When I first turned eighteen, I didn't know what to do. I wanted to exercise at least one of my new found freedoms, but I didn't want to buy cigarettes or lotto tickets, I could already get porn on the internet, and I didn't want to rush getting a tattoo, so that left pretty much one option left to celebrate my entry into adulthood – getting a piercing.
At A Glance Author Devilicious Contact bar0naloha@gmail.com When Six months ago Artist Jesse Studio Mom's Body Shop Location San Francisco, CA Nipple rings have always appealed to me ever since I was little. There's something about them that I really like. I think a large part of the appeal for me is that people usually don't see them initially - supposing you wear a shirt on a regular basis - so it's something of a hidden piercing, something else for people to find out about you. People are always surprised to hear that I have mine pierced and shocked when I show them.
Before finally deciding to go for it, I did a ton of research on the subject, mostly on BME, reading other's stories, the risks, and anything else I could find. I held up rings to my chest to see what it would look like, and even pinched my nipples hard to try to see what it would feel like. The more I looked into it, the more I wanted to get my nipples pierced.
When I first told my mother that I wanted to get my nipples pierced, she was opposed to the idea, but when I explained to her why I wanted them, she was surprisingly supportive. She said that she didn't understand it, but if it was my decision and if I wanted to do it she would respect that. She was also more tolerant due to my generally good behavior. I get good grades, maintain all my responsibilities around the house, I'm respectful to my parents and other adults, and I don't do drugs or drink (much). Plus most people wouldn't see them, so she didn't have to worry about what her friends or anybody else would think.
My father was less understanding and was quite opposed to the idea initially. We just had a silent understanding that I didn't talk to him about them and kept my shirt around him, and he didn't complain. Five months later he still hasn't seen them, but otherwise our relationship is as good as it's ever been.
I decided to get them pierced at Mom's Body Shop in San Francisco. I have several friends who have gotten tattoos and piercings from them, and had seen firsthand that they do good work. I finally decided to get it done one week before I graduated from high school, since I didn't have any classes and I wouldn't have to worry about having time to clean them in the morning, but I could still show them off to people at end-of-the-year parties.
On May 29, 2004 I walked over to Mom's and handed over $86 plus tax for the piercings and sat patiently, although nervously, for my turn with the piercer. After waiting for two girls to get nostril piercings my turn finally came. The piercer, Jesse, calmly, patiently, and comprehensively explained the process, the aftercare and any other information I needed. After that he asked if I had any questions, and after I said no he told me to take off my shirt and lie down on the table.
Lying there looking at him unwrapping the needles and rings and thinking that those would soon be tearing their way through my poor, fragile nipples I almost thought about just calling it off and walking out. No, I had to go through with it at this point. Besides, I had already paid my eighty-six non-refundable dollars.
Before piercing my nipples he marked them with a purple marker. He had me stand absolutely straight with my heels together to make sure the placement would be perfect. He didn't use clamps or anything, just did it totally freehand. He started with the right and told me to take three deep breaths and on the third he would push the needle through. On the third breath he started to push the needle through with what felt like a twisting, drilling motion. I thought he was just going to push them straight through, but the actual piercing process took longer than I thought it would, probably about three seconds. The pain was pretty much what I had expected from reading experiences hear on BME: a sharp pinch, but nothing major. He then repeated the process with the left, and it all went the same, except more pain, as was expected.
After he was done I looked at myself in the mirror and admired my two brand new nipples. I looked so freakin' awesome. I tipped him ten dollars, which I 'm still not sure was enough or too much. Walking home was a bit tricky, as I had to hold my jacket away from my chest. When I got home I was expecting some bleeding, but there was none.
Healing was smooth and uneventful for about a month. My nipples got knocked around a few times, partially due to my continuing martial arts training. (If you do any kind of sport, take the first week off, trust me.) Several times my right nipple got tugged on from trying to turn a backpack around and trying to access it while still wearing it.
After a month, my right nipple started to get very sore and tender, especially while exercising, and small chunks of dead skin would come off during cleanings. I thought this might be normal, but after about a week and a half it began to get worse. I went back to Mom's and showed them my nipple and they told that it was migrating. I could either take it out and re-pierced it, or I could keep cleaning it and hope for the best. I decided to re-pierce it. I let it heal for about two months before getting it re-pierced. The second time it felt pretty much the same, but bled a considerably amount. It's been almost two months since I had it re-pierced, and everything seems to be healing fine. The only drag is having to soak them for five minutes each in a communal college dorm bathroom. People sometimes look at you funny.
I would definitely recommend nipple piercings, and Mom's Body Shop, to anybody interested. The pain was really not that bad, and only lasts for several seconds. I now love my new nipples, and think they were definitely worth both the pain and the eighty-six bucks.