Almost two years ago I had my left nipple pierced, when I lived in America but for a number of reasons took the piercing out and let it heal up. When I had it pierced before, they used a 14ga tri-bevelled needle and to be perfectly honest it hurt like hell. There was however little or no blood.
At A Glance Author Richard IAM WelshRich When It just happened Artist Don't Know Studio Welsh Piercing Studio/Tattooland Location Cardiff, Wales, UK Some of the reasons for taking it out, were job related but most were more personal and for reasons that I can't seem to justify anymore. Maybe partly peer pressure but also that I didn't feel I could handle the piercing on an emotional level.
The healing period continued fine with regular salt soaks and some bactarin which the piercer had supplied. All went well and it only hurt for a short period of time.
Anyway, like I said for a number of different reasons I retired the piercing but always missed it so for a long time I have wanted to have it re-done. It also seemed like the ideal opportunity to get both done at the same time.
Since having the piercing previously a lot has changed in my life such as coming out and whilst this isn't a major factor I do feel it has helped me to become more in touch with who I am and prepared for such an experience.
I had exams and coursework for university and was extremely busy in work so had little time to get them done as there is the whole aftercare experience as well as just the relatively short process of the piercing. I wanted to remain focused on the other matters, but now I had 3 weeks with no commitments except for a vacation. The final catalyst was a dream of getting them pierced so I thought it must be fate to do it. Although the actual event was fairly last minute, I had thought about having it done for long enough so that it didn't feel like an impulsive decision. I had already decided where I was going to get them pierced and was prepared in terms of reading up experiences especially those involving piercing through scar tissue.
The piercer described the process noting that I had previously had one nipple pierced and there was scar tissue there. He told me that it would be painful going through this scar tissue but I had already come to that conclusion myself so was somewhat prepared.
He marked them both up and allowed me to check for position and when I was happy I lay down and he placed the clamp on my right nipple. In this case he used a cannula type needle. The piercing itself was a lot more painful than I had remembered it to be and by the time the right one was finished with the ring on I was a lot more worried about having the left done especially considering the warning of it hurting more.
The process was the same for the left side with the clamp but I was more prepared for the pain and tried to block it out more. It didn't hurt as much as I had expected although that is relative.
The rings were both in place and the piercer applied a vaseline type substance to prevent any immediate infection. He then covered both sides with bandage which turned out to be fortunate as it prevented bleeding onto my shirt as I was travelling home.
About an hour later I carried out the first cleaning of the new piercings with a salt soak. Everything seemed to be fine, but that evening the right side bled profusely and I became concerned because it was not something that I had experienced before.
This is now the following morning and I have since cleaned the piercing on a number of regular occasions with salt soak. The bleeding seems to have stopped although for how long I am not sure. Both sides are still tender perhaps more so that previously but I can't be sure. I believe that the bactarin may have helped before.
I really like the look of both of them, rather than just one side and have every intention of keeping them. As for jewelry I will probably get barbells rather than rings once they have healed and would also like to stretch them slightly up to maybe 10ga or 8ga. I haven't decided this for certain though.
Having experienced the use of two different types of needles I would have to indicate a slight preference towards tri-bevelled needles. They seem to be sharper and the use of a cannula is almost like an immediate stretch with the plastic tube after the piercing with a smaller needle.
Hopefully they will both heal nicely and I will continue to carry out a rigourous cleaning schedule.
For those who have retired a nipple piercing and want to get it done again, there is an additional pain factor to be considered although not so much to put you off having it done.