I'd liked the idea of having a nipple piercing for ages. Whenever I saw a guy walking around shirtless who'd had it done then I wanted to join the club. Yet, for some reason I held back. I know that a lot of my friends would either take the piss if they knew or would be shocked. If I was going to have it done then I didn't want it done in my home town, just in case I was seen going into or out of the studio.
At A Glance Author Barry When A week ago Studio Nemesis Location Blackpool, UK So, when I was going to the coast for a day out, I decided I'd have it done. I knew there were several possible venues in the town. As soon as I arrived, I went to one studio and had a look inside. Downstairs was the reception and displays of tattoos. The business was done upstairs. I had a look around but went away.
During the day, I had a look at several other studios but never quite plucked up the courage. Eventually, I ended up back at the first place - I think it was called Nemesis - and spoke to the guy on the desk. He put my mind at rest about how easy it would be to remove the piercing if my girlfriend didn't like it. So, I took the plunge and said I'd have it done. The place looked empty but he said that he wouldn't be able to do it then. It was well into the afternoon and I had the shock that, after all the working up to it, he wouldn't be able to do it. I needn't have worried. He just told be to come back in 20-30 minutes.
That was one of the longest 20 minutes of my life. I wondered around, constantly looking at the time, desperate to get on with it before I chickened out. When I got back there, there were two guys at the reception. After so long thinking there was something weird about wanting a piercing, it was great to talk naturally. One checked that they had everything and set the steriliser going whilst I filled in the forms. When the first guy came back, he showed me the rings, apologising that they only had coloured ones. Near panic again - I only remembered 'girly' ones. What if I still couldn't have it done? I needn't have worried though - there was a dark blue ring that I selected. More panic came when the piercer remarked on my allergy to sticking plasters. His colleague, though, confirmed that it just meant he couldn't put on a pad afterwards.
So, at last, I was taken upstairs. I was asked to wait whilst the piercer set up the gear. Sitting there, the nerves set it. If I hadn't paid the fee, I might have walked out. Finally, I was taken into the booth. I stripped my shirt off and nervously sat on the bench. Despite the nerves, it seemed natural. The piercer told me about aftercare and started preparing my nipple (after checking which one - the left). The piercer said his two rules were no shouting or kicking - I could see that kicking might be a problem - my foot was in line with his nuts!
There was a sharp pain and then another smaller one. I didn't shout but did gasp 'fuck!' I'd read about how much it would hurt when the nipple was clamped. Thinking that this was the clamping and the needle would follow, I wondered how I'd cope with more pain. Then, I realised that this was it. The piercer fitted the ball on the ring and cleaned off my nipple. During the process, I'd kept looking straight ahead. Now, I wish I'd paid more attention to what he was doing. The piercer reminded me about aftercare and warned that there might be some pain in an hour or two. I put on my shirt, taking care not to touch the ring and went downstairs. As I did, I felt great. I'd done it. I'd taken the pain. I felt I'd achieved something, that I was more of a man. I felt a foot taller as I left the studio.
I was surprised how easy it had been. The only pain was when the needle went through. As I wandered around before driving home, the piercing did throb a bit but nothing too bad. I did take special care putting on my seatbelt though!
Since then, I've had a bit of pain but nothing to talk about, only when I caught it as I put my shirt on. The next day, I had to take care over which exercises I performed at the gym. Oddly, I felt embarrassed when getting changed and other people saw the piercing. The next visit, though, I was a lot more confident, proud of what I'd had done and pleased to show it off. Now, I'm thinking off getting the right done.