At A Glance
Author	April
Contact	April@bme.anon
When	Six months ago
Artist	Can't remember name
Studio	Pure Hocus Pocus
Location	King's Lynn

Six months ago I made the decision to have my nipples pierced.

I had been researching nipple piercings for months, finding out the risks and advice on the healing process. I felt ready but I wanted to wait until exams were behind me so that I would have nothing to worry about should my nipples start hurting.

After all my exams were out of the way, I found myself in the town centre with my boyfriend at the time. On the pure spur of the moment, my boyfriend and I decided to get pierced [his lip, my nipples].

I almost ran to Pure Hocus Pocus, where all of my piercings have been carried out [my ears twice, navel, tongue, nipples]. I wouldn't think about going anywhere else for any future body mods. The staff in Pure are friendly and very good at what they do; I would recommend anyone who is considering getting pierced to go to Pure.

I entered Pure, approached the desk and asked if I could have my nipples pierced. Direct and to the point.

The woman [can't remember her name, even though she has pierced me several times now...] asked for ID and I had to sign a form. She couldn't believe that I wanted both done at the same time and so early in the morning [it was around 10am].

I had to have both done so I would be symmetrical!

However, she told me that I could pay afterwards, just in case I wanted to stop after one.

I picked out my jewellery [green barbells] and went into one of the piercing booths. I sat down and took off my top and lowered my bra. The fear was really setting in now. My heart was pounding. My boyfriend made some joke about turning me on so my nipples would be erect but I was too afraid to listen to him.

The woman, wearing surgical gloves, disinfected my nipples.

Soon the first one was up. She got out the needle and told me to take a deep breath in. I did and then, when she told me to breathe out, the needle went through.

Peering down at my nipple was strange. This was the first piercing that I could actually see. I might have found it all very interesting, if I hadn't have been panicking about the hole in my nipple.

The pain was unusual but bearable. Now that I reflect on it I feel that it was the least painful piercing I have experienced.

My boyfriend during all of this was no help. I kept asking him to talk to me but that boy can't ramble for anything. My piercer took the hint and went over the aftercare with me as she was fitting the jewellery. This helped my nerved and took my mind of the piercing.

I would advise having someone who can talk to you and calm you a little near by should you get any piercing done. I know I always need a hand to hold!

I then was asked whether I wanted to carry on with the second one. I, of course, did and the second piercing was prepared.

The procedure was the same and it was over relatively fast. I was calmer for this piercing and managed to watch most of it [to my delight].

I have heard that the second piercing has hurt more for others but I didn't find much difference in the two.

The woman put two plasters over my nipples to stop any bleeding and asked if I was ok.

Unfortunately, I wasn't. I was feeling very faint and had to lay down while my boyfriend was prepared for his piercing. I soon recovered and came to watch his piercing.

After paying and saying thank you, we made our way to get a drink.

Walking down the high street with my new secret piercings was an amazing feeling.

However, the heavy feeling of my chest was not amazing. The sensation was like having a heavy load on top of my chest. The sensation wasn't painful, just uncomfortable.

The healing process has been relatively problem free.

I took to wearing a supporting camisole to bed to give pressure to the piercings as they healed and to stop myself from catching them in the night.

Of course I followed the cleaning instructions I had been given and kept a close eye on them.

Both nipples are nearly fully healed. I had a small amount of problems with one of my nipples with it being sore and bleeding slightly. I put some of these problems down to not being careful enough with my nipple. Catching the piercing on clothes etc. probably aggravated it.

I would advise that anyone experiencing prolonged healing, get the piercing looked at by your piercer/doctor and persevere if nothing is wrong. It's worth it in the end. I now have two beautiful nipple piercings that I adore.

My nipples became swollen and tender after the piercings and they were sensitive to everything but this faded, so don't panic too early about the size or shape of your nipples if you do get them pierced.

And lastly, make sure you have eaten enough before you get any piercings! Despite thinking I had eaten enough, I nearly passed out. Don't skip breakfast like I did! Fainting during a piercing could be ugly.