At A Glance
Author	Tony Win
Contact	Tony Win@bme.anon
When	A month ago
Artist	Darryl
Studio	Retro Rebels
Location	Aberdeen Scotland

Three years ago, I took the plunge and went for piercings in both nipples, in the same sitting, having 12 x 1.6mm Titanium Bar-bells fitted. I was ecstatic with the result. In time they healed perfectly with no problems what so ever.

My main hobby is jewellery design and manufacture, so during the healing period, I set to make myself a set of gold barbells, stirrups, and a range of light weight gold ornaments to suspend from the stirrups, I even made a silver "guide pin" which made the removal and reinsertion of the barbell easier and quicker for me. The Titanium was removed and the Gold inserted. I could now change the jewellery ornaments on the stirrups as I wanted without removing the barbells.

All went well for another two years, until one sunny day earlier this year; I was raking up some cut grass without a tee shirt on. Then complete disaster, I must have caught my left piercing in the silver bracelet on my left wrist, and the piercing was RIPPED out completely. I was left with a very ragged bleeding nipple!!!

My initial reaction was to retrieve the ripped out jewellery, even though I was bleeding quite well!! I picked it up and went inside. My wife was visiting her sister in England, and my Son was at University so I had to recover the situation on my own. After cleaning up both myself and my jewellery, I had,what I thought at the time was a good idea. With the first aid kit out, and copious amounts of antiseptic wound wash, I cleaned everything again, and with self adhesive steri-strips tried to replace the barbell in the ragged wound, and secure it in place with the steri-strips until it healed with the barbell in place. Result!!. Then reality kicked in, and I reluctantly removed the barbell, fitted together the edges of the ragged wound as best I could, then dressed the nipple.

Now calmed down, and after a very sweet and sugary coffee, I was feeling lop-sided and out of balance,and pining for my lost piercing. As a matter of utmost urgency I needed to find out if my left nipple could be re-pierced. I telephoned Retro Rebels in Aberdeen, and told them what had just happened. After a long, "Oooooooooooooh, Ahhhhhhhhh, Owwwwwww, Ahhhhhhhh!!", followed by a sharp intake of breath, and "that really must have stung". I was told that my nipple could be re-pierced after it had healed and the scar tissue has settled down, and was advised that I could use Cocoa Butter to massage the nipple to help the scar tissue.

After I had waited 8 weeks, I went to Retro Rebels and met with Darryl for the first time. He took me to the piercing studio and assessed how the damage had healed. He was happy with the result, and this time said that he would set the piercing a little closer to my chest wall. He then marked the holes matching their orientation with my right nipple piercing. The clamp was duly applied and when the needle and cannula was inserted, the only sensation I can truly say I felt was just a sensation of pressure as the needle and cannula went through my nipple. He inserted a new longer titanium barbell and screwed on the ball. Looking at the finished job in the full length in the studio, I was extremely pleased with the result. A truly professional job well done. I was so pleased with Darryl, that I had a navel piercing done at the same time, with a belly bar, which I had been contemplating for a while. Again I can't say it was a particularly painfull piercing. Must have been a combination of Darryl's technique and my pain threshold.

Since then, I have been back to see Darryl at Retro Rebels and have had two more navel piercings (now making a triple navel piercing), a pubic, and a frenum. He takes time and care in marking the entry and exit holes to ensure that the piercing is how YOU want it. Excellent advise is given by Darryl when discussing your plans with regard to the siting, and final appearance of your piercing. All my new piercings are settling down with as yet, no hint of infection. The after care leaflet is very comprehensive and thorough.

I have found that Darryl is a truly professional, and totally trustworthy person. He explains everything fully before he applies needle to flesh, and his easy going manner instantly puts you at ease. After this 3 year period since my first piercings,I am now hooked, and wish I had started earlier in life. Needless to say, I am planning on having more work done at Retro Rebels Aberdeen in the future. I would recommend Darryl to anyone without hesitation, and you're never too old to start. Tony.