My Nipple and Labret Experience
At A Glance Author Miss Fine Contact Miss Fine@bme.anon Artist Chris Johnson Studio Obscurities Location Dallas, TX By Brandy Fine
I walked into Trilogy/ Obscurities in late August 2000. My sister's friend was having some jewelry shortened. Having just moved to Dallas, I was glad to discover this wonderful shop close to home. We walked in and met Chris, and he sat and talked with us for a minute. I will never forget that day. After we left I told my sister and friend that I thought Chris was a cutie, and they told me I should call and ask him out. Two nights later I called and we decided to get together, even though he doesn't like to date people who come into the shop. I met him at the shop and we went out to eat. We have been seeing each other ever since.
I was pretty naïve to the whole piercing tattooing industry. I had had my navel and ears pierced and 4 tattoos done. I never really had the desire to get any more until I started being around Chris. I always want more tattoos but being so young and the possibility of having jobs where these are looked down upon, I resist. Piercings aren't like tattoos, you can take them out, or you can get clear jewelry. Then the bug got me. I wanted to pierce my nipple. I was very nervous and apprehensive, but I wanted it, and I was going to do it. So I went to the shop and told Chris that I wanted my right nipple pierced. So he took me in the back and told me to take off my shirt and bra. Kinky huh? NO, I was so nervous. The room was so clean and white it felt like I was at the doctor's office. I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to doctors. I heard the gloves snap around Chris' hand and I started to reconsider, but then I looked at him and I felt better and I felt confident that he was going to do the best job that he could and wasn't going to hurt me much.
He marked the spot with a toothpick and gentian violet. He instructed me on my breathing technique and we began. I laid down and he massaged the area slightly so he could pierce me more comfortably freehanded. He lined up the piercing, and told me to take a deep breath, as I exhaled he pushed the needle through. OUCH. It hurt pretty badly, and I could feel my face turn red. Then he put the 12 gauge circular barbell in and we were done. He told me to go look and so I stood up and checked it out in the mirror. I loved it instantly. Chris gave me a kiss and I put my shirt on and left. I was so shocked at myself when I got home. I examined it in the mirror forever. I made sure to keep it clean with provon and do sea salt soaks. It was pretty sore for about two weeks.
After two weeks I decided to change my jewelry to a barbell. People at work were starting to comment that they could see the circular barbell through my shirts. I've had the barbell for 5 months and feel that it is the most comfortable jewelry.
After this I wasn't sure what my next piercing would be. Then a week before my birthday I decided to get my labret pierced. So on my birthday, February 3rd, 2001, I went to Obscurities. Chris and I had gotten more serious since my nipple piercing and was nervous about piercing someone he was involved with seriously so he asked Allen Faulkner to do it. Allen said he would but that it would be a little while before he could get to it. After an hour and a half Chris decided to do it himself. Same room, same environment, same anxiety, but this time I had complete and utter trust in Chris' abilities. He did the set up and had me rinse and then cleaned the outside of my lip. It seemed like it took forever for him to get the marking the way he wanted it. Finally it was perfect and once again I laid down on the exam table. He raised it so that he could get behind my head. He once more instructed me on how to breathe, lined up the needle, had me take a deep breath in, and as I exhaled, he pierced it. He inserted the jewelry so quick that I didn't even know that it was over. The aftercare was a bit different since I had to rinse the inside of my mouth with Tech 2000 ever few hours, and that I wasn't supposed to smoke cigarettes.
About a week ago Chris got me a belated birthday gift, a gold end with a CZ setting that had been wanting. I like this piercing the best, because its on my face, and every time I look in the mirror I think of Chris.
Overall I have more of an idea of what Chris has to go through in daily life with his appearance since people now stop me in line at grocery stores and ask me if it hurts.
I'm not sure if I will get any more piercings, but I do have plans for some more tattoos.