For a long time, I had considered having my nipples pierced. Over the last 4 years I've discovered how body modification can put me in control of a body and a mind that I often do not feel like I am in charge of, even though I live inside them. I put off the nipple piercing due to a not-so-irrational fear of the pain involved. Plus, I had already dealt with two failed navel piercings, so I was pretty discouraged.
At A Glance Author Kate Contact Kate@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist I wish I could remember! Studio Piercology Location Columbus, Ohio It surprised me more than anyone when one day last August something in my mind said "today's the day." It is as simple as that, I was leaving work and decided to find a piercing studio. I went home and quickly (probably too quickly but I got lucky) did some research into local studios, and found that Piercology was accredited by the APP and had a good local reputation. Piercology is located in the Short North district of Columbus, Ohio. After this experience I'd recommend them to anyone and everyone who wants a safe, and friendly piercing experience. I put on a button-down shirt to make things easier and headed out.
When I arrived, the really nice guy at the counter asked what I wanted pierced. I told him I wanted my nipples done, and he asked if I would be doing one or both. I said I would start with one and do the other if I could stand the pain. He laughed and suggested that if I wanted to eventually do both, to do them simultaneously, as many people decide not to go through with the other nipple after the first one is done. I paid for both with the reassurance that if I decided just to do one I could get a refund for the other. I felt better when he told me that it does indeed hurt. Earlier in the day I spoke with someone at a different shop that claimed that not only did it not hurt, but that the piercings would be completely healed in 6-8 *weeks*. The Piercology folks gave me a time frame of 6-8 months, which seemed more likely.
I followed the piercer into the very hospital-like piercing room. I was impressed by just how shiny and clean everything looked. Instantly I was reassured by the cleanliness, the piercer's almost compulsive use of fresh pairs of gloves, and his professional yet friendly attitude. After all, I was having to bare my boobs to a total stranger! Oddly enough, it just seemed so normal. I'm not usually a shy or modest person, but this was still a big step for me. When he was ready to set me up, he asked for my final decision on one or both nipples, and I decided to just go for it and let him do both at the same time. Yeehaw!
The owner came in and got on one side, and the first guy got on the other. I asked if anyone ever screamed. They said "yes, but you won't." I guess I fooled them. When the needles went in, I yelped like a kicked dog. It was all I could do to just sit there motionless. Finally I looked down to see two beautiful needles through my nipples. At that moment I felt so powerful, like I could deal with anything. While I was enjoying the high, the guys pushed the rings through and tightened everything down. It pinched, but nothing like the initial piercing. The really surprising thing was that I didn't even bleed, at least not till a day later when I slept wrong on my chest.
On the long drive home, the adrenaline hit and I shook in my seat giggling like an idiot. I must have been some sight to the other drivers on the road. The seatbelt was cutting into my chest, but I didn't care. I called my friend Rob, who gave me my first look at a Prince Albert, and told him all about it. He was so proud. I hadn't said a word to my husband about what I had been planning to do, so when he got home he got a (thankfully) pleasant surprise. Home was 25 miles away though, so I had to put up with the seatbelt for quite a while in rush hour traffic.
Nearly 6 months later, I love my nipple rings. Along with three tattoos, they're one more adornment on a body I'm finally learning to love. I had to replace the captive bead rings with barbells due to some migration problems, but once I did that the healing was very rapid. Thanks to an undetermined career path, I can't get any visible piercings, so I have to decide what to pierce next that no one will see. I'm thinking a nice labia ring would be cool. I've gone from the big chicken who can't even get blood drawn without bawling, to spending hours contemplating what new part of my body I can put a ring through. This is going to be fun...