I have used BME as a point of reference over the last 12 months to research, and gain more confidence about new piercings that I wanted to obtain. Whilst its easy to read up on safety and aftercare, nothing can match the individual experience of people who have been through what I was about to put myself through. I not only wanted to know about the procedure itself and the immediate after effects, but also months down the track and how my new acquirement(s) would fit into day to day life.
At A Glance Author Antonia Contact Antonia@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Simon Studio Deborah's Nails and Piercing Location Myer Centre, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA Most of the stories I read had been written either on the same day, or within a couple of days of the piercing taking place. And while I thoroughly admire their eagerness to spread the word about their new piercing, the early days are almost always a new and exciting time with a new piercing, and the reports are almost always good. What I wanted to know was how it was after the honeymoon was over - How was it six weeks later? Six months later? Did the sensitivity decrease over time? Was it still easy to get it caught on things when you were so used to having them? What are the different jewellery options? The list could go on.
So now, over 12 months later, I thought I would sit down and share my actual piercing experience, and how I've found life ever since.
February 2002. I'd had my navel pierced 6 months earlier, and had caught the bug. I'd been tossing around idea of having my nipples pierced, but I knew I wasn't ready mentally. It was the middle of Summer, and I was on annual leave. I woke up that morning, and I just knew that today was the day. I was in the zone. I called Deborah's who I had gone to for my navel piercing, and spoke with Simon. When I told him I was thinking of having my nipples pierced he immediately responded with "Good on you!" He went over the fine details with me, and said that if I was ready I could come in immediately.
I headed into the city, and fronted up at Deborah's with a mixture of nerves and excitement. I went into the piercing room and went over the details again with Simon. Now, if God hadn't meant us to be pierced, then he wouldn't have invented Emla cream, or patches. Call it taking the easy way out, but this story won't contain any details of excruciating pain. Simon placed Emla cream generously over my nipples, and covered each one with an Emla patch. I was left to my own devices for the next hour, taking time out to eat and drink to boost my blood sugar levels.
When I returned, Simon and I wasted no time getting down to business. I took my shirt off, he took off the patches, cleaned up the cream, and began to mark me (standing up). He had all his "tools of trade" layed out in their little sterilised bags so as to not waste any time, as Emla has a good life of about 8 minutes before the anaesthetic effect will begin to wear off. I lay down on the chair/table and intently concentrated on the ceiling. He began with the left nipple and placed the clamps on, which caused me no discomfort. I averted my gaze just to see him about to place the needle through, but decided I couldn't watch, and closed my eyes. I remained that way until he'd finished the right nipple. I can honestly say I felt no pain. I could feel the pressure of the clamps and although I could feel the needle going through my skin, the area was mostly numb, therefore it was more dull pressure than pain.
I sat up and took a look. I won't say that they were beautiful, in fact I thought they were hideous. They were starting to swell, there was a little blood, and the stainless steel 5mm balls on the ends of the barbell stuck out a mile. But they were mine, and I was happy and proud. Simon covered them up with surgical patches, I dressed, paid the man, and was on my way. I paid $150 AUD (including the Emla cream, patches, and jewellery), which is expensive compared to other shops in Brisbane, however I felt comfortable and at ease with both the shop itself and my piercer, which is what is most important.
I headed on my way home, with what now was a dull, throbbing set of breasts. Being on holidays, and being Summer, I went topless around the house for the next couple of days to avoid the constraints of clothing. In hindsight it probably would have been more comfortable to utilise a bra during the first few days to take the weight of my breasts off my piercings. I was very tender for a couple of days, and you will find yourself accidentally catching them on everything from clothing, to your upper arm as you reach across to pick something up. You have no idea just how many daily activities involve brushing things past your breasts until you've had them pierced. The longer you've had them, you become used to the fact that they're there. Within the early stages though, it didn't help that the bar was a size or two bigger than my nipple, but it wasn't anything a downsize in jewellery couldn't fix.
In the early stages, showering could be quite a challenge. You're nipples become super sensitive. The slightest gust of wind, or a shiver down your spine can cause all sorts of wonderful reactions. So imaging stepping under a hot shower. This causes the metal through your nipples to heat up, and you can imagine what happens next. From what I recall, it wasn't a pleasant experience. Lukewarm showers were the order of the day for about a week. Showers though, are a great place for cleaning up any of the discharge that will initially be present, and then the "crusties" later on.
My aftercare consisted purely of warm salt-water soaks twice a day. I zapped saline solution in the microwave for about 5 seconds, and put this in a container that I could place that part of my breast in, and partially upturn to saturate the area, and not cause any leakage. It would sting a little initially, but as the piercings healed, the stinging became less intense.
After about a week, the initial tenderness went away, and you only knew they were there if you knocked, or caught them (or alternatively a gust of wind!). I found the most common time for me to hurt my piercings was in the shower, when I had no bra or clothes on to protect them, even months after the piercing had healed. Moving or lifting my arm a certain way would sometimes catch the barbell and drag it forwards, up or down, sometimes tearing the skin around the hole. With some special care however and being careful, these little accidents will heal themselves quickly.
Approximately a month later I downsized the jewellery. I originally had an SS 12mm bar with 5mm balls on the ends, and moved down to a 10mm bar with 3mm balls with various coloured gemstones embedded in the ends. The smaller bar doesn't show at either end, and the smaller balls are much daintier. I also opted for internally threaded jewellery, which is much more expensive, but I like the idea of not damaging myself internally pushing through the thread of the bar. Having barbells is more a personal preference for myself, as I'm not a fan of rings. I did the change over myself, just ensuring that I had clean hands, and an antiseptic spray which also acted as a lubricant, to help push the jewellery through easily.
Now, to the good bits. I never had much sensitivity in my nipples at all. They were simply a non-erogenous zone. As soon as I had them pierced, it was an improvement of 500%. The lightest touch could send shivers down my whole body, and was pleasure almost beyond belief. I had no idea my nipples could provide that much stimulation. Any number of stimuli can make a womans nipples erect. Wind, chill, or sometimes they'll just stand up on their own. Combine this with piercings, and even air-conditioning can make you horny! There came a period in June-July where I was constantly sexually aroused. It took me a while to figure out that the Winter weather was causing me to walk around with almost permanently hard nipples, which was turning me on! They have also been a nice addition to my sex life. Men love playing with breasts, but until the piercing, I'd never had so much enjoyment out of it! There is also some really beautiful jewellery available in the nipple sheilds department , which has added a little different spice to my love-life.
The downsides – the sensation doesn't last. Well, not for me anyway. My nipples are still more sensitive than before the piercing, but the super-charged sensitivity I had for the first couple of months has diminished. If there is a way of getting that back, I'd be more than happy to hear about it. Another downside could be reactions from future partners, who may not find piercings attractive. In my opinion, it's their problem. As long as you didn't get your piercings to appease someone else, then they're often very special and very personal. Anybody who can't accept that part of you, is not worthy of your attention.
Finally, the "crusties" everybody talks about – you'll never get away from them. I've heard the crust will fluctuate with your monthly cycle, and for the most part, I've found that to be true. Even now I'll have none for a week or two, and sometimes I have a huge build up of crust for a week, that will eventually just diminish and go away. It comes and goes.
Getting your nipples pierced is a very rewarding experience, one that I would thoroughly recommend. Do your homework carefully and investigate your piercing studio. For the record, I would recommend Deborah's Nails and Piercing in the Myer Centre. I have been there for 3 piercings now and have always had a friendly, clean, and safe experience. There does seem to be a high staff turnover, as I've had different piercers each time, but they have all provided the same excellent service.