When I walked into Oz Tattoo tonight I was there to See my ol' friend "OZ" and not really there for any "work". In the back of my mind I was thinking that I might get another piercing. Mostly I was there to talk and see what was up. I had just got back in town after being out of state for about a month. I thought it would be good to check out the shop and talk about a possible future portrait tattoo I had been thinking about.
At A Glance Author DB Contact DB@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Oz Studio Oz Tattoo Location Farmington hills , mi. I had brought along some jewelry that I'd collected up over the last couple years. I had a few nice single flare glass plugs in various small gauges that I had purchased as I stretched my lobes over the months, some titanium stuff and some nice stone plugs too. I also had a couple sets of black ti captive ball rings with Ivory balls in 14 and 12 gauge that I'd had Oz order for me from "Wildcat" a couple years ago but that I had never used.
I had in mind a second hole in my left lobe above the 0 gauge one that was already there. But I really didn't "plan on" anything being done tonight.
As I sat and watched Oz draw a nice free hand design on a very hot young lady's belly and ribs I was thinking back to when I used to spend a lot of time around the shop observing piercings and tattooing as an apprentice piercer. (but that's another story).
As the tattoo machine buzzed my mind wandered back.
I had always thought of getting my nipple (the left) or nipples pierced. I'm not sure why the left? It's always been more sensitive and just seemed that for me, it would be the one to get done.
As we talked and got caught up, He worked and I thought back...
Up until now I had always stopped when it came down to the actual piercing . I'd seen enough nipple piercings done to know that; Yeah, it was going to hurt. Normally piercings don't bother me. I've had a few and I always found it sort of a "rush".
It always seemed to me that women handled it better than the men when it came to nipple piercing. I'd even seen one guy pass out on the second nipple piercing. I've always thought that this was one of the "worst" piercings for a guy, other that some of the genital piercings.
Still, "I could handle" it I told myself. NO big deal.
While I waited I went next door for something to drink and thought things over. I drank my Sobe and I figured; What the hell tonight was as good a time as any.
So when I walked back in the shop I ask Oz if he could do the nipple piercing for me. The response was "Sure, you wanna do it? lets get you cleaned up and get things ready".
I knew from past experience at the shop that the autoclave was used religiously. Sterile was kept far from non sterile and that all health procedures were followed to the letter.
Oz set about getting packages with sterile needle,(14 ga.) forceps ready and I re-cleaned my already prepped captive ball ring.
I pulled off my shirt and hopped up in the chair.
Wow this was it ... He cleaned me off, quickly marked the spots having me stand straight with arms relaxed at my sides, lined up the forceps...
"Take a deep breath", "Let it out slow".
Oh shit! , the forceps slipped a little. Damn that hurt worse than the initial clamp. Now I'm nervous.
"OK , "deep breath".
WHOA!
"Let it out" Oz urged. "Breath" he reminded me again.
A wave of nausea passed over me and as quickly was gone. I took another deep breath then and felt the burn spread across my left chest
It was over, he was lining up the ball with gloved fingers and closing the ring with the small stainless steel ring pliers. It was done in less time than it took to write it.
I felt a trickle of blood running down my chest and looked down. Hey it looked great! The black ring was straight and level, the white ivory ball a nice contrast.
Now two hours later every time my T shirt brushes across it my nipple burns but the pain is just an irritation. I took a couple Motrin about an hour ago and it feels a lot better.
Would I do it again?
Yeah, I would.
Oz is skillful, fast and clean. I have to recommend his shop if your in the Detroit area; Go for it.
Now I just hope my wife likes her new Valentines day surprise
DB.