Ok I know that I'm a bit "old" to be getting into the whole "pierced & tattooed" thing, but it's true what they say; it is addicting. So far I have seven tattoos (well, really eight, but one has been covered) and five piercings (if you count both nipples). The account below is the story of how I came to get my first piercing(s): my nipples.
At A Glance Author Andres64 Contact Andres64@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Andrea Studio NameBrand (now Pangea Piercing) Location Ann Arbor, MI Now, I'd never really thought much about tattoos or piercings until I met a couple new female friends (Tracy and Nicole) during the summer of 2001. They were both very into tattoos and piercings. I found them (the tattoos, piercings and girls) very attractive, and was quite intrigued. One day I went to where the girls were working and Nicole showed me her new piercings. The day before she had her nipples pierced with CBRs. She told me all about it and said that it didn't hurt much. Tracy had had hers done quite some time ago and agreed that it didn't hurt (Tracy has I believe over 40 piercings).
Anyway, the next day I was talking to another one of my friends, Christina, and told her that I was thinking about getting my nipples done. She was friends with Nicole also and had seen the piercings too. Christina and I decided right then to go and get ours done immediately. There are several tattoo & piercing parlors in Ann Arbor, but we decided to go to NameBrand Tattoos since the piercer there, Andrea, had been recommended by several people. On the drive over, we were both a bit nervous, but excited about our approaching adventure.
Christina and I arrived at NameBrand, talked to Andrea and told her what we wanted. She took us right into the piercing room which was right off of the main waiting area. It was a small room with one of those table/beds like in a doctor's office. She had a fairly large case on one wall that was full of the various jewelry. On a counter on another wall was the autoclave. Andrea explained the procedure to us, indicating that she would be using a needle and not one of those guns like some places use for piercing ears. She showed us the autoclave and explained all the precautions that she would be taking to ensure that everything was sterile. She also gave each of us a sheet explaining the recommended after-care. After reviewing everything, Andrea had us each sign the consent form which asked all sort of questions about medical conditions, if I (we) had been drinking, if I (we) were prone to fainting, if I (we) had eaten recently, etc..
With all the preliminaries out of the way, Andrea asked us who wanted to go first; I volunteered. She had me remove my shirt and stand by the table. Andrea took a small-tipped marker and had me stand in a relaxed state while she placed a small dot on both sides of my nipples indicating where the holes would go. She explained that the placement was important not only for aesthetic reasons, but that it was very important to have the piercing placed deep enough (through enough skin) to help prevent "rejection" (migration). After examining them to make sure that they were where I wanted them, she had me lay down on the table. She put on sterile gloves and proceeded to clean and shave the area around my nipples. Once this was done, Andrea removed the sterile piercing needle from its bag and showed me the autoclave paper that was inside. She told me to take a deep breath and then exhale. As I exhaled, she pushed the needle through my nipple. Huh, that wasn't so bad. Then she slipped the jewelry (a 14 gauge, 1/2", stainless steel barbell) through. That hurt only slightly more. Ok, ready for the next one. For some reason, I was much more nervous for the second piercing, even though the first one really didn't hurt much. Well, the second piercing did hurt more and I think I winced a bit when the needle went through. Whether it was completely psychological or not, I don't know. Anyway, after they were both done Andrea had me sit up and I was able to get a good look at them. They looked great! I asked Christina what she thought, and she said that she liked them. Andrea asked me if I felt faint. After assuring her that I was fine, she let me get up off the table.
Christina was next and seemed a bit more nervous than I was when I went, but I couldn't watch Andrea perform the actual piercing (not because she wouldn't allow me, but because I'm a bit squeamish and had to look away). Andrea had to use a longer barbell for Christina's, since as one would expect, her nipples are larger than mine. After both of Christina's were done she agreed that the second piercing hurt more than the first, but nothing unbearable.
We took the after-care sheet and Andrea also gave us each a small bag of sea salt and we bought some Provon soap. Andrea asked us if we had any questions and told us to come back if we had any problems (we didn't).
I was so excited that I got my nipples pierced that I showed practically everybody I saw that night, including Tracy and Nicole. I highly recommend getting your nipples pierced for a few reasons. First, it's an experience that I think everyone should have. It's safe. It looks good and feels great! My nipples are so much more sensitive now that they're pierced. I also highly recommend Andrea at Pangea Piercing (her new shop) in Ann Arbor, MI. She's very professional, and quite gentle. Everything is very clean and sterile. I've actually gone back to Andrea for my latest piercing (Lorum) just a few months ago and I'm thinking about going back for more (maybe a Dydoe or a Hafada).