Six months ago when I initially had my left nipple pierced I wasn't sure whether I would keep the piercing or not. Another consideration I sort of put off was what size or type jewelry I might settle for as "permanent" and whether the need to have it stretched. After a few months passed I decided I really liked the piercing and would eventually upgrade to something permanent. Then began the quest to find just the right type of jewelry. I began to shop around and look online and decided I liked the idea of gold the best since it would go well with my gold chain and not be as appearance as the stainless.
At A Glance Author Paul Contact Paul@bme.anon When A month ago Artist John Studio Black Hole East Location Portland, Oregon A couple of searches on the internet and I located a mailorder company where I could buy my jewelry directly. The original jewelry had been slightly larger than 1/2" and I decided to go with the smaller 1/2" ring for the permanent one. The original was a 12 ga, and I decided I liked the look best of a 10 ga ring and ordered a 1/2" gold 10 ga circular barbell. It was certainly spendier, but looks nice and has all he benefits of being hypo-allergenic like the stainless. I might add here, for anyone shopping for jewelry, that you need to be careful and checkout the quality of the jewelry being offered. Particulary with gold, there is a tendency to sell jewelry which is hollow and not as well crafted. This is not always stated in the sales listings so you have to enquire whether it is solid or hollow and whether it is designed with internal threads. All of these factors are important for a long-lasting jewelry which will not bend or dent and will stay together under normal wear. Often the piercing studio can give recommendations on manufacturers or name brands that are reputable. Enough about that.
The information I had read on this site, and gotten from others with pierced nipples all recommended I wait until about the five month mark to stretch and insert the new jewelry. About a month ago I went in to the studio where I had had the piercing done, along with my permanent gold ring, to see about having the new jewelry put in.
John was very nice and asked about how long I had the stainless steel jewelry and how it felt and if there was still any tenderness so he could determine if it was too soon or not to stretch. He also asked to see it just to be sure it looked alright. After telling him it had been just over five months and was no longer tender and had very little crusties, and seeing it for himself, he decided it would be safe to stretch and insert the new jewelry without injury.
He had me follow him upstairs to the piercing room and remove my shirt and lie back on the table. He washed his hands and put on gloves and arranged a tray with a taper, sterile lube and a small cup in which he soaked the new gold ring to be sure it was sterile. That was one of the things that I noticed about Black Hole--they always wash their hands and put on gloves before everything they do. They do a good job making people feel comfortable, informed and keep things clean and sterile.
Next, John washed and disinfected my nipple area and removed the original 12 ga stainless circular barbell. Wow! I expected it might hurt, but I was surprised it hurt as much as it did! There was some crusties inside which hadn't been loosened up by the washing so the ring stuck just abit as he removed it! The stretching up to 10 ga was uncomfortable, mostly cold due to the stainless taper and lube, but the insertion of the new jewelry hurt about as much as the old being removed! Most of the discomfort was the initial insertion stretching the hole and then as the balls were screwed on the ends of the barbell which caused it to move about and irritate the nipple slightly. It was not as intense a pain as the piercing had been, but definitly more than I had anticipated. After a few moments it subsided and didn't hurt, but the nipple was sensitive for a day or two afterwards.
It looks great now having a permanent gold 10 ga circular barbell in place of the 12 ga stainless. It was worth it! My recommendation to anyone about to have a nipple piercing stretched is to soak it with warm water for about 10 mins before having the procedure done. Any crusties will be loosened and your jewelry will come out with less pain! The stretching will still be uncomfortable, but it won't be irritated by the old jewelry sticking.