I've always been around piercings. Most of the people I know have at least one. I just had never gotten one. The real motivation never hit me hard enough to follow through with anything. I guess I prefer doing things because I want to as opposed to doing it just to go along with what everyone else was doing.
At A Glance Author Andy Contact Andy@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Adam Studio Skinworks Location Monroe, Louisiana About a month ago while talking to my sister, the topic of piercings was brought up. For some reason, she tossed the idea up that I should get my nipple pierced. And I just thought, "OK." I had never considered it before, but for whatever reason at that moment, something in my head clicked and I was totally into getting something like that done. Bare in mind, I had never had a piercing. I have no tattoos. And there I was with the idea of getting one of the most painful piercings out there.
The next day or two, I told a few coworkers and friends what I was considering doing. None of my friends have anything like that, and most shuddered at the idea of metal going through their nipple. I think, primarily though, that I told them I was going to get it done just so I couldn't back out. If I tell a lot of people, I have to go through with my word then.
Less than a week later, the day after Christmas and off of work, I decided that I would get the piercing done then. I called up a friend to see if he wanted to go along. We went to the mall first, but I was basically putting it off. Leaving there and on the way to the studio, I stopped off and bought a fifth of whiskey. I wasn't sure if I would drink any of it or not, but I figured it was best to have it and not than to want it and not have it.
Skinworks, in Monroe, Louisiana, was my first studio to ever be in when I walked through the doors. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do, but I noticed a sheet at the front beside the doors that lead to the back, so I put my name down. I then located an employee to ask about the effects of alcohol and piercings. Adam, the guy who would pierce me, told me it was ok to have some alcohol in your system, as long as I wasn't sloppy drunk when it came time for the piercing. So, I told him I would be back in 15 minutes. I sat in my car and took three quick shots, just to lower the anxiety that my body was feeling right then. I was shaking or anything such as that, but my head felt like it was on a roller coaster as I realized that I was about to go through with the piercing.
Walking back in, I picked out the ring I wanted (14 gauge, 3/8"). I then signed the form and waited to be led behind the counter to the dentist chair. It sat right up front in clear view of everyone who was browsing the tattoo displays and such. I took off my shirt and let him mark my right nipple with a sharpie (he would then give it to me to keep). I had already read up on the sanitary things to look for with a piercer, but luckily, he was very safe and sanitary with his procedure. Laying down, I prepared for the worst. This was going to be my first piercing ever.
As he began clamping my nipple down, I was expecting a great pain as I had heard that this was possibly the painful part. Maybe it was the bit of whiskey, but the clamps seemed more like an annoying scratching on my chest rather than something painful. When he told me to breath in and out twice, I realized that I was about to get the needle. As I exhaled the second time, I felt it go through my nipple. It hurt, but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. It felt about how a needle going through a nipple should feel, if that makes any sense. He put the ring in and I slowly stood up. I was on an adrenaline high at that moment. I tried to listen to his care instructions closely, although everything seemed like a blur at that moment. Luckily, everything he said was basically repeated in the care sheet that he gave me. He taped some gauze to the ring (pulling the tape off of the skin actually was more painful than the piercing) and I paid him, then I was on my way. My fr iend drove me. I stopped off and got some epson salt and antibacterial soap on the way home.
I asked lots of questions. What I gathered from my friend was basically that I had this look of horror on my face as the needle went through. He also said I raised one of my legs up a little bit upon penetration of the needle. I don't remember either of these things, but I think they would be more of just natural body reaction than of actual pain. Seriously, it was NOT that bad. Expect a pinch, then it quickly leaves.
Cleaning it that night was crazy, though. While trying out the epson salt and rotating the ring for the first time, I felt myself get dizzy. Suddenly, everything started turning black and I started getting cold and sweating. It took me a few minutes for that intense headrush to leave me. I had to sit on the floor and drink a glass of water. After that, I was ok with the cleaning procedure.
It's been nearly three weeks now since I had it done and I have experiences no bad effects. Swelling went down after a few days. There has been no great soreness or pain associated with it, other than if I bump it hard into something. All of my coworkers wanted to see it as soon as I got it done. Never before had so many people seen my nipple so frequently. When people heard that I got it done, many cringed at the idea of it. Doesn't hurt that bad, though!
I plan on changing out the ball soon in the ring, but leaving the actual loop in for another two months. It seems like the healing process is coming along quite well, with minimal scabbing or discharge. And finally, I love this piercing! Now I have the itch to get something else done, but I don't know if I ever will or not. This piercing is like a special thing, and once past the initial act of doing, is more of a personal item that only certain people will see or even find out about. I like it. I'd suggest one, or both, but one seems to have a greater special feeling to it.