Hi, I'm Emma and just over two weeks ago I got both nipples pierced. I'd wanted them done for ages, for two main reasons, one because I love the way it looks, and two because of the heightened sensitivity and awareness that a piercing brings.
At A Glance Author Emma Contact Emma@bme.anon When N/A Artist Jeanette Studio Acid Gear Location Strathpine The shop I like going to, Acid Gear opposite Westfield Strathpine, was open late as it was a Thursday night, so after work I headed straight there. I walked straight in, told them I wanted my nipples done, and had a look around while the customer who was already there selected her jewellery for her lip piercing. Then I was taken to a piercing room, and lifted my shirt/bra so my nipples could be measured for jewellery. I felt a bit uncomfortable because I'm a size 18 and feel a bit gross about myself, and I don't go around showing people my breasts every day, but Ren made me feel ok about it, and didn't throw up when I exposed some skin like I half expected her to...
So anyway, I was sized, got some 14ga surgical stainless steel curved bars with 4mm balls, the lager gauge with smaller balls of the two I was offered (Ren also said that most jewellery comes in 14ga, so keep that in mind if/when you get yours done). I got SSS because I knew I wouldn't get a reaction to it, and didn't want to risk anything different. They didn't need ID because I'd already had my tongue and eyebrow pierced there, and had my snugs (now retired) and my industrial, both which I hadn't had pierced there but I went there to have them fixed when they weren't healing right and were infected. I paid $100 for both piercings and SSS jewellery.
I went into a booth with Jeanette, and she went though the numbing stuff with me, either the cream or spray. She said they supposedly work as well as each other, so it was up to me. She had lots of appointments that night, and since I hadn't made one I could either have the numbing cream and leave it for an hour (you have to leave the cream on for an hour anyway) and come back then she could pierce me between appointments, or I could wait 10 mins for another piercing to be done and she could fit me in before the next piercing, using the spray for numbing. I opted for the spray.
So I waited. And in like 15 mins, I was in the chair.
It was easier to just take my shirt and bra off, and yet again I was thankful for the professionalism of these ladies. It was intimidating and embarrassing being shirtless in front of an almost stranger, but she acted like it was nothing so it helped me remember that she must do this every day...
She sprayed me with the numbing spray, and we chatted for a bit while it took effect. She took out her piercing kit and unpacked it in front of me, and opened the needles and jewellery. Then she marked me, showed me, clamped me and fiddled around getting my nipple in the right spot in the clamps, which only hurt as much as pinching them hard and pulling them. She gave me a paper bib to tuck under my breasts. She pierced my left one first, and I felt it go through with a slight bump-bump-bump feeling, and it only hurt wen it came out the other side but she distracted me by saying 'done' so it didn't really register and it didn't really hurt. I opened my eyes (I had them closed tight- I'm a bit of a wuss) looked down and saw the plastic sleeve thing, but couldn't watch her put the bar through because my breasts are large and the way they lie make it so I cant see the piercing clearly. Then she had some trouble putting the ball on, so she made do and did my right one. The clamping was the same process, as was the piercing, but about half way through I felt a sharp pain, and breathed in sudden and deep. It stopped hurting by the time she had put the ball on. After a new ball for the other side I was done, she took the 'bib' off me, wiped the trickles of blood off, and taped thick cotton make-up remover pads over my nipples. They were aching slightly, but it was hardly anything.
About half an hour later I was almost vomiting with the pain. I couldn't sit or stand in any way to reduce it. I can't take any pain relief because I'm on a medication that will react to it, but normally I find Advil the best piercing pain relief. About 40mins later the pain gradually went, to be replaced with waves of aching.
I soaked/rinsed them that night with warm running water, and wasn't fussed with getting the blood clumps that wouldn't budge off. I taped fresh pads to them before I went to bed. Sleeping that night was a pain in the ass, I slept on my back and half-awake so I didn't sleep on my boobs. I soaked them in the shower again the next morning to get rid of the fresh dried blood, and taped more pads on. I was very aware of them that day; they only ached every now and again.
For the next two or three days the aching became less and was less often. They bled at night a little for about three nights. I caught one on my shower-sponge thing, and it hurt a lot. I soaked them twice with salt water but it made them worse, so I didn't do it anymore. I've only really cleaned them with warm running water in the shower and when I went for a check-up she said they looked great and to keep doing whatever I was doing.
I fully recommended getting them, and if you're a bit self-conscious like me just remember that the piercers have seen it all before and do this every day.
Since getting them I've felt like I've got a sexy little secret, and it's improved my self confidence. My mum still doesn't know because I'm 17 and she'd kill me if she found out. I'm planning to tell her next year... Maybe....
If you want any more detailed info, please feel free to e-mail me.
Emma