For several months now, I've contemplated getting something pierced. For a while, I wasn't sure about it, but after I found BME especially (and got my first tattoo), piercing really started to intrigue me. I decided on my nipples, for both the sexual component and I also figured that if I could handle piercing my nips (rumored to hurt more than a PA, according to one QOD here on BME), I could take anything after that. With my roommate, I went to every piercing shop in the entertainment district (basically, where I could go), and from recommendations on BME and the atmosphere of the shop (cleanliness, friendliness of the counter people, selection of jewelry), I chose Forbidden Fruit.
At A Glance Author Elisabeth Contact Elisabeth@bme.anon IAM Lullay When It just happened Artist John Studio Forbidden Fruit Location Austin, TX Two days ago (3/11/02), we went to Forbidden Fruit around 8 and spoke with JJ, one of Forbidden Fruit's piercers. My roommate was with me, and had decided to get her navel done, and my best friend came as well for moral support. I was thinking of getting them done at 10ga straight off simply so there'd be less of a chance of them rejecting or migrating out, but Forbidden Fruit only had one 10ga SS barbell (5/8") fit for piercing. They did, however, have two 12ga barbells, so I decided to go with that. Nipple piercing is $35 at Forbidden Fruit, and if you get both at once, the second is $20. Plus jewelery ($30 for the two barbells, plus another $30 for the balls to fit the posts) and tax, it came out to $119.95. I flinched inwardly at the price of course, but I reminded myself that I'm paying for quality. Forbidden Fruit has a stellar reputation, and I'd heard many good things about John, the man that would be doing my piercing.
We paid, and JJ got our jewelry together. He copied IDs; we signed consent forms, and went back to the piercing room. I asked John if it would be alright if my best friend came in to the room with us, and he Okayed it. Whew! One hurdle past. My roommate and best friend decided that I'd go first, so I couldn't chicken out (knowing me, I probably would have had I ever seen the needle). John talked to us about all sorts of things (I assume to calm me in particular down. I was rather nervous at this point), including what he did before piercing (Psychology; his MA is on the wall of his piercing room), asking us why we'd decided to do what we were, what our majors are, and other mundane things while he set up all the necessary tools. Once again, everything was impeccably clean, and John was comfortingly professional. He asked me to strip to the waist, and though I am normally very self-conscious, he made me very comfortable. I stood in front of him, relaxed, and he scrutinized my nipples for the perfect placement, then marked them with a toothpick dipped in a small dab of gentian violet (poured in a plastic container that would be thrown away after this use). I sat.
At this point, I was sitting half-naked on the piercing table, chatting away with my best friend, my roommate, and John. Definitely not something that happens every day in my life. My brain was doing me the favor of suspending "rational" thought... for now. I lie back, and John goes through the procedure with me. Inhale, exhale, inhale, and he pierces on the second exhale. Clamps are applied and held shut with a (new) rubber band. To me, this was more of a slight pressure. John again goes through the procedure, and says that it will feel like "being bitten. Hard. If you like this feeling, tense up. If not, just try to relax." I tell him that I'm ready, and again. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exha—FUCK. THAT HURT. I only thought I grimaced, but according to the other people in the room, I -jumped-. Not surprising. The biting estimate was right on target... just a bit harder than I had ever been bitten before. John switched the needle for the 12ga barbell, and screwed on the balls. I a sked for a few minutes to recoup my thoughts, but decided to go ahead with the second one. If I chickened out, there'd be no way I could live this down.
So we all chatted some more. John has an excellent bedside manner. Beyond excellent, in fact. He's awesome. Anyways, a few minutes later, he asked if I was ready. I said yes. We went through the procedure again, and on went the clamps. Inhale, exha—SHIT!!! John gives me a smile and says that if he'd done it on the second exhale, I'd have had that much more time to tense up. True, though I don't want to admit it. He puts the other barbell through quickly and screws the balls on. I heard later that during that one, I groaned. I don't doubt it. That was intense. I sit up some minutes later after he cleans off the fresh piercings, and move to put on my bra and t-shirt. He also said that not wearing a bra for the next few days would likely be extremely uncomfortable, as my nipples adjusted to the barbells and nerve endings healed somewhat. Lord, was he right.
My roommate got her navel pierced, and my best friend eyed the pictures on the walls... even contemplating (albeit briefly) the picture of a corset piercing done by John. Before I knew it, we were all done. I sat down as he explained aftercare. Dial (or Satin), sea salt soaks, don't touch it, leave it the hell alone, and DON'T TOUCH THEM. They would start to lymph within the next 7-21 days, and approximate healing time with my barbells would be 2-3 months. Soon enough, it was time to leave, but I was feeling a bit faint and so lay down for a few moments. John was kind enough to get me some water and a cool, wet paper towel for my forehead as I laid there. It took about 5 minutes or so for the shock and dizziness to wear off, and we thanked him and walked back to my best friend's car. I remembered after we got back to my dorm room that I hadn't tipped him, and was particularly remorseful, simply because he had been so great with all of us. Next time, my tip will be twice as lar ge. John was absolutely amazing.
On the way home, I felt every bump in the road, and probably some that weren't there, either. That night, I rinsed them in the shower, but didn't get a chance to wash them, as we had no soap or sea salt suitable for cleaning. I slept in a sports bra, and was able to sleep on my stomach because of the support the bra provided with no discomfort, bleeding, or lymphing overnight. The next day, my roommate and I went to Central Market and picked up some antibacterial soap (approximately $7) and sea salt ($.51/lb). Upon returning home, I found that shot glasses were the perfect size for sea salt soaks, and spent the greater part of half an hour soaking my babies. A rinse followed, and all was well.
That night, we went to one of the SXSW concerts with Puddle of Mudd, 30 Seconds to Mars, and another band whose name I didn't catch. Despite my being on the edge of a mosh pit, my babies stayed happy and alive because I protected my chest rabidly (anyone within 6 inches of my nipples got an elbow in the closest body part). I slept in the sports bra again, and with the minor interruption of the fire alarm going off for 2 hours straight at 9am this morning (ugh), everything was just peachy.
Last night, they bled a little, but nothing that wasn't solved with a nice, warm sea salt soak and washing with the antibacterial soap. My breasts no longer hurt, and though my nipples are more sensitive than before, it's in a good way. The gentian violet has also worn off, and all seems peachy. I would definitely recommend this piercing to anyone who is contemplating it. If you can handle the pain (which I found to be considerable), I think this will be one of those mods that will provide endless fun once they're healed. I love my newly pierced nips, and will probably flash for beads next Mardi Gras because of them :).
To put the pain in something of a perspective, I have two tattoos. Neither of those were near as painful as this. I also ran out of Vicoden after I had my wisdom teeth removed (two upper, one lower), and that night was about as painful as this piercing. My ears were nothing.