My love for piercings isn't a recent thing. I've always been into body modification, but until recently, haven't had much done because of age restrictions and simple indecisive-ness. However, now that I'm legally old enough to get piercings without consent, I'm starting to build a small collection. I've already had a VCH, which I also documented on BME, and I finally had my nipples pierced 3 days ago.
At A Glance Author Niki Contact nikial1@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Vince Studio Silver on the Mount Location Hollywood, FL The idea for the nipple piercing started as a joke, after I had the hood done. My boyfriend at the time loves piercings and was trying to talk me into it, and I kept putting it off, citing the pain as the big turnoff. Well, after doing quite a bit of research on here and talking to other people I know who have had their nipples done, I finally got up the courage to get my own done.
Although I didn't spend as much time as it sounds making up my mind, actually getting the piercings done was continually delayed. At first, I kept spending the money I put aside for it, and when I finally had enough, I went to the shop and the piercer was out of town for a week. Luckily, if I paid for it then, because I was doing the double, I only had to pay full price for one and half price for the second. I decided right then and there to pay and just come back in a week.
Well, that turned out to be a huge mistake. Once I had paid, I started having huge doubts about doing the piercing. I've learned that anticipating a piercing is the worst part for me...once I decide I want it done, I need to have it done right then! I ended up waiting almost two weeks before I went back, but I finally went back on Tuesday.
The shop was rather crowded, which I'm not used to. I know they have a steady stream of business, but I don't normally see more than one or two people in there. After I checked in with the front desk people, I was told to sit in the waiting area and they would call when they were ready for me. I had brought a friend along with me and she was the only thing keeping me sane right then. I could see the station from my seat, so I watched them sterilize the chair and lay out all the needles and accountrements of piercing, which only heightened my anxiety.
Finally, it was my turn to get pierced. I walked into the station and Vince pulled the curtain closed. He was my piercer for the hood, so I was already comfortable with him. He told me to take off my shirt and bra whenever I was ready, and since I've never had a problem being topless, I just pulled them off and threw them on the table. He had me sit in the chair as straight as I could and got ready to clamp me. The clamps hurt. They hurt horribly and all I could think was, "If I can't handle clamps, how will I handle the needle?" I said as much to him and he sort of laughed and told me not to worry, the clamps were by far the worst part. Now, on most of the stories I've read on here, first one nipple was clamped and pierced and then the second one was done. Vince clamped both nipples at the same time and had me hold the clamp on the other one while he pierced. When it was time to do the first one, he had me take 3 big deep breaths and on the third exhale, he pierced. Surprisingly enough, I could barely feel the needle, but then again, the clamp was still really bothering me. He did the same with the second nipple, and contrary to what I've heard from alot of people, I think the first one was worse. I liked knowing what to expect as far as pain goes, I guess. After he had the needle through, he removed the clamps.
I was expecting to feel pain then-I mean, honestly, I was sitting there with 14 gauge needles through my nipples, you would think it would hurt a little, but I couldn't even feel them. He had told me not to look down as I have a slight needle phobia, so I waited, staring at the ceiling, until he put the jewelery through. I was expecting that to hurt too, but I couldn't feel any pain. It was an uncomfortable feeling, because I could feel the hoops sliding through and the needle pulling out, but it really wasn't painful in the slightest. He snapped the balls into place and told me I was done.
Before I left, he told me one other tip to help them heal, other than cleaning and LITHA: Keep a band-aid across the bottom of the hoop. The reason behind doing this is that it keeps the jewelery from flipping up and down and tearing or irratating the wound while it heals. I've been keeping the bandaids on and have noticed a difference when I take them off to shower or clean the piercings. I highly recommend the band-aids to anyone with a fresh nipple piercing.
All told, I'm so glad I went through with this. I broke up with my boyfriend right before I had it done and it almost feels like a way of asserting my sense of self, because now I have a special thing on my body that is purely for me, not for anyone else. To anyone who is thinking about doing their nipples and is scared of the pain, don't be. Yes, everyone is different, but the pain is minimal and even now, 3 days later, I'm sleeping on my stomach and the only time I even know they are there is when I clean them. So, please, don't let the fear of the pain keep you from a piercing that might just make you as happy as it made me. Good luck and happy piercing!