommend going to him for any piercing.
We left Michael Jay's and I avoided my purse strap and seatbelt strap too, because my nipples were pretty sore. Now, they only hurt when something comes in contact with them/rubs against them. For example, my mom gave me a huge hug and I tried my hardest not to make a face. I'm still living at home and if she knew I had nipple piercings I probably wouldn't have a place to stay until college. If my dad knew? I don't know if he'd speak to me. My parents aren't very liberal or accepting of things like that, even though I think they've become used to my eyebrow and tongue piercing.
Over all, I don't think it was as painful as some people make it out to be. The piercing itself hurts like hell for a few seconds, but the occasional soreness is something I can deal with for a couple weeks.