Hi, I just had my nipple pierced yesterday and thought I'd write my story to help needle phobics who want to get pierced.
At A Glance Author Halos Contact Halos@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Deeta (?) Studio Eclipse Location Camden Town, London I had been thinking about getting my nipple pierced for a while, but with my needle phobia I never thought it would happen. I spoke to my friend (who has almost every piercing known to man) and she persuaded me to talk to the studio before I made a decision. I strongly recommend talking to a friend who has the piercing and talking to the studio about any fears/worries you may have.
Although the legal age for piercing is 16, most places said 18 with ID, so I went there prepared to wait a month till I was 18. I went to the studio with my boyfriend yesterday and said that I was thinking of getting it pierced. They said the age was 16 and as I was 17 I could get it done today. I explained my needle phobia and they were extremely helpful. Ask for what you want exactly. I asked for a bar not a ring, and I said I would prefer a female to do it as I am very shy. I went away to talk it over with my boyfriend then went back and paid.
The lady (I believe her name was Deeta, but I was panicking a bit so I wasn't paying full attention) took me into a room after about 10 minutes wait in the reception. Make sure the room is totally sterile, and that there are machines there to clean the equipment. If there aren't, ask them how they clean their equipment.
She asked me to take off my top and push my bra down round my waist. She cleaned the nipple I was getting pierced and marked either side with a pen where the bar would enter and exit. She asked me to stand in front of a mirror and make sure it was level. If your getting one, they should make sure it will be ok to have the second one done in the future, just in case you change your mind and want both done later.
I laid down on the bench in the middle of the room. She put a clamp on my nipple, exactly placed for the needle. She then went through breathing procedures to help me calm down. Don't worry if you panic or cry, they have seen it loads of times and know exactly how to help.
The first time she attempted to put the needle through I jumped up before she was even close. My needle phobia makes me automatically cover where the needle is going to go. She explained again that I had to be still for it to be even so I laid back down and sat on my hands this time! She pushed the needle in, and I'm not going to lie, it did hurt. I know I have a low barrier for pain so other people may not feel it as much as I did. It didn't hurt so much that I couldn't handle it though, it was a sharp pain that only lasted a second or 2. She then passed the bar through the hole, and this hurt a little bit but not as much as the needle, and that wasn't that bad really. She pulled the needle out which didn't hurt but I could feel it, then she screwed the ball onto the bar. Done.
After that she cleaned the marker off. I didn't see any blood, I wasn't looking but if there was it was only tiny as I didn't see any on the wipe. I stayed lying down for a few minutes to control my breathing then she showed me it in the mirror. It looks fantastic! That moment I had the largest grin on my face I had ever had. Seeing it there, actually there, made the pain worth it. I stayed topless in the room with her for a while, she turned the aircon up as the rush of endorphins makes you sweat like a pig. She put an adhesive dressing over it before I put my bra and top back on, gave me a glass of water then cleaned the equipment in front of me for the next customer. The needles are one use only so that went in the hazardous waste bin, but the rest was cleaned.
She let my boyfriend know I was OK, then when I had my legs back I went out into the reception again., with a huge grin on my face. My boyfriend had been worried I wouldn't cope with it, but when he saw my face he smiled too. I went shopping in Camden after we left the studio. It hurt a little now and again, but I suggest a good bar of chocolate to help. The sugar stops feinting (if you have a risk) and it takes your mind off things. Being a Wednesday it was almost empty, but make sure no-one bashes into you, especially on the underground/bus etc.
When I got home I showed it to my boyfriend before cleaning it by the studio's instructions. It looks great and I have had no problems. I covered it and wore a thin bra for bed, which I suggest you do as it stops it catching on anything. I've just cleaned it now and there are still no problems. It is still sore, but I was told it will settle after a couple of days. I'm glad I had it done, and I suggest anyone who wants it to go for it. At least have a chat to the studio. Eclipse were fantastic and I would recommend them to everyone.