Although I want to focus on the second time I got my nipples pierced, I need to explain what happened the first time. I'd decided to get them pierced a year or so ago, and after getting lost trying to find Chesapeake Square Mall, I did just that at Urban XChange. I remember that even though I was super excited about getting the piercings, I almost chickened out at the last minute. Luckily, my faithful friend talked me back into it, and sat with me while I was getting it done. I don't remember too much about the experience, just the piercer was really nice and made me feel very comfortable. Oh, and it hurt (a lot).
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Christina Studio Skinquake Location Indianapolis, Indiana I absolutely loved my piercings, and so did my surprised husband (or so I thought). They never gave me any problems that I can recall, I just cleaned them as instructed and used sea salt soaks as usual. They healed nicely, and I couldn't even remember what it felt like not to have them. About six or seven months after they'd been pierced, tragedy struck. I was taking a quick shower and accidentally caught my finger in my left nipple ring and ripped it before I even knew what was happening. Believe me when I say this hurt MUCH worse than actually getting it pierced in the first place (in my opinion, of course). After that, it was all over for my beautiful piercings. I hadn't ripped the ring completely out, but I'd displaced it enough that rejection began. When it got to the point that I could see the metal of the jewelry through my skin, I removed both rings with a heavy heart. The right one was fine, but I'm pretty anal about symmetry and didn't want to be left with one pierced nipple.
I wanted to get them done again, but it turns out my husband wasn't quite as crazy about them as I thought. Apparently he didn't like the extra attention they were drawing to my chest when I went braless. (Look, I don't have big breasts, so wearing a bra is usually not a necessity for me...) So, I just put the thought of re-piercing out of my head.
That is, until three and a half months ago, when my husband decided he has commitment issues, and doesn't want to be married after all. (Yes, I know, it would've been nice if he'd told me this three years ago...) I moved to Indianapolis to stay with my best friend and try to clear my head, and happened to remember how much I liked having my nipples pierced. With the only dissenting figure in my life suddenly out of the picture, I decided to go for it. I began researching piercing shops in the area, and settled on Skinquake after receiving a few recommendations from former clients. I honestly think that one of the most important things in the piercing process is researching the place where you want to get pierced (second only to researching the piercing itself and making sure its something you really want and are committed to caring for afterwards). I was confidant that I'd found the right place for me, even though it was half an hour away and I had to depend on my friend to schlep me over there...
Anyway, I felt very comfortable with the shop as soon as I entered, the staff was friendly and the place looked clean and professional. I spoke with Christina about what I wanted to have pierced (we had spoken on the phone before) and I decided to use horseshoe barbells, since I didn't want a repeat of what happened with my first piercings. I originally wanted straight barbells, but decided the horseshoes would be easier to clean.
My friend accompanied me back to the piercing room, and we made small talk with Christina as she prepared everything. I was trying my hardest to not think about how much I knew it was going to hurt. I made her promise to be fast, and thankfully she was, and yes, it hurt every bit as much as I knew it would. But the pain only lasts for a second, as with every other piercing I've experienced. She went over aftercare with me, I tipped her, and my friend and I went on our merry way back home. I cleaned them before I slept that night; there was a little dried blood, but nothing major. I cleaned them the next day before I went to work and they seemed to be fine.
This next part needs to be preceded by the statement that Christina did a really good job, and what happened next is not her fault.
I returned home from work that night and went into the bathroom to clean my piercings. I unhooked my bra, and began to remove it, but it wouldn't budge. My right nipple was just fine, but my bra seemed to be glued to my left breast. I reminded myself to breathe, and carefully peeled it off. The cup was filled with blood, and the piercing itself was encased in coagulated blood. I tried to force myself to remain calm as blood slowly dripped to the floor, and called my friend into the bathroom. Now, my industrial had bled steadily for a couple days after I'd gotten it done, but this is my nipple we're talking about here (much more important to me than the top of my ear...)! She immediately called Skinquake, and was told that Christina wasn't there and they were about to close. Luckily, the person who answered the phone was Kyle, a veteran piercer and tattoo artist. He insisted he didn't mind waiting around a few extra minutes and we should come let him look at it.
He was just finishing up a tattoo when we arrived, and soon I was heading back to the piercing room with my friend again. Kyle was really empathetic about my problem and seemed genuinely concerned. He cleaned off the barbell and tried to stop the bleeding. This mainly involved him squeezing little bits of paper towel (I think) around my nipple, which I found kind of funny. He explained his theory on what had gone wrong; it involved me bumping it at work (which I don't remember doing, but I'm a major klutz and its highly likely) which caused things to happen that made sense when he told me, but not when I try to write them down. He apologized for my ruined bra, and asked me to call him in a couple of days to let him know how it was doing (adding to call sooner if it was still bleeding, of course).
We went home, and the next day everything was blood-free (at least externally), and pretty much back to normal. My left nipple was now sporting a bruise, but I was happy. I called Kyle in a few days to let him know, and we decided I should come in for a checkup, just to be on the safe side. I did, and not only did I get a clean bill of health, we started talking about tattoos, and in the next few weeks I ended up getting both of my feet tattooed by him. Another tattoo is in the works, which I'm extremely excited about. So, I'm actually kind of glad the whole bloody thing happened, since the only harm done was to my bra (and it was an ancient one) and I met a great tattoo artist. I also have some nice nipple piercings, which are fully healed and haven't given me any problems since. I desperately want to replace the horseshoes with straight barbells of a more secure gauge, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
If you're thinking about getting any work done and you live in the Indianapolis area, head on out to Skinquake. Christina has since moved, but I can assure you that you'll be well taken care of. Oh, and be careful when taking quick showers!