I somehow managed to reach the age of 35 with no piercings whatsoever, not even my ears. Neither my mother nor my grandmother had pierced ears, so it was not something I considered a great deal, especially as I had small, pretty ears with almost non-existent lobes. More to the point, I remember my childhood best friend getting her ears pierced in her teens, and she was forever squeezing pus from the holes. It wasn't a great incentive.
At A Glance Author Cal Contact Cal@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Zusanna Studio London Piercing Studio Location 267 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BX During my twenties I kind of liked being the only person I knew without piercings, but as I got older, I gradually changed my mind. I'd always been vaguely fascinated by pierced nipples, and finally started thinking about whether I should get one done. Partly it was because I liked the way I looked, and partly it was because I'd read that it could increase sensitivity in some people, and since mine are barely more sensitive than the rest of me, it seemed like a good idea.
Just before Christmas, I got drunk with some friends and we ended up staggering around Soho looking for a piercing studio. Of course, we didn't find one, let alone one open at 11pm that would happily serve three extremely drunk people, which was probably just as well. But as fate would have it, I only had to wait another two weeks to get my piercing.
It was Christmas day and my boyfriend and I were exchanging presents. I opened one small, flat package to find a leaflet from the London Piercing Studios in Camden, to which was attached a receipt for a pre-paid nipple piercing. To say I was surprised was an understatement. But I think it was my boyfriend who was the more surprised when I actually went through with it. Of all the presents he got me, he told me that was the one he was least sure I'd like. He'd even asked them if it was OK for me to change to another piercing or even put the money towards a tattoo if I didn't like the idea of getting my nipple done. Still, he should not have worried. I was delighted with the gift, if a bit nervous.
I wanted to get it done and out of the way as soon as possible, but the weather was horrible during the few working days following Christmas, and I didn't much fancy dragging myself around Camden in freezing rain.
Almost a week passed, and on New Year's Eve, we went to Camden and I finally had it done. The studio is a tiny room at the back of a clothes shop, but it appeared very clean. I'd decided that I wanted a barbell rather than a ring, which was £5 extra, but the man at the payment desk said he wouldn't charge us the difference.
I was quite nervous by this point, although I tried not to show it. I was quite relieved when the piercer turned out to be a woman, although I'd have been amused at the thought of my boyfriend paying for a large, tattooed man to handle my boobs.
She led me into the room and we discussed what jewellery I wanted. I have no idea what gauge the bar is but I chose the one with smaller balls. After I'd removed my top and bra, she set about measuring my nipple and making sure that it would sit level. She rubbed disinfectant into it, marked it and had me lie on the couch where she finally clamped it. The clamp wasn't bad. I once had a relationship with someone who liked to use nipple clamps and this was nowhere near as uncomfortable.
Then she told me to breathe deeply and close my eyes. I felt a sharp sensation in my nipple that was painful enough to make me open my eyes pretty wide, but it didn't last long. She fitted the bar quickly, and it was all over. She then showed me my new piercing in the mirror (wow!), before covering the area with a light dressing. After checking I wasn't going to faint (I was fine) she went through some aftercare with me and I got dressed and left.
There was no pain at all for around 10 minutes, but then I guess the endorphins wore off because it really started to throb. When I got home I removed the dressing and there was no sign of blood at all. The soreness lasted less than a week and one month later there is no sign of infection or problems.
I have to say I am thrilled with my piercing. I never thought that highly of my boobs before, but now I can't stop looking at them. I still can't believe I actually got it done. I'm just wondering now whether I should keep the minimalist approach, or get the other one done as well. I guess time will tell.