I'm one of those people that has a tendency to be slightly paranoid about what could go wrong with a piercing. Ok, maybe that should win the understatement of the year award.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Lauren Studio Cliff's Tattoo and Body Piercing Location Centereach, LI When I first thought I might like to get my nipples pierced last summer I had never experienced a piercing other than ear lobes. Although the idea of pierced nipples excited me I got cold feet and let myself forget about it. A month later I got "that urge" to do something new. This happened a few times and I ended up with various piercings, but I still wanted the nipples done. It was a goal, something to reach for, but I thought I didn't have enough experience. In reality I was just plain terrified of having a needle pushed though my nipple.
Recently I was reintroduced to the idea of nipple piercings and found I was still longing for them. They're what I consider a "personal" piercing. Nobody has to know that I have them unless I want them to. They look good and they seemed like fun.
Once again I began researching the procedure, aftercare, risks, and results of a new piercing. For the most part I was thrilled at the prospect of owning a pair of adorned nipples. However, there were a few things that put me off. I read countless horror stories and what might happen in case of an infection. In the end my desire overpowered my constant paranoia. I relentlessly bugged my boyfriend about coming with me for my next piercing. He was enthusiastic about it and decided to get his second nipple piercing when I did mine.
I picked the day I wanted to be "the day" and immediately began to lose patience with how slowly time was moving. Five days ahead of schedule my boyfriend and I were sitting in the parking lot of the piercing shop. . . and I was getting cold feet. I wanted to get those piercings. I wanted them bad. I was finding it difficult to get out of the car, though. My boyfriend, knowing that I'd be fine once I got in the shop, gave me a look after several minutes, laughed, kissed me, and got out of the car. I came trailing after. He talked to the piercer (I had decided to try a new place for this particular piercing. . . I did the research) and explained what we wanted and that I would be performing (I play blues violin) the next two nights and would the piercings bother me during the gig. She said that I'd most likely be fine.
The three of us made our way into the back piercing room. I was shaking like a leaf. I was excited, nervous, and had sweated through my shirt. The piercer got everything ready while we watched, marked me, and answered all my pre-pierce questions. She was very nice, very professional, and I was happy with my choice to go this shop. I closed my eyes as soon as she came at me with the clamps. As she was lining them up she told me that a lot of people say they're the worst part. I felt the metal around my nipple. She asked me to breathe in, out, in, and then I felt the needle go through. I think I'd forgotten to breathe out the last time and was holding my breath. That split second felt like an eternity. After she got the jewelry in I heard myself let out a sigh. She quickly moved to my left nipple. I still had my eyes firmly shut. Everyone had told me the second nipple hurt worse than the first, so I prepared myself for more pain. I barely felt the clamp as she told me she was lining them up. On this side she gave me no count or warning. I felt the clamps and then a very quick pain and heard my boyfriend asking a question about the barbell jewelry. I actually had to ask if it was finished because I was still expecting more pain. I was assured it was over and I could open my eyes. The jewelry was in place and she began cleaning my fresh piercings. As it turned out I reacted opposite to what I'd expected. The clamps had no effect on me and I barely felt the second piercing. Go figure.
I stood there with my shirt off for a few minutes while the piercer cleaned up and prepared for my boyfriend's nipple piercing. I could still feel my knees shaking as I leaned against the counter. I was afraid to look in the mirror for the first few minutes. I'm not sure what I was afraid of really because I was happy with myself and my new metal, but the adrenaline was quickly wearing off.
Once everything was finished and we were heading back to the car I began to feel the pain. For about 5 minutes it was almost overwhelming. In the car I let myself whimper a bit. Soon the pain subsided into a dull ache and warmth. My boyfriend and I decided to celebrate and go out to dinner at that point. Laughing, we got out of the car and held hands at arms length making jokes about not touching due to the piercings.
Three days later I'm still thrilled with having finally gotten my nipple piercings. I haven't been in any intense pain and survived my two gigs with only moderate discomfort. There's still some slight swelling and a bit of blood during my sea salt soaks, but nothing that seems abnormal. I'm also glad that my boyfriend and I are healing at the same time. For anyone out there that's thinking of nipple piercings. . . just do it!