Hi, I'm Emma. I have my tongue, eyebrow and industrial/scaffolding pierced, and 4 lobe piercings in each ear. I'm 17 and quit school last year to start my chef's apprenticeship (I'm currently in my 2nd year).
At A Glance Author Emma Contact Emma@bme.anon When A week ago Artist I don't know her name Studio Cosmetics Plus Location Northlakes Westfield, QLD Australia Last week I was talking to my friend Chris and decided I wanted vertical piercings added to my horizontal nipple piercings. So we decided after I finished work on Tuesday we'd go to a piercing shop near him and I'd get them done. But, as I work in the hospitality industry, of course that fucked up and it was too late to go there.
BULLSEYE'S BULLSHIT
So I went to a nearby piercing shop (Bullseye Tattooing at Petrie, QLD) and asked if he'd do them. He said ok, and then his bullshit started. He was rude. He made me uncomfortable. I talk when I'm nervous, and he kept telling me to shut up. He got out straight bars when I wanted curved, and didn't ask me if the markings were ok, just told me to lie down. He didn't even wear gloves to mark me! I asked if he'd done many before, and he said thousands. Obvious bullshit, and that made me nervous. He put on gloves and clamped me, painfully, and as he was taking out the needle I said hold on, wait a sec. He stopped, and I was worried he'd keep going that's how scared I was of him. I breathed deep, wondering if I really wanted to do this. He didn't unclamp me, offer any works of comfort, ask if I was ok, or offer to let me sit up. Meanwhile my nipple was giving me great pain. I decided no, I didn't want to do this. I told him and he got ruder! I put my bra and shirt back on as he said, you're going to pay me $20 for wasting my time, and for making me break the sterile packaging. I was almost in tears, I'd never chickened out of a piercing before. I left the room and put $20 on the counter, thinking fair enough because it's all my fault. I left the shop and walked a little way round the corner, and sat down on a bench, shaking. He followed me! He did his speech, and said again, $20. I told him it was on the bench and he goes 'fine', turned around and said 'Don't even think about coming back again'. I nearly threw something at him! I called Chris, bawling my eyes out, and slowly started to feel better. Lying half naked in front of a big scary man who has your nipple in a clamp and a needle to it is not a good experience.
Moral of the story; Don't trust a man with a wearing tight leather pants.
GETTING IT DONE....FINALLY
Bullshit Bullseye was on a Tuesday, and that Saturday we both had the day off so I was going to get it done at the original piercing shop. But they didn't have time, because I stupidly didn't make an appointment. No other shop we called could fit me in either. So we went to Northlakes Westfield which has a Cosmetics Plus. Normally I wouldn't go there but I wanted them done that day, so I made a decision and paid. I was going back in half an hour. Chris and I wandered round for a while, I got a sugar fix, and we went back. I went into the room and had a bit of a chat with the piercer. I asked her if she'd done crosses or verticals before. I was to be her first cross. I think she said her first vertical too. She only had straight bars, so I asked if they had any curved in the cabinets. If they didn't I wouldn't be getting them done. In luck, they did, but only in a feral gold colour... so that was another $10, bringing the total to $80. Chris and I checked out the jewellery and junk in the shop for 15mins or so while they were autoclaved. I was nervous as hell, but wanted them more then I didn't, and more then I was worried bout the pain. Wen she said to come back in, I asked if Chris could come, firstly cos I needed a bit of moral support, and secondly cos he's into piercing and all that fun stuff. She said sure, so he came in and I watched her take out the needles, the clamps and the jewellery. They had a bit of a talk about implants and surface piercings which made me realise she does know what she's on about (cos she looked really young), and it took the attention from me a bit so I could do my breathing/mediation/affirming to myself I want these done. We had a chat as to weather she should go in front or behind the existing piercing, and decided behind was best, and she was confident doing them. Then it was time to take my shirt and bra off (if you don't want your stomach on show, wear a singlet and just pull down the top). She alcohol swabbed me then marked me, with gloves and after washing her hands etc, and I checked them out, better placement then Bullseye, his were crooked. I laid down on the table and she clamped me. I saw the needle as she put it to my nipple, then closed my eyes as she said breathe in and out, nice and slow. I felt the needle go slowly through my nipple, but it didn't really hurt till it got to the middle. I was just really aware of it and the hurt was totally bearable. In an attempt to keep calm and not move my boobs, I lifted and stretched my leg but didn't shout out or swear, and I didn't really feel the need to. She took out the needle, and put the jewellery in, and I felt the plastic sleeve thing slide out. Then I looked at it, aww it was so pretty despite the fugly gold colour. She bandaged it and since the bed was against the wall I switched ends, so she could get the other side. The piercer encouraged me to swear and scream, and Chris said to just say whatever I was thinking. But I was just thinking, ahh, it's done. I was so relaxed. I reckon the pain passes soon enough, so why make The right side hurt starting hurting sooner, and was sharper. I groaned in my throat and tensed my legs. I understood why she had to go slow, so she didn't get the bar already in there, so I didn't mind. But that was soon done, and the jewellery was in. that one was bandaged and I sat up, babbled for a minute cos I forgot my words when I was asked if I was ok, and then got down, thanked her and left.
