I had a pretty bad year, and needed to shake things up a bit. I'd been thinking of getting my nipples pierced for about a year -- and I woke up on October 11th, 2001 and just decided that today was the day. I have no idea why i decided this because I haven't had any piercing experience in the past. I had also been curious and sort of arroused with having needles shoved through my nipples. I knew this morning, for some reason, that I had to get them done or else I might chicken out and not follow through with my plan, so I got dressed, ate some breakfast and drove myself over to the studio.
At A Glance Author Pete Contact Pete@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Jason Studio Fatty's Custom Tattoo Location Washington D.C. I'd checked out a bunch of websites -- reading these gave me a sense of what to expect, questions to ask, etc. But you know thinking about doing it and doing it are two different things. I grabbed a bite to eat and headed over to Fatty's Custom Tattoo (nice place) here in Washington DC. I chatted with the staff about the shop, jewelry and found that their piercer, Jason, wasn't in yet - so I'd have to come back. I was pumped to do it right then, so I had to cool my jets and come back. This set back didn't stop me from getting them pierced, and I knew I had to stay around the area of the shop so that I wouldn't put it of any longer. I just drove around for a while. In this time I decided that barbells would be more suited for me, since I am very active and play a lot of sports. I read on BME that they are less likely to get ripped out, although they are still dangerous.
When I did return I met Jason and we talked about what gauge I could wear (12) and he answered my basic questions. They only had one piece of jewelry ready to go, and I had to wait another 1/2 hour while the other piece was autoclaved. Jason asked if it would be OK if his apprentice did one piercing and he did the other. I had a good vibe about it so I said no problem. It worked out pretty well...
It was kind of odd to have two guys working over my nipples, cleaning and marking them...but hey, you go with it. When it was time for the show, Jason asked if I'd like to have one side done at a time or both at the same time... and I opted to have it all done in one shot. In retrospect, it was the way to go.
They each were well preped, and got their forceps in place and then Jason said that he'd put the tip of the needle against the nipple, ask me if I was ready, then I'd inhale deeply twice, and on the second exhale, they'd both do the piercings simultaneously. I knew it was going to hurt, and I knew that I didn't know exactly how much...
Yeah, it hurt. But as others have said it was over very quickly and the pain dissipates rapidly. For me, doing both sides at once was certainly a rush. The endorphins kicked in and I had a pretty good body buzz afterward. The pain itself was pretty intense for that split second that the piercing was actually being done. Kind like a flash bulb going off in slow motion. Only a slight twinge when the jewelry was inserted.
The piercings didn't bleed then or now. The barbells look great, and the nips are healed fine. I can't help looking at them every time I look in the mirror and just admiring them. I love them so much. My girlfriend is also a big fan of them and she is thinking of getting hers pierced soon.
I'm totally stoked with the whole experience. I promised to be a good boy and follow the aftercare advice -- particularly NOT to handle the jewelry!
If you've been thinking about it for a while...at least go to a good shop and talk to them about it. I'm glad I did. This experience was definitly a good one for a person just starting out in the piercing world. Now I am am planning future projects including a Prince Albert, a frenum ladder, and also tongue, eyebrow, and labret.
I would definitly reccommend that every guy (or girl) out there gets these done. At first I was scared seeing two guys coming at me with bright, shiny needles, and don't get me wrong, it hurt like a son of a bitch, but kind of a good hurt. Almost like an orgasm (Only not as good and a lot more painful.) Pete in DC