So, after extensive research (I read nipple experiences on bme until my eyes glazed over) I decided to just go through with it.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Zigg Studio Industrial Strength Location Berkeley, CA 94709 I only have one other piercing (tongue- I don't even have my ears pierced) so I was fairly terrified. I had the same fear I had when I got my tongue pierced- that I would unintentionally move during the piercing and rip through a chunk of skin. I'm not nearly hardcore enough to want bifurcated nipples.
I was also concerned about healing time. Apparently 6 months is the standard, but I wasn't sure what that meant. Six months without touching my nipples?
Also, of the female friends I have with pierced nipples, all of them have had problems with infections. One got mastitis (apparently the most painful problem that can occur after a nipple piercing), one had a nipple that took 2 years to heal, and another waited a year before realizing her nipples may never heal. I tried to convince myself that I was generally healthier than these women, and that I would be even more strict about aftercare, but it was still troubling.
Anyway, I decided I would go crazy if I didn't get them pierced, and got 3 of my closest friends to go with me. The piercer only let 2 in the room with me, but the poor boy abandoned in the waiting room knew he'd get to see them eventually, so it wasn't too tragic.
Zigg was very friendly and professional. She talked to me about her own experience with her nipple piercings and made sure I really wanted to go through with it.
She drew dots on either sides of my nipples and had me check the entry and exit points, although I was so foggy-headed I just decided to trust her judgment. She had me sit straight up and I clutched my friend's hand as hard as I could.
I want to relate at this point that I am an extreme wimp when it comes to pain, and I have terribly sensitive nipples. A light touch on my nipples can make me squirm. Also, my breasts were tender and sore since I was on my period. So I was anticipating the most pain I'd ever felt in my life.
The clamps didn't really hurt all that much. They felt like a firm, but not cruel, pinch. She "set" the needle against one side of my right nipple and told me to take a deep breath. When I breathed out, I felt the sharp pain course through my nipple. But my first thought was, "wow, that was actually tolerable." Yes, it hurt, but it wasn't at the unimaginable degree of pain I'd been anticipating. Zigg and my friends reminded me to keep breathing (I'd entirely forgotten how to breathe.)
I was excited for the next nipple, since I was so relieved by the relative painlessness of the first. The next one hurt like hell. I know everyone says the second one hurts more, well, it's true. I moved a bit during the piercing and started to bleed. After the blood was wiped up, I looked down for the first time since checking the placement of the pen dots.
It was a shock to see the barbells in my nipples. Zigg went over aftercare, but thankfully also handed me a aftercare information sheet, since I was so light-headed I was just nodding at every word she said without anything entering my brain.
My nipples were numb on the car ride home, and hurt again about an hour later. My breasts were sore all night long, and my nipples burned. Honestly, though, I was in more pain because I was sleeping on my back, which is uncomfortable for me.
On day 2 there was no pain. It's been over 2 weeks now and everything's gone perfectly. A spot of blood on day 4, and little crusty bits every once in a while, but other than that, no pain or oozing. I even accidentally caught one on a loofah in the shower (be careful!) and wrenched the barbell to one side without any pain or bleeding.
I'm still being very regimental about cleaning, sea salt soaks, and allowing no touching. I think in a couple months I'll rescind my "no touching" policy, but I still plan to be very careful until I hit the 6-month mark.
If you're considering this piercing but are nervous about the pain, I advise you to just do it, and worry as little as possible. I really am extremely sensitive to pain (I dread flu shots weeks in advance and cry when getting my teeth cleaned) and even I was able to tolerate this. It changed my relationship with pain in general, and the piercings themselves have made me very happy.
If you're in the Berkeley area, go to Industrial Strength. I find it to be the best place for piercings.
Good luck! Happy piercing!