I haven't gotten pierced since October 2006 when I got my septum done, so I was really itching for a new piercing. I was thinking about doing something on my ears, but I'm very particular about feeling symmetrical, and there was nothing that really fit the bill. Suddenly it came to me: my nipples. It was something that no one would expect me to do, especially since they were all so shocked when I said I wanted my septum pierced. I started browsing BME and read twenty or more experiences and looked at the pictures and decided that I definitely want my nipples pierced, so I started looking for tattoo and piercing parlours in Guelph. Nighthawk Tattoo came up in Google, and since I had heard good things from them I decided to go as soon as they opened on Tuesday. This left 2 whole days for me to become obsessed with my nipples. I drew little dots on them with eyeliner so I could see whether to get them horizontal or diagonal, and I eventually decided on diagonal; partially because they are rarer, but also because I feel like they go more with the lines of my body.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Mark McAlpine Studio Nighthawk Tattoo Location Guelph, ON, Canada Finally Tuesday rolled around, and I could barely contain myself. I made sure to eat breakfast, and then lunch (since they didn't open 'til 1 pm). I left a little early because I needed to stop at a bank machine to grab some cash before I caught a bus. I was mildly disoriented downtown, since I don't spend a lot of time there except while under the influence, but I soon found Nighthawk. I entered, only to find three other people waiting as Mark, the piercer, seemed to be running late. He arrived, and dealt with the other people who thankfully were only there to ask quick questions about piercings Mark had done for them. I listened as he talked to them and was impressed by how knowledgeable and friendly he was. Finally it was my turn to go up to the counter. I told Mark I wanted to get my nipples pierced, and he responded "Great! Would you like rings or barbells?" Unfortunately, I had my heart set on barbells (which of course was the costlier option), but was $20 short, so I ran to a bank machine while Mark set up. I came back, heart pounding from excitement and anticipation. I read through the pamphlet and consent form, and signed shakily, as my hands were frozen from my run to the ATM.
Mark promptly called me into the back room and told me to get comfortable, so I put down my purse and took of my jacket and grabbed a seat. He had chosen two lengths of barbell, and told me most people need the smaller size, so I would likely need that as well, but if there was undue swelling that I could come back and he would happily upsize the bars for me. He ran me through the procedure, and explained how he'd mark dots on my nipples to line up the piercings. This is when I piped up, saying I would like diagonal piercings rather than the typical horizontal. Mark enthusiastically explained that that would be great, but because of movement in the area they might not always seem quite lined up. I was fine with that, so all that remained was for me to strip down and for Mark to begin. When I decided initially that I would like my nipples pierced, whipping of my shirt in front of some stranger seemed a little nerve wracking, but Mark was so wonderful and professional that I had no problem.
I sat back in the chair, and he cleaned my nipples with iodine and held the 2 different barbells up to my nipple to see which one fit better, and as he expected, I would only need the smaller one. He asked me to stand up and then placed the dots on my left nipple with a purple marker, explaining that he usually does diagonals at a 45° angle, and that I could go take a look to ok the position. I thought it looked great, so he went ahead and marked the other side, which I also Okayed. It was then time for the clamps, which I had heard hurt worse than the piercing, but for me they didn't hurt at all. Mark lined up the needle and told me to breathe, and through it went. It just felt like a somewhat painful pinch, but it definitely wasn't anything I couldn't handle. He left the needle in and proceeded to do the right side, which hurt a little bit more, but again was totally manageable. I couldn't believe how big the 14 gauge needle looked in my nipple, when it usually looks so small, but even still I was ecstatic. Mark threaded the jewellery through easily, and remarked that yes, nipple piercings do usually bleed, to which I responded "Tell me about it," as my left nipple was dripping blood all the way down to my stomach. With a chuckle Mark cleaned it up and finished screwing on the ball on the right side. He bandaged me up and told me to use whatever I'd used on my cartilage piercings to heal my nipples, and to come back if the balls started to sink in due to swelling. I put back on my shirt, paid the $140 and went out to catch a bus.
It was on the bus that the pain started. It was a steady pain in both my boobs that made it hard to focus on anything else. The bus ride felt like an eternity, but finally I got home. As soon as I'd gotten in the door, I ran to the bathroom, washed my hands and pulled of the bandages to admire my nipples. I couldn't be more thrilled with Mark, and I would highly recommend him to anyone. He was awesome, and made my boobs a part of me that I actually like.