I have wanted my right nipple pierced for ages. I have been looking at images and experiences here on BME for months, and I knew through this that I wanted it pierced vertically. The only problem was, I was too afraid to go! Firstly because I didn't have a piercer who had pierced me before, and I was comfortable with, and also because I was afraid of the pain! So it took all the courage I had to go, and after asking two of my friends who had had their nipples pierced too what they thought about it (one said it hurt and the other said it didn't, so I had a 50/50 chance of it hurting!), I decided it was time. I knew immediately that I wanted Gemma from The Piercing Studio (who has just pierced my navel too) to perform the piercing, as she worked in a totally professional and clean way, so I went into town to go and (finally!) get my right nipple vertically pierced.
At A Glance Author BiteMyTongue Contact i_love_mumm_ra@hotmail.com IAM BiteMyTongue When It just happened Artist Gemma Studio The Piercing Studio Location Canterbury, England When I got there, however, the other piercer was having her lunch, and there were quite a few people waiting to be pierced, and already someone being pierced, so I decided to wait for a while in the shop. This, as it turned out was a bad move! The shop was so hot, after about ten minutes, I was at fainting point, so I decided to go and get a drink from Starbucks then return when the other piercer was back. I finished my drink, then returned to find the shop was empty! Yay! I could finally get it done.
The lady at the counter asked me what piercing I wanted and I told her, filled in the form, and paid my £30. Unfortunately, Gemma was downstairs sorting out some kind of jewellery or other, so I sat down and talked to the lady behind the counter for about ten minutes, until she decided that I had waited quite long enough, and could see that I was becoming more and more nervous and time went on. So she went downstairs to see how long Gemma would be, and she returned, with Gemma in close tow.
I gave her my form and receipt to show that I had already paid, and she asked me to come into the piercing room, and close the two doors behind me. When we got into the piercing room, Gemma opened a new box of gloves, and put a pair on. She then took a tray out of the autoclave, and placed a sterile piece of cloth in it. I watched closely as she took the equipment needed out of the autoclave and then she asked me to watch her as she opened a new needle and put it into the tray. After this, I was asked to choose the jewellery I wanted placed in my nipple and I chose a plain stainless steel straight barbell.
She then asked me very politely to take off my top and bra, which I did, then placed them on the chair with my coat. As she began to mark my nipple horizontally, I suddenly remembered (just in time!) that I wanted it done vertically. She was happy to change the placement for me, and showed me in the mirror so I could check that I was happy with it.
Gemma then asked me to lie down on the hospital bed type thing (which had a new layer of paper cloth on it) so she could pierce me. She placed the clamp on my nipple, which was, at first cold and then very painful, so I thought to myself 'oh no, this is going to hurt SO bad...' Next, she sprayed my nipple with very very cold anaesthetic spray, then fanned it a bit to get it to work. She asked how I was, and I replied 'fine' which I wasn't by this time!
She reached for the needle, and told me she was about to pierce me, and I inhaled deeply to brace myself for the pain. I could feel the needle going through my nipple, but it didn't hurt at all! I started talking to Gemma about how little it hurt, and she replied 'yes, it's more the "oh my god I have a needle going through my nipple" factor than the pain!" which I thought was quite amusing, and so right! She then took of the clamps, which was a little uncomfortable, but very bearable. After this, I felt a little sharp pinch when she placed the barbell through, but it was not nearly as painful as I had expected! I then took a look in the mirror, and it was so perfect!
Gemma put a Melolin patch over the piercing, and told me to keep it on for 12 hours (if possible!) and that the cleaning procedure was the same as my navels. She also mentioned that bleeding is normal in the first week or so, and if I had any problems to come back. I then put my clothes back on, and went back home!
The pain after the piercing was much worse than the actual piercing itself, as the bus I had to catch home was shaking and vibrating! But now, it is fine, and virtually painless, except a little ache, and I've only had it done about 2 hours!
If you want this piercing done, but are afraid of the pain.... Go for it!