At A Glance Author Kathleen IAM kaffeine When Three months ago Artist Azl Studio Black Sun Location Montreal I have this obsession with symmetry. No human is perfectly symmetrical, I know, but I feel "off" when some things aren't even, and so I have to have two of most piercings. (My ears don't match, as I did most of those piercings myself when I was a silly little teenage girl, and I only have one eyebrow piercing due to the eternal struggle with What Bosses Will Allow In The Workplace.) My other little mod-related quirk is that I'd promised myself that I'd have a piercing for each year of my life until I turned twenty (which I've mentioned in another experience I've written). I find a new piercing is a good way to start a new year, and so I try to have one done on or near my birthday; marking myself to symbolize another year of my life, what I have learned about myself, how I have changed, or just to celebrate. I was turning twenty-three and had only eighteen piercings, so I had decided to make this the y ear I had my nipples pierced.
When I started feeling good about my body (for the first time in my life, it seems), I decided that I needed to celebrate with something. The closer it got to my birthday, the more certain I became that I would have the piercing done. I had already planned to pay for my friend's tongue piercing (our birthdays are days apart, and it was to be a little outing for the two of us), so I rang up Black Sun. After many return phone calls and questions, a date and time were settled on. When the day arrived, my lover and another friend had decided to join us. As usual, we were barely on time (it doesn't seem to matter how early I leave), but to our credit, it was finding parking that kept us behind.
Preparations were made, and I decided on circular barbells for jewellery. I realized that I wanted to do it alone, so I asked my friends to wait outside. Azl, who not only is a terrific piercer, but is also a very respectful and easygoing person, told me to take my time in mentally preparing. I was starting to feel a little nervous, and so I took a "now or never" attitude about it; off came my tank top, and I plunked myself into the chair.
I had done my homework on the procedure, so I knew that most people found the second one to hurt more. I asked Azl to start with my less-sensitive side. This went very well; it hurt, but not terribly. Even Azl commented that I took it well. The second one, however... There is truth to the "second one huts more" theory, if my experience means anything. I found it felt quite different from a piercing done through regular skin; perhaps because the tissue is softer, but the needle seemed to slide though more fluidly, rather than with that slightly sickening crunch sound. It felt almost as though I were being burned rather then pierced. The initial endorphin high was something, let me tell you! I stuck my head out the door an asked "who want[ed] to see me naked". I don't think I've been topless in front of that many people at once before.
After my friends had a look, and I had decided I was quite happy with them, I put my shirt on and got my aftercare. My friend who had not originally come for a piercing decided to get her navel done, so I decided to run out for a cup of tea. The cold January air felt really good to my burning torso.
They were quite sensitive for the first week (hugging, breezes and most of my t-shirts suddenly had to be avoided), but didn't give me any real problems. I didn't start to get lymph crust until the third or fourth week, but sea salt soaks have done quite well for cleaning. My only advice to anyone considering this piercing is that wearing a bra may not be an option for several months. I thought I was fine to start wearing one again after two months, but the pressure seems to irritate them.
I now have all twenty piercings, only three years late.
I can't possibly recommend Black Sun, and Azl in particular, enough. These people not only have the cleanest and most comfortable studio I've ever seen, but they treat their customers very well and are terrific about aftercare and advice. Lord knows how many times I've phoned with questions, and I have always been answered clearly and patiently.
I'm happy I waited until I did to have this done. They're turning out beautifully and I feel great about having them. I hope this experience is helpful to anyone considering it for themselves. If you have any questions, feel free to message me on IAM.