I've wanted to get my nipples done for years now, ever since I started college... I finally got up the nerve to do it, after several of my friends pulled the old "you're not gonna do it" line. I did my research as I do with all of my interests - experiences and what not so I knew what to expect kinda.
At A Glance Author RJ Contact RJ@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Justin Berk Studio Bodytech Location Gainesville, FL I don't know why they insist on keeping piercing places so freakin' cold, but I was almost shivering (that may have been from the bad sunburn I have). I signed my life away, paid my dues, and waited for the piercer to get back from getting some food. He got everything all set up and called me back. Bodytech is one of my favorite places to get things done just because of the cool people and how clean the place is. Justin marked the entrance and exit points, had me lay back (laying back relaxes the muscles or something and hurts less, so he says)and got everything all clamped down. The clamp was nothing, couldn't even tell it was there - then came time for the needle. The first one went thru and I barely even noticed a thing - just a little "What the...." and bam it was done. The next one was a little harder to get thru, so he got a "OW!" but that was it. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. My piercing came with free "numbing" since I got both nipples done at the same time. All Bodyte ch uses for their numbing is a light topical gel that they kinda put on the needle, so it's not that big of a deal. I personally thought when I got my tongue done the numbing spray was ok, but that's a tongue, not a nipple. A friend of mine had the ethyl-chloride spray done when he got his nipples pierced and he said he thought it almost intensified the feeling of the needle going thru - my best advice is to just not think about whats going on - and certainly don't look at it because then you know when its coming. Just let the trained person do what they're doing - its not like you're going to stop them and correct them on how to do it, right?
I was told to wash it twice a day with anti-bacterial soap, nothing medically fancy, just some Dial from Wal-Mart. No pools or any bodies of water for six weeks, and to keep the rings down so I don't smash it into my nipple (Which isn't comfortable at all, I've already done it once!) Tight undershirts ironically keep things less sore than loose shirts. Whatever you do, don't think you're gonna be a genius and put band-aids over them. You'll think you've been strung up with fishing wire and your nipples are on someone's necklace like Silence of the Lambs.
Aftercare is DEFINITELY a major thing with your piercings. Make sure to keep everything clean, but also do what feels most comfortable for you. Some places reccomend salt soaks - I personally don't think the benefits of them outweigh the mess and process it takes to do the whole soak deal, so I just stick to my soap and water. Whatever you do, don't use anything ointment based - Neosporin, Bactracian, lotions, ANYTHING. That will just funkify your nipple and who wants to walk around with nipple leakage?! NOT ME!
I'm extremely satisfied with how things went - a friend of mine said the pain was almost unbearable.... WHAT PAIN? Not even a drop of blood for me! (That may have been because it was all in the center of my body keeping my vital organs warm because it was like a meat locker in there!)
If you've ever considered getting your nipple(s) done, GO FOR IT! Make sure you are satisfied with the workmanship of the salon you go with, and definitely talk to friends or other people when you go for your piercing to see how satisfied they are with the work of your location.
My future plans only inclue one more piercing - a P.A.! I'm up to 6 (alot for the boy-next-door) lobes, tongue, ear cart, and now the nipples.) I might venture into the world of a tatoo someday, but for now I'll stick to things I can remove if absolutely necessary. If you're reading this, then I commend you on doing your research and absolutely feel free to send me an email if you have any specific questions as to how it was done (as if I haven't already told you enough about it) but I know sometimes its good to get the voice of reason from someone that doesn't think its a big deal. My friend that came with me for "moral support" winced and made more noise than I did for each one. Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. They're cool, I can already feel a difference in sensitivity, and its something that you will get looks for the next time you're at the beach or out by the pool. Not something every run of the mill kid has!