I have been thinking about getting my nipples pierced for at least a year, and finally took the plunge five days ago. I am posting this because I want other 51 year old women to consider this—so far, I love my piercings!
At A Glance Author MaineWriter Contact MaineWriter@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Didn't introduce himself Studio Pins & Needles Location Portland, ME Like I said, this has been on my mind for awhile. My husband got his left nipple pierced last year, as a gift to me for my 50th birthday. I said I would do the same but every time I felt like I had enough nerve, it was usually too late at night, so I just kept postponing.
Then I met Elena online who has two pierced nipples. We started chatting and she answered a bunch of my questions. That helped a lot. This past Wednesday, we were chatting online and I said, "I think I am just going to stop after work and have this done," and she told me to go for it. I should point out that I have a pierced navel, so this wasn't entirely new for me.
I went to Pins and Needles, which I drive by every day going to and from work. I figure they have been in business for at least ten years so they know what they are doing, even though I have never known anyone else who has been there. But then, I don't have any friends with tattoos or piercings, so who would I ask?
I went in. The place was clean. I talked to the guy at the counter who told me a nipple piercing was $35, whether one or two. I asked about a barbell (per Elena) and he told me, no, they only use CBRs, explaining how the tissue can swell up too much around a barbell to move the jewelry. He took my money and I had to wait a few minutes while they finished piercing the lip of the girl who came in before me.
The cash register guy seemed to be an apprentice and he set everything up, but not in front of me. They pulled down the shade and brought out some screens to provide privacy. Once everything was set he told me to come on over. The piercer (no one introduced themselves) was waiting for me.
I asked about jewelry and was told that they use 14 ga CBRs. I didn't get a choice. Everything was set up on the table and the piercer said, "Let's go." The cash register/apprentice guy was watching—not sure if it was to learn how or to act as a chaperone. Anyway, the piercer marked each nipple, picked up the clamp, pushed the needle through, then put the ring in place. On to nipple number two: clamp, pierce, ring. The entire thing must have taken 30 seconds. At this point I looked down and said, okay, they're pierced.
The piercer put balls on each of them and closed them up with a pair of pliers. The cash register/apprentice started rattling off aftercare instructions—and that was it. I stood up and said, "Can I look in the mirror?" and they both shrugged. I got the feeling that they didn't think a 51 year old woman getting her nipples pierced was interesting or sexy. Oh well...I left a $10 tip on the counter and headed out the door. The piercer actually looked surprised when I left a tip and did thank me, several times.
My husband, on the other hand, thinks they are the hottest thing he has ever seen! He can't wait til they are completely healed so he can play with them.
Since their aftercare instructions were minimal, I read a bunch of stuff online and consulted with Elena. One thing they didn't suggest, but that I have read everywhere, is sea salt soaks, twice a day. I can vouch that these soaks make a tremendous difference. After washing in the shower and doing the rotating, the piercings feel a little tender. The soak calms that feeling down and they don't hurt at all—for hours afterwards. So for anyone thinking about this, I strongly recommend salt soaks –1 tsp salt to two cups of hot water is the recipe I am using.
Five days later, the piercings look great. Very little crusty stuff at all and very little pain. I love to look at them and I love the way they feel. While my experience at Pins and Needles was perhaps a little less personal than some of the others described here, I think they did a fine job in terms of sterility and technique. And besides...I don't know how personal I need to get. I am not going to run in once a week to get something pierced, after all.
To anyone thinking about a nipple piercing, I would say, go for it! I love mine—I feel hot and sexy and my nipples look great.