I'd been thinking about getting my nipples done for a while. I'd had one of them done before, but it didn't go quite to plan, so I had had it taken out over 2 years ago. With this experience in mind, I was a little apprehensive about getting it done again. The aestheticism of it the first time around was pulling at me again though, so I knew that I should just bite the bullet and do what I wanted.
At A Glance Author imagnocean Contact imagnocean@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Griff Studio Beyond Reality Location Loughborough, Leicestshire, UK I called Beyond Reality Tattoo and Piercing Studio the day before I planned to go in to see if an appointment was necessary. I spoke to Steve, the tattooist (Griff 's brother) who assured my nerves. I was told to just turn up after 10:30am. I did plan on being there dead on half ten the next morning so I could have a chat with Griff, but it was a Saturday morning – my only lie-in day.
The next day I went into Loughborough and joined a nervous few outside Griff's door. I needn't have worried about the cue. Steve had a much longer cue for tattoos. Mental note: Always call Steve to see if an appointment is necessary for a tattoo, and if it isn't – go in on a weekday! As Griff came out to let the 2 lads in front of me in, I smiled nervously at him and he smiled back – many of my nerves disappeared. I had to wait a further 15 minutes while he Griff dealt with them.
When I entered the piercing room, it was clean and well lit. The floor was tiled (and obviously mopped daily). There was a mirror and a sink on the far wall and a padded nurse's bench covered in a black leather-like material in the centre of the room. All the tools were sterile and laid out on a wheeled trolley. Griff himself had a friendly face and a Zen-like calm which helped in turn to calm me down. Whether it was him or me, taking my top off in front of him and lying down on the bed didn't feel uncomfortable in the slightest. ( I realise at this point that you might think "You're having your nipple pierced! He's got to see you semi-unclad", but my argument would be that I've never been very comfortable with my nudity until recently and so for me, this was a big deal.) His demeanour was polite and professional.
Griff discussed whether I wanted a bar or a ring - I said a bar - rings are too fiddly and fussy for my liking – I've had a ball pop out while I've been in the bath before and it was just lucky that it was a week-day and my old piercist at the time only lived down the road! I mentioned that I'd had it done before and he made to ask how long ago it was. It was all very professional. After we sized up the bar and marked up the entry and exit points, I lay back on the padded bench and Griff cleaned and numbed my right nipple. I had wanted both done at once, but as soon as I got in there, I chickened out. Besides, the "no contact with bodily fluids" rule applies and I'd only just started seeing someone new and didn't feel like restricting certain physical activities completely. (*blush* did I just write that?!)
Griff warned me that the clamp would probably hurt more than the piercing (or at least that's the general consensus he's had). The clamp didn't hurt at all, and the actually piercing only hurt for a second and then it was all done! I had built it up in my head and it had turned out to be nothing. Griff was aware of my anxiety and said "I treat my customers in the same way I'd like to be treated - as quickly and as painlessly as possible!" It hardly bled and was only crusty with blood for the day after I'd had it done.
Having had the piercing for over a week and having had no problems with it whatsoever, I am definitely getting my left one done when this one has healed. I may even consider getting them pierced vertically as well as I love the way it looks. I clean it twice a day as instructed and make sure that I move the bar from side to side (after having washing my hands with anti-bacterial soap!).
I would recommend Griff to ANYONE who wanted a piercing doing. In fact, I'm taking some friends to see him next month! The possibilities for what to have pierced have suddenly become endless! Griff is easily approachable and seemed more than willing to explain any queries or lay to rest any anxieties you might have.
I will update on this when I get the left one done... and then again when I get them done vertically.