I had been wanting to get my nipples pierced for about a year and never could seem to get up enough cash to have them done. Finally I had the money in my pocket and an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. I knew off the bat I would go to Obscurities to have them pierced. I'd never personally been pierced or tattooed there, but I have accompanied friends in the past and their reputation most definitely precedes them.
At A Glance Author TankGirl Contact TankGirl@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Delaney Studio Obscurities Location Dallas, Texas Before I even stepped foot in the door I was nervous. I was determined to get them both done at the same time but was afraid I would chicken out after the first one. These being my first piercing below the neck, I most definitely wanted them to be perfect.
Once I got into the shop however a lot of my fears were quelled. All the people who work at the shop are very personable and I was glad that Delaney was doing them because I had met him previously, and knew he did an amazing job. We talked a bit about the piercing and I let him know this was my first piecing experience below the neck. I recommend always communicating with your piercist about things like this, it makes the entire experience better when you not only know what to expect from the piercist, but they know what to expect from you as well.
I had a friend who has had her nipples pierced before go with me, and she accompanied me into the piercing room as well, which was a big confidence booster for me. I've found having a trusted friend go with me is a great way to get closer to a friend and also have me feel more comfortable, especially when I am working with a piercist I haven't been pierced by previously.
After chatting a bit with the employees it was time to step into the piercing room. Delaney explained a lot of what was going to happen beforehand so I knew just what to expect. He made the markings on both nipples with a toothpick and purple ink while I was standing, and made sure they were perfect and I was satisfied before continuing. I laid down on the table and he began with the left nipple. The forceps pinched a bit, but I can honestly say I was wholly unprepared for the needle. I felt the tip of the needle against my skin (which he explained) and felt the needle all the way through. This piercing most definitely hurt more than any of my previous piercings (2 gauge stretch in my ear lobes, septum, etc.). I thought about telling him "Okay, that's enough, don't do the second one" but knew I wouldn't be happy with just the one. After making sure I was comfortable with continuing, he clamped the right nipple, asked me to take a big breath in, and exhale, and it didn't hurt any more or less than the first.
All in all it was an excellent piercing experience. Delaney explained absolutely everything that was happening and was going to happen and has an excellent professional bedside attitude. He also took longer doing the markings than anything else; doing them until he was absolutely positive he had them just the way he wanted. I am an extremely modest person normally, particularly about my breasts but I have never felt so comfortable topless in front of someone before.
Afterwards I stood up and got to look at them in the mirror. Absolutely perfect! Two small 12 gauge barbells, perfectly even. They looked better than I had even imagined.
Both Delaney and a friend of mine recommended that I actually wear a bra for the duration of the healing process. Because I have rather large breasts, it would help them to keep from moving around too much while I slept, etc. I am now on day 4 of aftercare, and wearing plain, soft, cotton bras have been the best thing for them. They bled a bit the night I got them done, and didn't bleed whatsoever the day after. Last night I had a bit of bleeding during my sleep, but nothing major. They do hurt at the moment, and immediately around the area of the piercing I have some slight bruising but doing a daily salt water soak (1/4 tsp. sea salt to 8 oz. hot distilled water) helps to alleviate it. Despite the pain, I can say I have never been so satisfied with the way a piercing looked.
I highly recommend that any female who does have larger breasts try wearing a (clean!) cotton bra. For me they hurt more when I'm not wearing one, just make sure that it is not too tight (you don't want it to press on your piercing) or too loose. It's also a little cleaner when they bleed, instead of getting blood everywhere. And of course, always see what your piercist recommends first! I have read and heard all the horror stories about infection and pain and everything else. But with proper daily cleaning I feel confident mine will heal just fine.