To be honest with you I never really wanted my nipple pierced. I didn't think it was the most attractive piercing I'd ever seen and I didn't think it was really for me. but here's my story anyway!
At A Glance Author Pinky Contact Pinky@bme.anon When A month ago Artist not sure actually! Studio Camden Piercing &Tattoo Studios Location err Camden... London, England I've been wanting to get my tongue pierced for ages. I finally asked my parents in November 2004 (wow last year how weird!) and of course they said no, so I asked them if I made my case in a proper way then I wanted them to consider it properly. anyway I did go and write a long list of advantages (hmm) and disadvantages and other things I can do at 16 (it was coming up to my 16th birthday ). ok this isn't about tongue piercing so I'll wrap it up, basically they said yes (well they both hate the idea of it n really don't want me to but hey they know I'd get it done sometime anyways) but not till after my GCSEs (may-ish 2005) I thought fair enough but I want a piercing now!
I thought of many possibilities, well not really, I narrowed it down to tongue web, nipple or another navel piercing. I chose against tongue web because although it cant be seen it might be a bit suspicious when I go to get the standard tongue piercing and there is already a piercing there... I chose against navel because my parents would actually see it. so nipple was my choice because you know what, I don't plan on showing my parents my nipples any time soon. by the way I planned to get the piercing without my parents permission because if I asked for more piercings now then they'd get annoyed and not let me get my tongue done.
Next job was to find a place to pierce a 16yr old. I was sure there would be a place in Camden, I mean there's not exactly a shortage of piercing parlours there so I thought at least one of them had to pierce me! I go there a lot as well so it wouldn't be suspicious at all to my parents. I found numbers of places and rang them, asking about tongue and nipple piercings, some of them made me laugh though because they were saying 'don't take any drugs before you come in for the piercing' do I sound like a drug taker on the phone or something?! well anyway my search was starting to look bad, I tried several places who all said no piercings until you're 18 or have parents with you etc.
Finally I phoned Camden Piercing & Tattoo Studios who said they would do it, I just needed proof of id, like my passport or something and they would do it. I put the phone down and was really excited because that weekend I was going to get piercing number 5 or 6 (6 if I got both, not 6 because I lost count). next I told the friend who I was going to Camden with. I realised I hadn't asked if the price was for both or just the one, I rang again but there was no answer, next day I found out it was for one.
so on the 27th of November I was on the train ready to get my piercing. I was real nervous though I'll admit. I didn't know who was going to pierce me or anything. my worst nightmare would be if I had a guy piercer.
We got there and I just wanted to get it out the way before I change my mind, but we wasn't sure where the studio was. eventually we found it, it was in the back of a shop, I was nervous walking in there, got to the back of the shop, first question I asked was 'how old do you have to be for a tattoo' the answer was 18. I was like oh bugger. I spoke to the nice lady at the till and told her what I wanted, just the one for now. my birthday was on the 22nd November so I had some spare cash, I had enough for both but I didn't want to spend too much money in one go. it was £25 for the piercing plus £5 for the cleaning stuff. we got the forms sorted out, even though I forgot how to spell my name and what the date was, I was nervous ok! I was told to go and sit in the room and wait for the piercer. my friend was allowed to come in with me but I said no don't worry about it I'll be fine.
I sat there waiting for a while, very nervous and a guy walked in the room. I thought oh no this better not be my piercer. It was. He asked what I was getting done and he sorted out all the apparatus he was going to use, showing me that they were all new packets not been opened before etc. he told me to take my top off, I really didn't want to! he said 'its ok I'm gay' that was probably the most relief I had the whole time. So off the top and bra came, he told me to stand up so he could mark me, I sat back down but kept covering myself up, my piercer kept telling me to calm down and put my arms by my side. he got the clamps and put them on, it hurt but was bearable, next he put the needle through. I wont lie, it does hurt, its not the most painful thing ever but it hurt enough for me to go 'ow'. He put the bar in (I didn't actually watch the procedure so I'm only guessing what was going on). He said to have a look, I did then he showed me how to clean it (the whole time I was thinking err can I please put my top back on) then I got my top and went back out to pay, the guy didn't sound too pleased when I said my parents didn't know but hey what was done was done! He then looked at my passport thingy (which to be honest with you I don't really look like anymore) and was like 'you've only been 16 for a few days'. well I didn't want to waste my 16yr old piercing privileges now did I!?
A little word of warning, when you get your piecing done, don't go shopping afterwards, having to reach up for clothes etc is very painful! well not painful but annoying. When I got home I was like holy crap did I just really do that? I check and sure enough there was a bar through my nipple! I didn't really choose a great day to do it. that night I went to a gig. with a friend who gives hugs. big hugs. I was a bit nervous because I wasn't going to tell her about the piercing, but it wasn't too bad, hugs didn't hurt too much but another friend actually picked me up, that does hurt! Didn't get it hit in the moshpit either.
I'm not sure if I will get my other nipple pierced, I mean I like it but I don't really know if I will get the other one done right now.
Overall I am pleased with the piercing, there was hardly any swelling and it didn't take long to heal. My advise if you want to get it done, actually think about it and do research about what they will do, my piercer did tell me but I was too busy thinking 'yes ok now get the bloody piercing done so I can put my top back on'. I wouldn't advise going behind your parent's backs either but I was desperate! I haven't told many people about it, maybe 5people at the most, no-one has seen it yet but it err had its first trial if you like on new years eve...
Patience pays off ok people!