Getting my nipple pierced was something that I've thought about for a year or more before I got it done almost one year ago (wow, how the time does fly!). I decided on a nipple piercing because I knew so many people with their tongue, navel or nose pierced and only one other girl with her nipple done (and a couple of guys). So my mind was made up, I figured it was the type of mod that I wouldn't have to show or tell people unless I was comfortable with it. I did a little research on the net and came across BME. After reading some of the stories, I became a little more than freaked out (I'll admit, the pain scared me). I wasn't going to let that stop me though as I wanted to do it so bad.
At A Glance Author Kimberly Contact Kimberly@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Dave Studio Caledonia Sun Tattoos and Piercing Location Stirling, Scotland I couldn't work up the courage to get it done at home, mainly because the only piercer around that will do women knows my parents. Last year in March I had made the decision to fly to Europe for the summer on May first to work for 4 months. It was the perfect time to get it done because I wouldn't have to worry about my friends talking me out of it, I could just go and "take the plunge". I finally settled in Scotland on June 16th. At the end of June, on my day off, I went into the nearest city (Stirling) with a couple of girls from work to shop and just hang out. We walked by a piercing studio and I mentioned that I've wanted to get my nipple pierced for so long. That was all they needed to hear and they were off and running, talking a mile a minute about how great it is (they both had nipple piercings) and that I just "had" to do it. I walked into the place, asked about getting it done (secretly hoping he'd tell me to come back the next day), and he gave me a form to fill out then led me upstairs all by my lonesome.
John was very friendly and made me feel at ease immediately. Another lady came in to monitor him and oversee the piercing, I think it was mainly for safety reasons because they didn't have any cameras in there. They asked my permission and I didn't mind of course, it was no big deal to me. So I laid down on the table and stripped off my top and bra while John sterilized everything and I chatted to the girl (I think her name was Melissa). He asked me whether I wanted a barbell or a ring and which nipple I wanted done, I chose a ring in my right nipple. He made the marks with his Sharpie and asked me to check and make sure they were where I wanted. The room was freezing, so my nipples were perfectly erect and ready to go. John told me exactly what he was doing because I didn't want to watch and Melissa talked to me about other things. The clamp was nothing for me, I felt the needle go through, it was only when he put the straw in that I really squirmed and he spoke in a very calming voice and just told me to breathe deep and think about sunny skies. All of a sudden he said "All done". I had a tiny drop of blood and that was that, I checked myself out in the mirror and LOVED it. I then put my top and bra back on with no trouble and went back downstairs with him. I felt no pain for the rest of the day even when walking through a crowd and getting bumped more than once.
John answered all my questions perfectly and gave me instructions on the aftercare of my nipple. He even said that I could come back before flying back to Canada so he could check everything out. He told me to cleanse it daily with a salt water solution, hot water mixed with a few granules of rock sea salt. A tattoo artist that also worked there (Tonya) gave me a great tip on cleaning it. Put the solution in a mug, bend over to dip the nipple into the water and lean back for a few minutes to let the salt water do it's work on the piercing. When I first went to turn the ring later that evening, I felt a little light headed and had to sit down. But ever since then, I've had zero problems. I sometimes forget it's even there.
I cannot wait to get leftie done now, it's only a matter of time! I like the idea of symmetry. I highly recommend this type of piercing to anyone who is semi-shy, although I love showing mine off. Ask lots of questions, don't worry, your piercer will expect them.