AFTERWARD
There was a lot of pain, spreading from my nipple to my breast, but it passed in a couple of hours. It's now been 24hrs and they ache when touched, they're so sensitive. There was a lot of dried blood yesterday when I cleaned them, but it wasn't that bad. Warm salt soaks last night were heaven. I didn't cover them in cotton pads last night (for a couple of hours) and I kept touching them, so if they get infected that would be why. Stupid me... The piercer said not to wear a bra but because my boobs are huge I find it more comfortable to wear a bra with cotton make-up pads over my nipples, so I don't get blood on my bra. And because it's easier to hide from my mum, who doesn't want me to have them yet, she says when I'm 18, but I'm getting a triangle for my 18th.
DAY 1 TO 7
I absolutely love them, in spite of the gold bars, but that's just my taste in jewellery. The end of Day One, and they're still swollen, still bleed a little every now and again and last night while I slept. I get some hurt when they get knocked or brushed, and sometimes just cos they feel like hurting. It's not pain, just an ache.
Day Two: they bled a little overnight, and were sore so I woke up when I laid on them. They bled at work too, and ached. I'm loving them more and more. I don't feel the same 'sexy little secret' as last time, or the same kick of confidence, but I can hardly wait till they're healed enough to change bars. I get chills every now and again, and it feels so weird when my nipple moves down the bar... the ache is starting to get annoying, so I've taped them up and took a Panadol. Crossing fingers for a good night's sleep.
Day Three: Slept really well, yay! Then they bled, and ached. Surprise surprise.... I wore a cloth bra and tight-ish singlet, big mistake... you could see them clearly. I think that trick is one to save for a rainy day. The hors I didn't find a problem by themselves but I suppose 4 is more noticeable... Taping the whole lot down with a band-aid helped, but it has to be able to cover all 4 balls otherwise its kinda useless.
Day Four: they didn't hurt today, and I slept so well... The left is good, hardly any blood, but the right has lots of drops of dried blood, both on my bra and crusted. They itched too. And I felt a tinge of sexy secret today, it put a little bit of a smile on my face... People I've told usually get grossed out, since its such a sexual piercing, or horrified cos of the pain. I really like them, even the gold is growing on me. I still want new bars, I'm thinking bright green to go with my purple bars, or black horseshoes for my hors and put the purple in the verts. The sensitivity is making me nuts! They were unresponsive before I got them pierced the first time, now I just have to brush them and I feel it. The level of sensitivity is supposed to drop after a few weeks so I can handle that I suppose. Time for a salt soak I think...
Day Five: They didn't bleed or hurt today! Yay I'm so happy. They are gorgeous... I ordered a pair of pale green bars today; I get them 2 weeks after I got them pierced so I'll be able to change them that day. They should look great with my purple bars. The sensitivity has died down a bit. It didn't hurt wen they got banged at work, but there was more sensation then normal. They're so gorgeous when not crusted in blood.
Day Six: This is supposed to go to day 7, but they don't hurt, they're not permanently hard anymore, and they're not bleeding. So nothing new to report. They do itch a bit though. And I can feel the bars through the nipple, which is cool.
They are gorgeous. I love them. I can hardly wait for the green bars. They don't hurt anymore then the first set, and you get used to the crowded look. I've rambled on enough I think so have fun and happy piercing.
Emma