Christmas Eve, 2005.
At A Glance Author MementoMori Contact MementoMori@bme.anon IAM MementoMori When Two years ago Artist A bald chap Studio Needlewords, The Oasis Location Birmingham City Centre After years of dreaming about piercings as a child, my life progressed (albeit far too slowly) to the point where I was just starting to break away from my intensely Catholic mother's control and starting to think for myself. Having met a good friend with a tat and some stretch lobes, I finally decided to go for my first piercing after much deliberation and soul searching. What part of my body would stay hidden, except to those I wanted to share it with? Well for a first piercing, I wasn't gonna go too extreme, so I quickly brushed all thoughts of VCH aside and settled for the perfect placement - my nipple.
After months and months of researching into the piercing, what to expect and aftercare procedures, I finally got on the train with my modded friend and headed to Birmingham with absolutely no intention of getting my nipple done that day! So, the hours passed by and my friend was putting more pressure on me to go for it as time was running out. I hung outside the piercing area for what felt like an age, before summoning up whatever courage I had, and, drowning my insides in sugar-choked Coca Cola, I nervously went up and asked to get my nipple pierced. The guys all ummed and aahhed and at this point, I realised it was 4:50pm on Christmas Eve and I was asking to get this done.
But they were awesome and said they would pierce me after this other guy. So I payed and signed and sat and waited, and finally it was my turn to go in. I think considering the time, the guy was in a bit of a rush. He didn't really tell me what was happening, he didn't ask which nipple wanted done and he used the freezing spray. The whole experience was a bit of a blur really. Nothing like my tongue, which was done in a much better place, that place being Metalmorphosis in the Bullring in Brum.
Anyway, so I pull my top up and the guy drew some quick dots on either side of the nipple. He decided that he was happy with it, and I was expecting him to ask me if I was happy with it. But he didn't, he just told me to lie down on the bed, and as soon as my head hit the headrest, he was freezing my boob with spray. It didn't really feel freezing. Just wet. I wasn't sure what to expect, being my first piercing, but I barely felt it when the needle went through. I was pretty impressed with the spray at this point, though still concerned about healing times. It was when the guy put the jewellery (ring) in that the fun started. He was pulling and yanking and being very liberal with the amount of force he was using and I was like "AAAARGH NOOOO, you're going to rip my boobie off!"
Thankfully, my boob stayed intact, and I was told I was done. I was given no gauze or protection, so just pulled my top back down, thanked the guy and left.
I suddenly noticed the raw, dull pain that was coursing through my side and whilst my friend wanted to continue looking for birthday cards for his mum, I just wanted to go home! So I kinda just stick it out and we finally get on the train and the reality of what I just did sunk in. Steph 1, Mother 0. It was awesome. Very effective. This was the best Christmas Eve of my life so far.
The only time I ever saw blood was later that night, where it was on my bra. Other than then, there was no blood and I looked after it meticulously. Aftercare products included some Carex anti bacterial hand wash, warm salty water, cotton buds, paper towels, Savlon anti septic wound wash and more showers than you can shake a stick at. I estimate that it took around 3 months to heal, and it healed without problems. Around 6 months later, I got the ring changed to a bar. This feels much better and less likely to catch on clothes.
To change the thing, I went back to where I got pierced and, if you bought their jewellery, they would change it for free. So I went for a bar, and went through to the room where the guy proceeded to ram a larger gauged externally threaded bar through my nipple with no lube of any kind, and my God, the dull pain returned and wouldn't leave me again for the next couple of days.
So I wasn't all that impressed with the Needleworks in the Oasis, I live in New Zealand now, but if I were still at home, I would definitely not get pierced there again.
Anyway, that pretty much sums up every aspect of my nipple piercing experience. I still have it and I love it to bits. If anyone is thinking of getting a secretive first piercing, then the nipple is perfect. If you know an awesome piercing place and have the time and the inclination to look after it, then I would definitely go for it, no questions asked! Hope this helps!