I have had my nipples pierced for about 3 years now and have loved ALMOST every minute of that time. I originally started out with a set of 14 Gauge CBR's and then stretched after about a year and a half to 12 Gauge curved barbells. This is actually, where this story begins.
At A Glance Author garydc Contact garyc1969@gmail.com When A week ago Artist Allen Falkner Studio Obscurities Location Dallas, TX I had to take out the CBR's to have a Cat Scan. They were only out for about 2 hours, and I got them back in successfully, except that I needed help getting the beads to stay in place. I stopped by a local shop on my way back to work from the Dr.'s office to get some help. While there, I decided to go ahead and stretch from a 14 to 12 Gauge, and since I was tired of the CBR's, I wanted some new jewelry as well. I asked for internally threaded curved barbells, but the guy at the shop (which will remain nameless for this review) said that they didn't carry them because they were too expensive and were overrated anyway. I was a little uncomfortable with that, but he talked me into getting them anyway. I was way too trusting as well as being in a hurry.
They went in fine, with the help of a taper, but felt tight. I rather liked that tight feeling though so I went on about my day and they were fine.
Things went on fine for a while until I decided to take them out to clean them. Even though they are completely healed, they still get a buildup inside the hole where the jewelry is and need to be cleaned every so often. Well the first time I took them out, the cleaning went ok, but it was pretty uncomfortable getting them back in. They were tender of a day and then were fine again. I don't take them all the way out that often to clean because to be honest they don't need it that often. About 4 months later, I took them out again for a cleaning. Well, I don't know if the right one, which is pierced deeper than the left, was already irritated or what the deal was, but it wasn't easy at all getting the barbell back in. The threads hurt quite a bit this time and they did some damage going back in. After a couple of days, it was just getting worse. Then the right one started to swell. I was convinced that I was going to lose the right one.
In a "last ditch effort" I decided to get some internally threaded curved barbells that were a little longer than the ones I currently had to allow for the swelling and aid in the healing process. I started calling shops around the Ft. Worth, and Arlington areas and nobody carried internally threaded unless I was willing to let them order them and wait. Well hell, I could have ordered them myself from BME shop, if I had wanted to wait. Don't take that as me suggesting that NO shop other than Obscurities carries good quality jewelry. I am only commenting on the few that I called. I am sure there are many other quality shops in the DFW area that I don't know about.
I finally decided to go ahead and take a drive into Dallas to get what I needed. I walked into Obscurities and was met with a very friendly and knowledgeable staff, who actually took the time to MEASURE me and determine what was going to be my best fit. They also had the proper jewelry. Allen then gave me a couple of suggestions on what I should do. It all made total sense.
After finding the right jewelry in their stock and sterilizing it, Allen took me to the back to put it in. He then went over the cleaning and sterilizing process with me, yet again, which I thought was very professional of him. Not only that, but sterilized Sea Salt came as part of the package. The other shops that I have been too, just want you to go find your own. That isn't a hard thing to do, but having it there was just a nice added touch.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Obscurities. I heartily recommend their shop.
The moral of this story is that you should NEVER skimp or be in a hurry when it comes to jewelry selection. Internally threaded may indeed be more expensive, but it is WELL worth the extra money. After just two days, I feel back to normal again. Allen has the finest shop in which I have PERSONALLY been. I will go nowhere else from now on for piercings or tattoos. The extra money is nothing over the lifetime of a piercing or tattoo. So spend that little extra and do it right.