I got my navel pierced almost four years ago and figured that would be the *craziest* thing I ever did... well, that turned out to be sort of wrong. I'm one of those goody-two-shoes, who just looks like I study all the time and don't know who to have fun.. so most people assume that I pretty much behave that way... which really couldn't be further from the truth. I've found my wild side, I guess you could say and I've now got four tattoos (not done with them, either!) and briefly considered tongue piercing, but figured that since one of these days I'll have to get a "real" job.. I probably shouldn't. So, I decided, almost out of nowhere, that I was going to get my nipple pierced. I first decided that I was going to wait until May (when I graduate from college) as a sort of celebration.. but then the mood hit me and I was like, why not today? Those urges come and go alot, but I wanted to take advantage of this one while I had it.
At A Glance Author CJ When It just happened Artist Ryan Studio Kaleidoscope Location Springfield, MO I frequently cruise around the BME site, so I did plenty of reading before I actually made the final call. It sounded like there were more positive stories than horror stories- so I thought it couldn't be too bad and decided, what the hell! I went to Kaleidoscope, where I'd had my cartilidge pierced a few years ago and I really liked the piercer, Ryan (and have since recommended several of my friends to him) and told them what I wanted done.
After choosing my jewelry (I was given the option of a barbell or CBR and decided on the CBR, even though it was a little bigger than I was hoping for.. I've got pretty small nipples) Ryan took me back to the piercing room. All I had to do was pull my shirt up and flip my bra down on the side that was being pierced- no undressing. He made marks with a sharpie on either side of my nipple and told me it was being "very cooperative" (uh, thanks, I think). Next I was told to lie down on the table and take deep breaths.. I actually started laughing because there was a sign with a smiley face on the ceiling that said "You'll make it!" I finally got around to breathing, then he put the clamps on.. which I didn't think hurt at all.. yes, they were squeezing.. but it wasn't bad. I felt the needle slide through, which didn't really feel like much of anything, not so much a pinch or anything even... then the jewelry went through. That wasn't the most pleasant experience, but it also wa sn't like having my eyes poked out with a fork... so I say it wasn't so bad. Ryan told me to go ahead and get up... gave me some aftercare instructions.. which seem to differ from everything else I've ever heard (just to put ear care solution on it a few times a day, wash with anti-bacterial soap in the shower and don't touch it or try to move it around) and then sent me on my way.
I was expecting to feel faint, which I didn't.. but then came the steps... no faintness but OHMYGOD- just the little extra *bounce* going to the stairs hurt like hell! From then on.. from the next hour or so.. OWCH is about all I can say. I also found out on the way home from Kaleidoscope, that seatbelts aren't exactly the newly-pierced nipples best friends.. it was in the exact wrong place- running right across my increasingly pained nipple! So I slid it under my left arm, which probably wasn't very safe, but it felt a whole lot better.
I freaked out at about the hour mark, too.. because the ring had started sticking straight out, which somehow didn't seem quite right. I called Kaleidoscope and talked with someone (who wasn't the piercer) and was told to come back in, because they thought it was kind of odd. So I grabbed a friend of mine and went back to the shop and Ryan told me to chill out, as it healed it would lay down better... that it wasn't entirely uncommon for that to happen, but if it did, it was usually with guys. He said as my body got used to the extra adornment the tissue would soften back up some and it would hang correctly.. now I'm just hoping he's right.
All in all, it wasn't too bad. It's been about three hours now, and I'm not in incredible pain... but I wouldn't really say I was feeling euphoric either.. but, I do like it (when I can get it to lay down right) and I'm proud of myself for having the guts to do it.. and just going for it, without analyzing myself crazy over it! I talk myself out of too many things... but didn't this time. I love that no one will ever expect this from me- just like they haven't any of the other things- the tats or navel ring... but you know... it is the quiet ones you have to watch out for!