It's amazing what you'll do on a dark, dreary day, with a good friend and a significant amount of funds. For example, a friend of mine and I decided we wanted piercings at the beginning of college, but waited until we gathered some courage (and some dinero) before we actually went out and accomplished something we had only dreamed of months earlier...
At A Glance Author Wendy Contact Shirleybelle@angelfire.com Artist John Studio Modern Tribalism Location Syracuse, NY Driving into town, we first stumbled upon what seemed to be a glorified head shop. Walking in the door, the overpowering aroma of incense and the numerous selection of bongs immediatly signaled a red flag (a bit of advice, don't get something pierced in a place where the are more bongs than piercing materials ;o) ) If that wasn't reason to walk out the door, the gentleman running the shop seemed a little too eager to help two young ladies looking for piercings. I was afraid that if he got a glance of my womanly chest, he might cream his shorts. Anyways....
So on we went to a slightly more professional studio, with a more qualified piercer. As my friend and I walked in the door, we were greeted by a very laid back guy named John, and a wide selection of earrings and tattoos (and a detailed video of genital piercings, in case you wanted to know.. hehe). With a reasonable price list, my friend and I agreed on our original piercings (I to get my nipples, and her to get her nostril done). I was explained that a 12 gauge would heal faster than the smaller smaller gauges, so I agreed to get both nipples done (I originally was only going to get one done, but I knew that if it hurt too much, I wouldn't come back to get my other nipple pierced). After filling out the required paperwork, and flashing my embarrassing drivers license photo, John went back and sterlized the equipment and the earrings.
My friend went first (she was afraid he would be too distracted from my piercing for him to get her piercing done correctly ;o) ). After watching what seemed to be a rather painless piercing, it was my turn to step behind the certain and make a plan turn into a reality. First he explained the procedure and showed me the instruments he was going to use. Then I took off my shirt and stood up as he made the marks in which he was going to insert the needles (Don't worry, he cleaned the piercing area very throughly before this). After double checking his accuracy with the markings, I laid down and he placed clamps where he was going to insert the needle. After a few deep breaths, I experienced what seemed to be some of the worst pain I felt in my life. After a sharp pain and some tugging, I had my left nipple pierced. The pain was intense, but was reduced when John got the ring in. With that done, he moved onto my right nipple, and much of the same thing happened. A minute later I was the proud new (and sore) owner of a pair of ring nipple piercings.
When that trauma was done, I put on my shirt and bra carefully and stumbled out of the piercig facility. From that time on, the pain has significantly subsided, and I've picked up a few tricks to heal my piercings faster. Taking a zinc supplement twice a day, washing my piercings with anti-bacterial soap, and soaking my piercings once a day in a salt-water mix should have them healed in about 4 months. Furthermore, all those sports bras shoved in the back end of my dresser have seen new life (they put less pressure on your piercings, as compared to a regular bra). Overall, I can't say I regret my decision to pierce my nipples, but I can't say I'm too thrilled I did it either. However, I'm sure when these babies heal, you're going to be dealing with one very satisified piercing veteran.
FYI-- if you want to hear about my friend's piercing story, check it out under 'nostril piercings'.. her story is titled "A snowy day, two girls.." Also... make sure you go to a qualified piercing salon to get your piercing done. My friend and I went to the place we did because I've heard of some good experiences about that peticular shop and the piercer had piercings (which makes sense when you think about it.. do you want someone piercing you, if they haven't gone through the experience themselves?)
In case you are wondering.. yes, I will be getting more piercings, perhaps a tongue ring. But first, I'm waiting for these babies to heal ;o) This brings my piercing total to 12 (I have 9 ear piercings, including cartilage, an eyebrow rings, and now, two "door knockers")