I believe I was about 15 years old when I decided that I wanted to pierce my nipples. It was an idea that lingered in my mind for three years with no trace of uncertainty. I found BME shortly before I turned 15 and since then I have come here religiously to admire the pictures and read the various experiences. Consequently, years before I was old enough to pierce my nipples I was prepared for the experience and the aftercare procedures I would have to take to make sure they would heal well. The pictures at BME also helped me decide on the exact way I wanted my nipples pierced - with horizontal barbells.
At A Glance Author erin Contact bohab_chick@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Greg Studio Evolution Body Piercing Location Providence, RI I can't say exactly what caused me to want to pierce my nipples, it was simply a decision I made one day and never went back on. Quite a few years ago the Jim Rose Circus came to Providence, and recently the Girly Freak Show, starring Slymenstra Hymen (Danyelle Stampe) of Gwar and Tim Cridland- otherwise known as Zamora the Torture King. Both these shows, along with BME, furthered my interest in body modification and allowed the idea to pierce my nipples further embed itself in my mind. The past few years I have also watched about 10 piercings take place (I have been chosen by my friend to attend her all piercings) so I was no stranger to the procedure by the time it was my turn to be pierced. This also allowed me to decide on a studio and piercer - Joe Y. at Evolution Body Piercing. Unfortunately on the day of my piercing, Joe was ill and I was instead pierced by Greg. Although I had become very comfortable with Joe and his ever-so-soothing voice, Greg is a great pierc er as well and did a wonderful job both in the piercing of my nipples and in helping to make me comfortable throughout the entire procedure.
As a Christmas present this year my sister got me a gift certificate to get my nipples pierced, so I only ended up paying $30 for both nipples. I turned 18 that January, and I knew that was the month I was going to go through with it. I have to admit that the day of my piercing I was quite nervous despite the fact that I felt prepared. I had never been pierced before, and I wasn't sure what to expect from it. Oddly enough, I was hoping to experience a profound pain I had never felt before, and I was strangely looking forward to the this. That day I went to my classes, then took a nap once they were over so I would be well rested. I ate a sandwich around 6:30pm (another piece of advice from BME) then left with my boyfriend to meet a couple friends and head to Evolution. I also brought some juice along with me in case I needed it. When we finally got to Evolution, I found out that they were getting ready to close for the night. However, since my friend and I are in th ere on a pretty regular basis they let me get my nipples done that night anyway. I only had to wait about 10 minutes since they was closing, and I was surprisingly more calm than I had expected to be. I filled out all the forms and the guy behind the desk asked if I needed to hear the aftercare procedure for nipple piercings again (it would be my third time hearing it from him...I assured him I knew what I was doing) then gave me an aftercare sheet to take home with me. I also mentioned ahead of time that I like the way that longer barbells look in nipple piercings, so Greg took me in the back room to measure a barbell up to my nipple and see how I thought it looked. I also wanted larger gauge barbells such as 10 guage, but Greg suggested starting at 12g. The barbells were longer than what is normally used, but that was exactly what I wanted. When Greg finally called me in to the back room I left my boyfriend and had my friend come in with me - it was her turn to pay me back for all the times I've been her moral support.
Once I was in the room I took off my shirt and Greg had me stand straight with my arms at my side so he could mark my nipples. When he finished and they were perfectly even I laid back on the gynecologist-like table, looked up at the fish hanging on the ceiling above my head, and tried my best to relax even though I was rather nervous. Greg set everything up and talked me through the entire procedure. He put the clamps on my left nipple and asked if they were too tight or uncomfortable. Actually, if he hadn't asked, I wouldn't have even noticed he had them on. He then told me he was putting the needle against my skin, and feeling this was probably the most nerve-wracking part of the whole experience. I did breathing exercises with him, knowing that the needle would go through on the third exhale. He pushed the needle through, and I felt almost no pain whatsoever. What I did feel was the incredibly odd and intriguing sensation of having a needle penetrate layers of ti ssue. I didn't mind it one bit. I also didn't flinch or move at all, instead I just shut my eyes and concentrated on breathing as it passed through. It was time for the right nipple, and this time I was expecting more pain from what I had read in the experiences at BME. I do admit that I felt the second one more, but it was still not painful at all. Once again, I just felt the strange feeling of the needle passing through my skin. I was hoping to experience an endorphin rush but was let down. I stood right up and admired by beautiful new nipple piercings in the mirror. Greg commented on how well I handled the piercing, and in my state of happiness I thanked him profusely, then forgot to give him the tip which I had been planning on giving him. On the way out he said he'd probably be seeing me again soon since I had recently turned 18, and although I had never before planned on any piercings other than nipple piercings, lately I've been thinking of what to get next. I stepped out into the cold Rhode Island winter and drove with my boy friend to buy some sea salt, supporting my breasts with my hands each time we hit a bump in the road. I have to say that the first hour or so I spent in the cold that night was more painful than the piercing itself (but still nothing bad).
Its been a little over a month since I've had my nipple piercings. For the first few weeks they were extremely sensitive and I found the support of my bras very comforting. I had no problems sleeping, however I do not normally sleep on my stomach. I was (and still am) very careful with them at all times, but I still managed to knock them around once or twice, and it was quite painful. I have been cleaning them twice a day in the shower with Satin antimicrobial soap, and soaking them twice a day for about 10 minutes with a mixture of sea salt and water. My friend gave me a plastic container which holds 1 pint of water and is perfect to use for mixing sea salt. Another present from my friend was two shot glasses with my initials engraved in them specifically meant for doing sea-salt soaks. So far I have had no problems at all with my piercings. They no longer hurt at all, although they are still much more sensitive than before (hopefully this will persist). Not many pe ople know about my piercings, but those who do know, including my boyfriend, have been fully supportive of my decision. Although I have very open-minded parents who do not mind body modification, I have yet to tell them about my pierced nipples.
Well, that's about it. I hope everyone has as great of an experience as I had. I know that pain is relative to every individual, but if you're considering getting your nipples pierced, go for it. It may not be as painful as you think.