I was staying in Bournemouth, visiting a friend in hospital. He has been ill for many years and his condition has now reached a plateau where there will be no improvement. I realised that week that life is so short, no dress rehearsal and only one chance at it. Many things in my mind suddenly got priority.
At A Glance Author astonish Contact astonish@bme.anon When A month ago Artist A Great Guy! Studio Metal Fatigue Location Bournemouth, Dorset, UK In my youth I had my ear pierced but soon got tired of it and removed it. On my 30th birthday I had my naval pierced, it looked great but I kept getting infections despite my strict cleansing routine. At the time my job involved a lot of driving, wearing a belt with my suit kept rubbing the site and eventually I removed it as it felt so uncomfortable. Since then I have wanted to try other piercing's.
A nipple piercing was not my first choice! I wanted a guiche but could not justify the £60 particularly with Christmas just around the corner! The Saturday I decided was the time to have a piercing would have been my Grandfather's 100th birthday and I thought that would be an appropriate way of acknowledging this mile stone.
I showered and put on clean clothes and made my way straight in to "Paradox", the shop where I had seen lots of jewellery in the window thinking that was the studio. Having had a loom around the shop I asked the guy behind the counter if I needed an appointment to have a piercing. No was the reply, we do not do them here on these premises. My heart sank, the adrenaline was flowing. I had picked up the courage to ask and then was told they didn't pierce there. I almost bottled it! He then took me to the door and pointed a building out on the other side of the road. "See that....green door, 3rd floor" literally a minute away. A pat on the shoulder and he sent me on my way. I am sure he was not watching me, I did not turn around, but I felt I could not walk straight past the green door!
After climbing the three flights of stairs, I entered the studio. The place was welcoming, comfy leather chairs and that clean antiseptic smell, lots of large house plants and a bass guitar and amp in one corner.
I asked about having a guiche piercing but when told the price asked how much to have my left nipple pierced. I was given a leaflet to read and a disclaimer to sign. I read every single letter on the pages! Having paid the money I was invited into the studio. White tiled walls, black leather chair and loads of natural daylight. All instruments were autoclaved and all jewellery in sealed sterile packets.
On removing my shirt, my nipple was marked out with two pen marks and I inspected the marks in the mirror to check it was in the desired place.
The area was thoroughly cleaned with an anti bacterial solution and patted dry. I could hear lots of packets being opened onto a sterile field. A clamp was put in position, not that it felt like a clamp. It was like a small pinch, more like a clothes peg! I was asked to take a deep breathe and hold it and then to exhale slowly. As I did, the piercing was done. It was pierced from left to right. I was not aware that the piercing had been done until the needle came through the right side of my nipple. A shout of F**K! That's it he said. No blood, no discharge. He inserted the bar and told me "that's it". Obviously, the area was tender. I stood up and looked at the bar in my left nipple. It looked fantastic.
A small non allergenic adhesive dressing was put over the area to prevent it rubbing on my shirt. I was told to remove it once I got home.
Written and oral instructions on how to care for the piercing were given and I was on my way with a small bag of sea salt.
I have followed the instructions to the letter, and so far, no problems. The instructions are very clear and easy to understand. The area was very tender the following morning and throbbed for about 24 hours. Since then, unless I catch the area or look at it I do not know it is there! After a couple of days of following the routine for cleaning it becomes second nature.
I would recommend this piercing and studio to any one without reservation. I am hoping to get my guiche early in the New Year, if I can wait that long! I will get the name of the guy who performed the deed and add it to my next report on my guiche piercing!