At A Glance Author Jamesdavid Contact jamesdavid12@hotmail.com When A month ago Artist Sarah Studio LOndon piercing clinic Location Croydon, England I so far have my scrumper and tongue pierced. I wouldn't say I have a high tolerance of pain but found my previous piercings not painful at all. I have never been interested in tattoos but I am going to get a scalpel ling this summer. My choice in piercings are so because I have very strict and conservative parents. The tongue piercing may sound like a bad choice for such a situation but is more concealable than first thought.
I actually wanted a cleavage piercing or a horizontal navel but speaking to Sarah about the likely hood of rejection i decided against it. I would not advise you to change your mind on a piercing so easily as they are a major step no matter how many people have them or the fact that you can take them out. Despite this I was in the mood for a piercing and I had the nipple in the back of my mind for a long time but never thought i would have the courage to go through with it.
I went to the shop (a smoking paraphernalia shop called 'Up in Smoke' where the clinic resides during a free period. After hearing that the nipple piercing hurt i was nervous but just wanted it over and done with. My ID was checked. In England you have to be at least 16 to get a piercing. I would not advise getting a piercing before this age not to sound too patronizing but it is a big decision which shouldn't be swayed by peer pressure or trying to be more mature. Also a place that doesn't check your ID may not be as refined as you may want it to be. Sarah is really cool and calms you down (she's done my previous piercings). The room is really clean and smells of antibacterial agents.
She told me to take my shirt of and measured the nipple. She dotted, with a marker, the places she would enter and exit the nipple. She took out the right sized bar and asked if I was ok with it. To be honest I didn't know what I was meant to be looking for but it was brand new and looked the right size. I lay on the table while she took out a new needle and freshly autoclaved equipment. She put the tweezers on which didn't hurt at all. I heard from a friend that a good way of telling if the piercer is a professional if they change their gloves at least twice during a single procedure. Sarah did this, which gave me some assurance. Without warning she put the needle through. To be honest it did pinch quite a bit and i tensed my muscles but it was over really quickly. My eyes didn't water like friends have told me they would. The needle was through when she walked over to the desk and un did the a ball on the bar. She pulled the needle out and replaced it with the bar. This w as the same pain as the initial piercing. I looked down and there was a perfect shiny bar through my nipple. The blue dots were still there but washed off a few days later.
I was chuffed. I paid (45 English pounds), thanked her and left. With a ring the piercing is 35 but with a bar it is 40. I would definitely advise this piercing, it stung a bit and slightly bled that night but well worth it. Don't let the pain put you off because it is so worth it after you got it done and you will forget the pain after a while.
Another very important point, which i only found out after the piercing, is that you should only change your jewelry at least six months after the piercing. I ignorantly tried to replace the bar with a ring a few weeks later and it stung so much i had to take it out. If you do keep changing the jewelry you will increase the likely hood of migration and/or infection. I also personally never get a piercing while under the influence of a drug. In theory it may help you along with the procedure but it can turn on you. A mate got a brow piercing after a joint, at the sight of blood he hit the deck.
I'm saving up for my next nipple. Also remember to tip your piercer and always check for new needles and a clean room. It may sound stupid at the time and you may be to nervous or excited to care but a little more precision in choosing your piercing parlor may save your life. If you live in London I would advise Sarah she's been piercing for 5 years and very good.