Mere days before my twenty-first birthday I decided I simply must have a body mod of some sort. I had planned to get a tattoo at eighteen and though I knew what I wanted (and still do) I was wishy- washy about actually getting it done. (And still am) Just a month previously I had ended a three-year relationship with a rather anti-piercing kinda guy. I was just about to lose my dream job after a big bought with mental illness that landed me in the loony bin for a weekend. I was batting a thousand. At nearly twenty-one years of age I needed something but I could not decide what....
At A Glance Author Valkyrie Contact Valkyrie@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Kathleen Drysdale "Katlyn" Studio Boji Tattoo Location Okoboji Iowa
I would eventually decide to have both nipples pierced.
I was faced with these milestones. Breaking off a three-year relationship and trying to keep the friendship. Re-discovering my freedom. Trying to hold on to the shreds of my sanity while my dream job slipped through my fingers. And in the midst of all this entering a relationship with an amazing person who would not only help me to re-discover myself as a sexual being but would also unlock possibilities I was not aware of.
I wanted something that would reflect all this. That would help me to re-claim my body, my spirit and my sexuality while reminding me of this extremely bittersweet time in my life.
I reconsidered my long awaited tattoo. Though a small and simple design I had not found an artist I trusted to do it. I decided to put it off yet again My ex really disliked body mods beyond a simple tattoo or tiny nose stud and I had resisted my urge to get facial piercings because of his dislike of them. Although I love the look of a heavily tattooed and pierced body, I am a stage actor and would not be comfortable trying to hide my own modifications. I decided against a facial piercing. What was left? I would have to go under my clothes. I decided I would have both my nipples pierced. I'm a nut for symmetry and couldn't stand the thought of having one with out the other.
Piercing my nipples just seemed logical. It was a mild modification I had always loved the aesthetic of but would never get while with my ex. I was intrigued by the possibility of any sexual enhancement such a piercing might bring. After consulting my new lover I discovered he was very excited by the idea. How could I resist?
I knew of two local piercing studios and was sure one had a female piercer. I called to check on price and make sure she did nipples. I made an appointment for about an hour later.
I had heard mixed reviews of the tattoo and piercing studio I was about to go to. It is located in a tourist area and caters mostly to drunken teens and twenty somethings looking for a cheap tongue piercing or butterfly tramp stamp. I admit in my excitement I didn't ask the right questions or do any research. Just like the giddy tourists I ran in and threw down my $50. I did notice my piercer's current license prominently displayed behind the counter but was a little dismayed when I noticed the lack of after care products on the sales shelf. I was further dismayed when my piercer had to stop to think of how to make a private area to pierce me in. With some creative placement of screens and a coat over a mirror we created a nook out of the publics view in which I could disrobe. A point in her favor, she locked the door and put up a sign reading "Piercing in progress. Please wait."
Most everything after "Ok, Take down your shirt..."(I was wearing a halter top and padded bra) is a blur. I recall she told me everything she was doing, as she marked and disinfected my skin. I paid close attention to note that she cleaned all the equipment and that the needles were sealed. Though my jewelry wasn't in sealed packaging she did disinfect it.
I laid down. She pierced my right nipple first. She instructed me to breath as she talked through clamping and piercing me. I wasn't expecting the pop as the needle went through. That was the most startling part. As she turned to grab my first ring I looked down at my clamped and pierced nipple. I was already high from the pain, the endorphin rush. I was immediately struck by the beauty of this needle in my flesh. I laid back and enjoyed the high as she put in the ring and we prepared to do the left.
My only other piercings are ear lobe piercings done with piercing guns. Five in total, though my first two were redone after healing over. My piercer noticed I didn't have any other piercings and commented as such. "Just going straight for the nipples, huh?" She was kinda surprised. I was somewhat proud...
On to my left. I was ready for the pop this time. I reveled in the endorphin rush. It seemed the left put up more resistance and the pop was almost a relief. She slipped the ring in, put in the ball and I sat up. Then the bleeding started. I wasn't expecting the bleeding either but it didn't bother me. I asked her if it was normal because she seemed alarmed. She cleaned me up and folded up paper towels (!!!!!!) to put in my bra for the blood.
I was totally taken aback by the use of the sort of paper towels you might find in your mom's kitchen.
After care instructions fell a bit short too. The recommendation was to use an antibacterial soap such as soft soap, clean twice a day, no mention of salt soaks or the suchlike. She suggested a little dab of Neosporin for the first week or so. She also suggested emu oil, which intrigued me. In spite of my dissatisfaction with a few key things I was so happy with the look and feel of my new piercings I tipped $10 and went on my way.
I immediately bought gauze to replace the paper towels and sea salt for soaks. I was unable to find a better antibacterial soap so I considered to the soft soap. I devised my own after care plan that I followed to a T for about four months. It included two soft soap cleanings a day, one salt soak and emu oil after every cleaning and as needed. Sixth months later I still soak a few times a week and use emu oil after I clean them as I've found these cold Iowa winters really seem to dry out piercings and the oil keeps them well lubed. In the last month I think I have developed a small cyst, which I am keeping a very close eye on but has caused me no trouble thus far.
All in all, my nipple piercing experience was a good one. I'd recommend nipple piercing to anyone willing to give a little more time and care to the healing of an extremely attractive, stimulating, gratifying and intimate piercing. In my piercings I found everything I was looking for.