A little over a year ago I turned 18. With this age comes much more freedom, much more responsibility, and for me, much more metal. So now, for your entertainment and knowledge I give you my story of nipple piercing greatness.
At A Glance Author Sara Contact Sara@bme.anon IAM Ms Xia Jay When A year ago Artist Richard Studio Formerly Burning Star Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Corpus Christi, TX The Reason:
I had wanted to get my nipples pierced for a year or so but for multiple reasons I could not get them done sooner, first and foremost being that I was a minor. The other reason was a boy. The boy in fact. You know the one. I not only took out my tongue piercing for him but had also decided not to get my nipples pierced, all for him because he didn't like piercings, which could possibly be why we didn't work out. But lo and behold, what's this? He broke up with me the day before my birthday. Aren't I the lucky girl! Honestly, as bitter as I was, I thought it over and decided it really was the best thing, because as I was thinking this I decided then and there for my birthday the nipple piercings would commence because I was free from him, free from judgment and free from the horrible childish age of 17. The problem was, I just wasn't sure when exactly I would get them pierced.
The Piercer:
Over the summer of 2003 I had moved to Corpus Christi, TX from Colorado. I quickly became friend with the staff of Burning Star Tattoo and Body Piercing, all thanks to IAM. I knew him well, was friends with him, trusted him with my body and he had pierced my tongue a few months earlier. I'm a somewhat modest person when it comes to nudity so I didn't want some random person, guy or girl, seeing me topless. These, along with the fact that Rich is just a brilliant piercer, are the main reasons I chose him as my piercer. So one day I was sitting at the shop, the subject nipple piercing came up and I said, "let's do the dang thing."
The Procedure:
I went into the piercing room and sat on the chair. I was getting mighty nervous but these piercings meant freedom to me and I was going to go through with them. Rich had me take off my shirt and bra and he then cleaned and marked me. I tried to focus on my breathing but this was hard as the nerves were really getting up there. Normally I have a friend in the room with me to hold my hand or what have you but, because of my modesty, I decided to go at it alone. So I'm all prepped, ready to go, Rich changed gloves and grabbed one of the needles. I was floored, but also somewhat intimidated. We had decided on 12 gauge 1\2" surgical stainless steel barbells. All my piercings before this had been done at 14 gauge so, the bigger needle was a little fear inducing. Rich aligned the first piercing, told me to take a deep breath, hold it, and exhale. Wow. I really have no words to express the pain. It was worse than everything else I've had done but at the same time it was good. He got the second needle ready but I asked for a minute to regain my composure. That first one was intense. After I steadied my breathing he aligned the second needle. Inhale, hold it, exhale. Again, pain. This time however it was more of a normal piercing pain. He put the jewelry in both nipples and I was done. I paid him, thanked him, gave him a very light hug and was on my way home.
Afterwards:
As extreme as the pain was that I felt during the piercings it was completely gone the next day. For the duration of the healing time I cleaned them with sea salt soaks and antibacterial soap once a day. I wore a tank top with a built in bra due to the fact that my normal bra had a tendency to shift, moving the piercings, which created discomfort. For the first week and a half I folded some tissue paper into fourths and put them in my bra due to bleeding. They did bleed more heavily than all of my other piercings but not an alarming amount.
Overall my nipples piercings completely served their purpose of liberation from childhood and man. I was also surprised at the confidence they gave me in myself and my body. I was no longer ashamed of my small breasts and in fact have come to like them and their adornment quite a lot. So, if it's something that interests or excites you I highly recommend nipple piercings, or any other piercing, tattoo or mod that you really want. Fight the man!