I always thought nipple piercings were a bit gross when a friend of mine who was 15 tried to pierce her own nipple (unsuccessfully! and hey, never a good idea, kids.) And I never considered myself one for 'private piercings'. But looking at BME and reading some stories I just thought why not?
At A Glance Author * Collette * Contact lesbian69lovin@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Marlene Studio Camden Locks hair and tattoo Location Camden, London Fast forward to the 4th of May 2004 (eclipse of the moon?) I had already got Camden locks' card so I gave 'em a bell and booked my appointment, the woman on the other side sounded positive and chirpy so I felt confident to go in and have them done.
A couple of hours later I got off the bus (in the bucketing rain!!!!!) all by myself, bought a cheap umbrella for my new piercings sake and headed down through the dirty, scabby main street of Camden. I was feeling nervous, anxious, cold and alone, but I really, really wanted these piercings done.
I finally got to the piercer/hairdresser/tattoo parlor and was greeted half-heartedly by Marlene who was plastered in makeup and hair gel. She smiled weakly at my saying 'I'm Collette, here for the piercing...yeah nipples...yep both...' Her face betrayed her disgust. So that put me right off, but I thought well I'm here now and I've got the money so lets get on with it! She quizzed me over the type of jewelry I wanted but I could not afford it so they were out of the question. I wanted to get bars but I have got hoops now. We then went through some paperwork and aftercare very quickly then I headed downstairs.
She told me to remove my top and I said I rather do it not in front of you if you don't mind! (A doctor would never ask you to strip why should a piercer!) So she went out and sorted her equipment. While I was removing my clothing I could not help but notice how damn tiny this room was (about the size of 2 toilet cubicles!) There was a mirror on one wall and a jewelry-advertising poster on the other which kept me busy while I nervously awaited my fate! The floor was dirty; there was hair and a bit of dust gathering beneath me but it was not enough to get to me.
In she came. I felt kind of embarrassed about my breasts and my slight belly, I also felt she was scrutinizing me constantly because she was frowning and pouting at me. But never mind. She swabbed me down and dotted me wrongly so I told her again where to put them and because she put so much alcohol on my nipples the ink was blurring on the little wrinkles of my skin. I thought she sort of knows where it's going so it does not matter too much! She clamped me down and told me to breathe and whatnot so I did and B'Jesus it hurt! The most excruciating pain conceivable to me I have ever suffered so far in life. Then she started making jokes about the bittersweet pain and I just wanted her to shut her mouth and get on with her job. Then she managed to do the second (bless her) which was equally painful if I remember correctly. I then sat upright in the chair and checked out my bleeding breasts, two perfect red lines travelling down the curves.
The piercings both looked straight so I thanked her for that small mercy and then she cleaned (or I cleaned) up my blood and then she taped one circle each of cotton to my nipples which was nice and comforting for me.
Marlene then left me to my own devices and said that I could stay for a while, as I felt a bit, no very, light headed. I grudgingly put on my boyfriend's big baggy jumper and packed my bra and T-shirt in a bag and went upstairs to pay and get me some much-needed water! What a relief they're finally done and all mine to look after. I sat in a chair and talked to some guy getting his dreads un-tangled and sipped and sipped until I felt like I would not do any more good. I then got up and paid (a little bit less than the price but nothing said) and walked out.
I realize that I had not eaten properly in the morning but never mind I will go and buy a sugary snack to energize me a little and encourage me to walk all the way to the 29 bus stop. I think I went into the main CD shop near the underground and waited for the rain to subside while considering just how painful the whole experience was and how sick and unhappy I felt! Can't wait to get home!
When I did eventually get back I peeled back the tape but I did not want to unsettle them so I left them a few more hours. I noticed the blue spots were still sitting there on my nipples but I thought they would go away with time. One still remains to this day because Marlene somehow managed to tattoo me with the permanent pen. I think the ink went under my skin because the alcohol let it slip around everywhere then with the needle going in, pushed some of the colour under.
Someday I will be able to insert whatever jewelry I feel like, but not now. I was recommended by cold steel to leave it about six months before changing the jewelry and I thought that was good advice, after all, who wants mucus pouring out of their germ harboring nipples?