I guess you could say that getting my nipple pierced just kind of happened. I had bee tossing the idea around in my head for a while, and one night, I decided there was no more time to lose. I wanted a piercing that was just for me, because I had been controlling my depression for so long, and was finally putting my life back together as far as school and everything went, and I did it by myself. I thought that a piercing that was so easy to hide would be the best thing, because then only the people I wanted to know it was done would know. I was going into my work off the clock that night to help out, so I decided to do it then. My mom owns a daycare, and one of the parents gave me a ride to work. I had her stop at the bank first and withdrew the $50 out of my bank account.
At A Glance Author Dennie Lee Contact whirlybird02@yahoo.com Artist Jesse Studio Sundown Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Council Bluffs, IA When she dropped me off at the fast food place I work(Runza), I got started on carrying out my plan. My boyfriend was working that night, so I told him what I was going to do. He isn't into body mods at all. In fact, his cousin and I had to practically BEG him to get his earlobe done ONCE! So, he didn't really care, but I still wanted him to know.
Then, I went to my friend who worked there, and asked if she would mind if her boyfriend walked me to the piercing studio(it is only a block from my work). She asked what I was getting pierced, and when I told her my nipple, she said he could, but only if he didn't go back with me or watch. So, I went out and asked him to walk me to Sundown, and he said yes. So off we went to get my new "boob jewelry"(that's what my best friend called it).
When I went in, my ex-boyfriend's friend was working. It was his family's business. That is why I felt okay with going there, because I knew the people, somewhat. And, my friend had just gotten her tragus done there a week before, and it looked pretty good(though it wasn't healing quite as well as mine, but I used a different piercer, and I don't think my friend was as religious about aftercare like I was). So, him and I talk a bit, and he says he can't believe that I am getting this done, and neither will my ex. I guess you have to know that I look like a little preppy Christian(which I am, but I am a VERY liberal Christian) girl, though the rocker chick inside is coming out a little more everyday. So we laugh about that a little, then his brother Jesse tells me to come in the back room. I'm nervous but go in, there's no turning back now.
Jesse tells me to take a seat in the little dentist chair. I sit down, and he starts talking about the aftercare, of which I already knew everything about from researching on BME and other piercing sites. I sit quietly and listen while he tells me to clean twice a day with anti-bacterial soap, and then use an ointment he gave me. And how nobody could kiss, suck, nibble, or grab my nipple for two weeks to a month, depending on how it was healing; and if I had any questions about if it was healed well enough, to stop in any time. I thought that was really nice of him. Then he said I needed to stand up straight in front of him and lift my shirt and bra up on the side I wanted pierced.
I stood up while he marked a placement. I went over to the mirror and looked at the purple marks he made. They looked even to me, so I told him they looked fine. Then he cleaned the area with iodine. That was really cold, and everything. Then, he grabbed the clamp. When I saw it, I tensed up. I remembered how much it hurt when they used it on my tragus, and was scared it would hurt worse on my nipple. I took a deep breath as he put the clamp around the markings he made earlier on either side of my nipple.
The clamp didn't hurt that bad at all. It felt kind of like if someone pinched your nipple through your clothes. A dull ache, no real pain. Then, he took the needle from the table, where he had it stuck in a pile of anti-bacterial ointment. He looked at me and said "Close your eyes, and by the time you say 'ouch', you'll be pierced." I didn't believe him, but I think I should have.
I felt the needle go through the first layer of skin(or so I thought), and then he said he was done. That surprised me, and then with the knowledge the needle was through, my adrenaline rush came. He showed me the ring, and then took the needle out and put the ring it. This hurt like a bitch. Everyone says that the piercing doesn't hurt, and they are right, it doesn't. BUT, they all failed to mention how much getting the jewelry put in hurt. It felt like a big burn. Kind of like when you get a really bad sunburn and then someone comes up and hits you in the back. Only it was happening INSIDE my skin. But, I am proud of myself, I didn't cry.
After the ring was in, he clamped in the bead. Then he told me to make sure I could stand without falling right back down before I got up to look at my newly pierced nipple. I took a few deep breaths, and then got up. I walked to the mirror and looked down. I saw my nipple, with a little 14ga CBR going through it. I thought it was such a great thing. It was beautiful, like I was discovering that part of my body for the first time, because I had never seen it like that before.
Then, he went over aftercare again. I listened politely again, but by this time, I had memorized almost every word he had said. Then, he told me I should keep my bra on for a while, then take it off for a while, to see which I liked best. I took his advice, and left.
When I got back to work, everyone was so shocked that I would do something like that. But, I did. It didn't even really hurt. So, I went about my work like normal.
Then, my friend called and asked me if I went through with it. But, we didn't know my mom was on the other phone because she hadn't hung it up yet. So, she heard, and made me tell her the truth. She didn't like it, and thought it was gross. She had decided, after I explained why I got it, that I could keep it in, even though she strongly disapproved of the placement of the piercing, and all of that. She understood my reasons for getting the piercing, she just didn't understand why I did it THERE, and she couldn't accept it. So, the next night, out of respect for her, I took the ring out. Plus, once I took the ring out, I looked closely at where the placement was, and it was way off from where Jesse had marked it. It was actually pierced crooked in two ways: the left side was higher and farther from the breast than the right side.
I only had my nipple ring for 24 hours, but it was a great piercing. I'm not sure if I'll ever get it redone, just because now I have no urge to because I know what it's like. I think most of the choice of the placement was to calm the fear of the unknown.
Everyone told me I was stupid for taking it out, and that I just wasted $50. I don't think of it like that. I pierced somewhere that I was really scared to even THINK about when I first became interested in piercings, and I found out how much respect and love I do have for my mom. And, she told me that me taking it out, just because SHE wanted me to, even though it had such personal meaning for me meant more to her than anything I've ever done for her. That was cool to hear, cause I LOVE my mommy! Plus, I didn't waste money, because now she is paying to get my 1st navel done(I want a 4-point navel, may eventually and 8-point), and for an ear piercing(perhaps a rook or snug).
So that was the story of my 24-hour nipple piercing! Sorry this was so long. But the bottom line is it is a beautiful and exotic piercing to have(an added bonus is you can make grown men almost tear up just from telling them about the whole clamping part, lol), and if it is something you want, either to keep, or just to experience, it is TOTALLY worth it!