I decided that for my 38th birthday, I would get my nipples pierced. This came after much mind changing and contemplation. I used to say that I wouldn't pierce my nipples...mostly because from all of the experiences that I'd read, it hurts!!! I also thought, incorrectly, that my nipples weren't piercable because they were to small.
At A Glance Author chnacat Contact chnacat@bme.anon IAM chnacat When It just happened Artist todd Studio industrial tattoo Location berkeley, ca
I was wrong.
Not only were they piercable...but the pain was nothing like what I'd read about.
I'll start from the beginning.
Every year, I go to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. And every year, I see tons of womyn with pierced nipples and am inspired by them. Being a person who wasn't really crazy about the look of her breasts, I just figured that I'd be one of those people with so-so looking breasts and that was that.
This year, however, while at Michigan, I decided that I didn't have to feel that way about my breasts and that if i got them pierced, I might like them better. I've always loved the look of pierced nipples, so I decided that when I got back from "lesbian summer camp", I'd go for it.
I chose today, August 27th, 2005 because it is my birthday, and what better present to give myself, eh?
I decided to go to Industrial Strength and get pierced by Vig. I'd been pierced by Joey at Body Manipulations, in San Francisco, but she left the shop to have a baby, and there wasn't anyone there that I really felt comfortable with. Vig had changed some jewelry once for me and I really liked her style and compassion.
So, I went and picked up my friend (the filmmaker), and off we went. I wasn't nervous in the least. I had run 10 miles earlier that morning and had a big bowl of oatmeal after my run...so my stomach was full. I was hydrating w/ watered down gatorade, so I knew my electrolytes were ok. I was good to go!
We walked into the shop. There were three people at the counter, waiting to be tattooed. I asked for Vig, and the owner, Todd said that she wasn't in today. That she had been late yesterday so he told her not to come in today at all.
I had a momentary panic, and stood there for what seemed like minutes, then I said, "well, who's piercing", and Todd said, "I am"...
Again, I stood there. Slightly intimidated...but still adamant. I told Todd that I still wanted to be pierced. He asked me where, I told him, filled out the requisite paperwork, and waited to be called back.
After about 3 minutes or so, he called me (and the filmmaker) back to the piercing room.
Before getting started, he explained the procedure to me, the healing, the care that would be needed, and asked me if I had any questions. I asked a couple of questions about curved bb's vs. CBR's and we chatted a little bit about healing. He showed me his latest chest surface piercing and his nipple piercings. Then it was time for me to show him mine.
I took off my shirt and bra and stood there in front of him. He cleaned both nipples (which was actually a little painful/annoying). It was at that point that I started to have second thoughts. What the hell was I doing!!! Was this crazy??? How bad was this going to hurt???!!!!
I asked him about the first one being tolerable and the second one being excruciating (as I'd read so often about), and he said that in his experience, womyn handle it better than men, and depending on how mentally prepared you were, the pain wasn't that bad...
I decided that I would tough it out.
He marked me, and then had me sit down. I asked if I could recline, but he said that it would be easier for him to reach me if I was sitting in front of him. So, I hopped up on the table and waited for the pinch.
He did the right one first. The clamp was actually more painful than the actual piercing. He put the needle up to my nipple, with a little tiny bit of pressure, asked me if I could feel that, and then had me breathe in, and on the exhale, he pierced me.
It hurt a little bit...but it really wasn't that bad. He was fast and accurate!
I got up to look at the first one, it was beautiful! I was so happy with it!!
I said, "Wow! I think I like my breasts a whole lot better pierced!" to which he replied, "yeah, it's amazing how much better something looks with a little jewelry in it, huh!"
I sat back down and got read for the second one. I closed my eyes, he did the breathing thing again, and it was done.
I will say that the second one did hurt a little more than the first one...but not horrible. I didn't even flinch or anything.
I put my bra and shirt on, and I was done!
I then paid, Todd gave me a little discount on the jewelry because it was my birthday, I tipped him, gave him a big hug, and the filmmaker and I left!
All day I kept saying, "I can't believe I did it!!" It really was super fast and super easy and I couldn't be happier with the results!
Now I just have to resist the urge to pull up my shirt and show everyone!!! And you can bet that next year at Michigan, I'll be one of those womyn walking around w/ no shirt, proudly displaying my beautiful breasts!!!