Two piercings in a fortnight doesn't sound too much, but when they are nipple piercings, your first ever piercings and you do one of them yourself (albeit under supervision) then it becomes more interesting.
At A Glance Author griffy Contact griffy@gmx.co.uk Artist Andy Studio Camberley Location England I have been a big fan of collecting ink for a long time now, with my first tattoo about 15 years ago, but have never had more than a lobe piercing. I haven't even worn ear piercings for about 10 years because as the manager of an upmarket showroom conservatism is the order of the day. My tattoos are all hidden discreetly away and although they are extensive most of my clients have no idea.
Looking through all the literature and web sites for inspiration for my next tattoo I was constantly noticing how popular piercing was. I was also noticing that I was very interested in it. Why would people have so many piercings? Why have piercings that most people won't even see? I decided to find out for myself. So on my next trip to my local studio I asked if I could watch a nipple piercing being carried out. The piercer said that he would ask his next customer and if there were no objections I could. There were no objections, so I watched as the piercer put on his gloves cleaned the nipple of the young guy and marked the entry and exit points with a pen. He gave him the option of sitting or standing and also some advice about breathing. Next he changed his gloves clamped the nipple and used a needle from a sealed package He held the needle to the young mans chest and very quickly pushed it through. I didn't actually watch the guys face as I was watching the needle go through. No blood and no mess. With the barbell connected the pierce looked great immediately.
That's the difference between piercings and tattoos in my opinion. A pierce is immediate, a tattoo takes time, healing, more work and more time.
I had seen enough and after having an excruciating two and a half hour session in which I had a lot of my armpit tattooed I wasn't in the mood for any more.
The next week though I returned. I explained I wanted a horizontal barbell with a small needle (thinking it would hurt less) I went through the process I had seen last week. The instant the needle went into my nipple I realised another big difference. It did hurt! A lot! The pain was intense, but very short lived. Not like a tattoo where bruising and pain can last for a week or so. I had my nipple pierced.... YAAY!
Home I went to show my wife my new pride and joy. Still a little sore but very happy. I didn't realise how good I would feel afterwards. My wife liked it and my youngest daughter asked to touch it. (No sweetie its got to be kept clean) ;) My eldest said (drum roll for atmosphere) Why didn't you have both done you look lopsided.
Two weeks later there I was back in the studio. I wanted to ask my piercer for the second one, but this time I wanted to try it myself. It's not that I am into pain (well not much anyhow) it's more a belated right of passage thing. I have thought a lot about why since then and can honestly not understand fully myself. I guess that a lot of other pierced and self pierced people know the feeling.
My piercer was cool. He didn't try and talk me out of it, but said that he would supervise and make sure I did everything properly. He also told me that if I didn't do it, it wasn't a problem because he would do it for me.
I should point out that I have known my piercer for a long time and I guess he knew I wasn't just playing around. This was something I really wanted.
He made me glove myself and talked me through the procedure step by step. I had the clamp on and the needle held against my nipple. I took a deep breath and quickly and very firmly pushed. The pain was blinding and it took a second or two before I could see the results of my action. Actually not to shabby even if I do say so myself. The pierce was hardly bleeding, just a drop and it looked level and straight to me. Unfortunately adrenaline had got the better of me and I was shaking too much to screw the barbell together. That was the only bit I didn't manage. When I looked in the mirror I was as pleased as punch. Two lovely new shinies in two weeks.
Since then I have religiously cleaned twice a day and not touched otherwise. My self done pierce is healing just as well as the 'factory' model but on very close examination isn't quite as straight. I don't care though. I did it myself and come hell or high water will keep that one for many years.
The next on the agenda is a PA but trust me when I say that that one will not be self inflicted.