So I was sixteen years old and dating this guy who shared an interest with me in tattoos and piercings. He thought that nipple piercings were sexy and I did not agree just on principle. However, after reading a few tattoo/piercing magazines and seeing some photos, I thought that it could be very sexy if done tastefully. I thought small captive bead rings that were totally stainless steel (including the bead) would look really nice.
At A Glance Author anonymous When Five years ago Artist unknown Studio Rather not say for legal reasons Location San Antonio, Tx I endeavored to find a piercing parlor in San Antonio that wouldn't check I.D.s. I tried some places that were sort of nearby, but they all asked me to present some identification. I tried making up stories that I didn't have a drivers liscence but I was 18. I had a fictional day of birth made up. I tried to make a fake I.D., but none of that worked. I figured out that pretty much any place that was listed in the phone book knew better than to pierce a person without properly verifying that they are of age. I was very determined at this point and I had a part time job so money was no object. Finally, a co-worker told me about a place that was clear on the other side of town, but she said they never asked her for identification.
So my boyfriend drove me down there and lo and behold they didn't even ask me how old I was. I asked if they autoclaved the equipment and they said yes so I told them I'd like my nipples pierced. They took me into a room prepped the areas and clamped my right nipple. People say that the clamp is the most painful part and I'm here to tell you that those people are LIARS! The most painful part is the fourteen gauge hollow needle creating a flesh tunnel in your nipples!
I screamed the most primal, gutteral scream I've ever screamed in my life. It hurt more than anything I'd ever experienced. My boyfriend held my hand and I squeezed so hard I think I hurt him a little bit. I took a few deep breaths and braced myself for the next one, because even though I knew it was going to hurt, I didn't go through all that pain just to go home lopsided.
I got through the next one a bit more peacefully. The piercing chick bandaged me up and sent me out the door... without asking me for payment. I went back and paid her because I thought she deserved something for putting up with me. The best part of the whole experience was when I walked out of the piercing room and the guy who was waiting to get his nipples pierced asked me what I just had done. When I told him, he got really pale and he looked at his girlfriend questionably.
I left the parlor rather pale and dizzy myself and my boyfriend took me to get something to eat so I could hopefully get some of my energy back. It didn't work so well. I was stumbling like a drunk so he took me home so we could just chill and watch some movies.
The following weeks were rife with tenderness, antibacterial soap, and a few impromptu photo shoots with my boyfriend. Flash forward to about two months later and I start to notice that the space between the entry and exit sites of the piercings was shrinking. The piercings were surfacing. I had no idea what to do, I didn't know who to ask and I thought that maybe it would stop. I kept taking care of my piercings like I had for the past few months, but the piercings just kept getting more and more shallow. Finally it came to the point where I could actually see the jewelry through my skin. It was as thin as paper. I wound up having to take the rings out
Finally, I found out why the piercings got so shallow. The circumfrence of the rings was too small. My body rejected the dramatic curvature and actually pushed the rings out. Had I gotten barbells or huge rings, they would have healed properly and I could have put smaller rings in later.
The good news is I didn't lose any nipple sensitivity. The piercings healed over and left some scars, but did no real damage. Especially since I didn't at any point get an infection no thanks to the shady parlor on the other side of town. I haven't even bothered to go back and see if they're still there.
So I guess the moral of the story is if the place is crappy enough to not ask for I.D., if they don't ask you to pay, don't feel bad about it because you'll wind up losing the piercing anyways. Ok, that's not true. The REAL moral is wait until you're 18 and go to a place that only employs professionals and uses the cleanest equipment and most sterile procedures.