5mm Prince Albert:UK

At A Glance Author pip Contact pip@bme.anon Artist Cushla Studio Into You Location London, UK

5mm Prince Albert:UK

Having had two previous nipple piercing experiences, both of which went wrong for varying reasons, it was with much trepidation that I travelled with my girlfriend to London in November 1996 to get pierced at Into You. I had researched as much as possible about them as a studio across BME but was still shocked/amazed by the décor of the shop when we arrived. As a designer I was also intrigued and they informed me that they had done it all themselves. Upstairs was a main seating area with jewellery display cabinets and tattoo booths in the back. There was also an area where the studios portfolio was on display so I took the opportunity to show my girlfriend female genital piercings. The piercing rooms were downstairs. It instantly put my girlfriend at ease (she was having some cartilage piercings) although I was still pretty nervous about getting Mr.Happy pierced. As Cushla finished what she was doing and went downstairs to prepare for us, something about the attitude of the studio left me still worried. It was almost as though a PA was no big deal to them, however much a big deal it was to me at the time! I remember thinking that I was about to enter some place, which would change my life forever, little did I know I was right.

We were called downstairs and it was decided that I would go first. The dentists chair was in front of me and the room was spotlessly clean, Cushla could see that I was apprehensive and covered the piercing tray over. After an inspection of my penis to determine the most suitable ring size (19mm id x 1.6mm thickness) Cushla marked the entrance hole and asked me for comments. I enquired if it would have any affect on future stretching, so she moved it slightly further from the frenum ridge of my circumcision. It seems to be a cliché when I read other experiences but Cushla really did use a lot of gloves and was particularly careful about staying sterile. In hindsight the placement of the receiving tube was the most uncomfortable part for me, even with Cushla's attempts to warm the tube. I stalled at this point asking stupid questions about my frenum piercing in an attempt to regain my composure. No sooner than I had, Cushla pierced me. My breathing was all wrong so I was breathing in instead of out but the endorphins kicked in and I was soon the proud owner of a Prince Albert along a wide smile. My fears had vanished instantly and I realised how silly it must have appeared to the piercers for me to get agitated. It has been much easier in recent piercings but that's another story.

Throughout the process Cushla was very professional. After discussing the aftercare sheet we went for something to eat before travelling home. The experience made me even more hooked on piercing. It healed with very few problems or blood outbursts and about six months later I went back to Cushla to stretch to a 2.4mm ring. Over the last few years I have stretched it on my own through 3mm, and 4mm, to a 5mm ring very easily and slowly. The extra weight is nicer to wear on a daily basis and is more noticeable during intercourse, although the ring is harder to remove when required. My wife assures me that it is not as noticeable as I might think and that when I had it at 3mm with a big ball that was more so. As the hole has become bigger I have noticed that when removed it will shrink one size pretty quickly but stretching back up takes a few days at most. I am at a stage where I can stretch again to 6mm although I would like to get more piercings as well.

What's next? I think possibly more genital piercings and perhaps another attempt at keeping nipple piercings. My wife is less keen on piercings than she was a few years ago so my nagging at her to join me in getting her nipples and genitals pierced are falling on deaf ears. I would like to get an Apadravya and a frenum ladder to experience what they are like, although I am unsure if I would be able to keep the PA at it's present size.

Sometimes I think it is better that I am a professional person in the UK with the stereotypes that I see daily. It means that I can get by without piercing my whole body which is what I would like to do even if only to see what I look like with a daith piercing for example. At least this way I can take my time. Please feel free to e-mail me any questions.