First off, i'll start by saying that I have wanted my nipples pierced for about 2 years. A few factors had been involved in delaying it. One was the fact that I haven't been 18 for all that long, and the other is that a good friend of mine told me how badly he suffered through it and how he'd never do it again. This combined with a few other male horror stories I had read where they said that it was one of the worst, most painful experiences that they had ever had.
At A Glance Author alphaxxn Contact alphaxxn@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Crossroads Tattoos' Studio Crossroads Tattoos' Victorville Location Victorville California Finally, with the help of a friend whom is like-minded about piercing, he finally willed me into it. I first was going to go to a shop in Victorville named 'Ignition Tattoos' in which their website used to say that they did piercings. When I got there I was informed that they are an inking place only, and don't do any piercings whatsoever. I was a bit annoyed at this because for one I work until later in the evening, and secondly I didn't get a chance to get out til' it was later during the day, so I was curious about if I would find another open shop.
Luckily, on our way to trying to find 'Ignition Tattoos' my friend whom was driving with me saw that there was a smaller tattoo and piercing shop named 'Crossroads' and I had remembered the name from a friend of mine whom had gotten a Monroe piercing there. I decided that I would show up at that shop and try to get a vibe and see how everything was, kind of an important thing in trying to find out where you want to get your very first piercing done at.
We got there, and it was a very well lit, very clean looking tattoo shop with their portfolios on the walls and glass cases throughout the place showcasing their jewelry. I talked to the woman whom I assume was in charge of piercings and she gave me all of the normal warnings, had me sign a waiver, and had me lift my shirt up so she could see the size of my nipples so that she could gauge what size barbell she'd have to use. I asked about the pain and if it was as bad as everyone was telling me and they assured me that it's just hearsay and that it's nothing close to suffering. I decided on a 14ga, because they didn't have a 12ga in barbells and I had my heart set on barbells.
For a previous medical problem the doctor had given me a tube of 'Lidocaine' which for those of you whom don't know is a very common topical anesthetic. I asked the woman ( I didn't catch her name, or if I did I can't remember) if it would help at all. She told me that she honestly didn't know but I could try if I wanted to, and that since it was just a surface topical anesthetic that I shouldn't get my hopes up. I tried it anyway, and looking back think that it helped VERY little.
She took me into the smaller room that looked as if it was dedicated to piercing. It had a small window in the side of the wall so that people could watch I guess. She had me sit in the chair in the middle which reminded me of a dentists' office and she had all of her tools already set up with a cover over them on a sterile metal tray. Everything was extremely professional. She had me take my shirt off and I guess clamped my nipples (I wasn't looking by this time, i'm a puss.) She told me to take a deep breath and on the exhale all I felt was a sharp pain and then warmth. I looked down and my left nipple was pierced and looked great (albeit a bit bloody) She told me to do the same routine with the second one, and when she pierced me it FRIGGIN HURT. I had figured it would as I had read up about the difference in endorphin levels in your blood, but had no idea that it would be that drastic. The second nipple hurt more than the first one times 3. Even though it hurt like it did I am still super glad I did it.
All in all they both look great. They are both healing very well and the only time I ever bled was the morning after my first night with them. I woke up and had a little bit of blood around one side. They are both losing their soreness and all of the swelling has gone down completely. I have noticed though that the sensitivity of the tips of the nipples has been drastically increased. I have been using H2Ocean as my primary aftercare product , and it seems to be doing its job beautifully.
I'm extremely happy with my piercings, and although my work doesn't permit facial piercings, am thinking about getting quite a few more piercings below the belt.