It has been nearly three weeks since I had my nipple pierced and it was not quite what I expected, but much, much more than I was told to.
At A Glance Author Celia Capiella Contact Celia Capiella@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Sherida Studio Sharper Image Location Singleton, NSW, Australia The idea of my nipple piercing came from trying to decide what style of tattoo to get and where to get it. Being the perfectionist that I am, I procrastinated for years (I'm still thinking, by the way). Then it occurred to me; get a piercing. The pain is (apparently) worse, and if I don't like it, it's a lot easier to remove.
I couldn't get anything facial because I work in a deli, so that cut out a lot of options, and I wasn't about to expose my clit to anything sharp, so the sensible choice was between 3 things - left nipple, navel and right nipple.
I have never really had much sensation in my nipples, so I wasn't really nervous about the pain. And so, after much research and careful consideration (many thanks to BME Encyclopedia Risks edition, absolutely invaluable); I made my little mind up.
I chose my right for a few reasons. It's further from my heart in case it became infected (my partner's insistence, but it kinda makes sense), my right breast is a nicer shape than my left and more (how to say this without sounding strange?) deserving of decoration, and my piercer said it would look better.
After many calls to several salons, I decided on Sharper Image because the receptionist actually knew the piercing procedures, made it very clear they used the autoclave sanitising system and boasted about their incredible track record and the lady that would pierce me, Sherida.
So I made the appointment and checked what I needed to bring and wear etc. On Friday the 8th of October, I finally got my nipple pierced. That day, I started a 10 hour shift at 5am, leaving 15 minutes to get there and relax before my 330 appointment. Maybe not the smartest idea, but getting it done then left enough time for me to heal a little before my next shift on Monday night.
I was greeted by the receptionist, given a stat dec. to sign and given my choice of jewellery before being introduced to my piercer and the salon owner, Sherida.
Sherida was extremely professional, very comforting, although she kept talking really quickly, and I wanted to say, "Stop. Take a deep breath. A-n-d t-a-l-k s-l-o-w-e-r." but my mouth wasn't working properly.
She started off measuring and marking the placement. I've only got very small buds, so we settled on a smaller bar than she would normally use. Then we went through the 'See this? It's the needle. See this? It's the bar.' stage. I saw the autoclave machine. It looks like a safe with dials, if you're ever looking for it yourself.
By law in Australia, or New South Wales at least, you must have two people present when doing 'intimate' piercings. The accompanying woman was as insane as Sherida, which put me at ease. It reminded me of my workplace. They laid me down, showed me everything again and took it all out of the packaging. Then (I think her name was Kristy) gave me a zebra doll thing to hold. I asked what it was for and they told me it was an 'Oh Shit'. "You know, for when it hurts."
Everything was readied and sanitized. I was told to take a deep breath and hold it for a second and when I exhaled Sherida started piercing me. I wanted to look, but I didn't want to see it, so I held my 'Oh Shit', grit my teeth and closed my eyes.
To be perfectly honest, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it was going to. Like I said, I couldn't really feel anything but hot and cold before, so the pain I did feel was not as much or for as long as I had expected.
When the barbell was in and screwed on tight, I allowed myself a look. Bloody and swelling as it was, I loved it. They told me they were going to put some ice on it to stop too much swelling from happening. THAT was when I felt something. I think I said "What the fuck is that!?!" in slightly elevated tones. We all laughed as I tried not to wriggle away from the baggie of ice they had on it.
I was told to lay there for 10 minutes and just relax, and then they would move me to another room where I would sit up for a further 10. Hopefully by then, the bleeding would have stopped and I could go home.
When I was moved, I was told to eat something just to keep my blood sugar up and to stop me from fainting. The bleeding had slowed, and my partner Sa-li was shown in. The look on her face was a cross between 'Are you okay?', 'You're insane and I love you for it' and, 'That's so fucking cool!'. She sat beside me and asked the obvious ones, and I let her look at it.
By the time Sherida had left, answered a quick phone call and come back, the bleeding had stopped and it was time to send me home. Kristy put a synthetic skin over the top of it (it made my nipple look like a bank robber with a pair of stockings over their head, all squishy faced and weird) and told me not to have a shower that night. Then she gave me the aftercare instructions along with a bottle of disinfectant and a card to give a friend for a discounted piercing.
I put my bra and shirt back on (gingerly, but only out of instinct; I mentally bashed myself in the head for being so silly when I know it didn't hurt) and made my way proudly out the store.
Sleeping was interesting. I usually lie on my belly, and now that I had a piece of metal in my nipple, I was experiencing more sensations than I have ever before. So I was aroused by the time I awoke Saturday, sad to say, because of my bed sheets.
Saturday afternoon I had a shower and removed the covering under the watchful eye of Sa-li. It didn't bleed anymore, and hasn't since. I didn't try to clean any of the crusties away, used the disinfectant spray, let the sun dry it and spent the rest of the weekend topless. I cleaned, turned and disinfected it twice a day for the next week, then only once a day after a shower.
Since I had it done, I still don't believe I did it until I feel or look at it. And Sa-li isn't allowed to lick it until Christmas (she's very disappointed).