Well I had no intentions of having anything pierced and the idea had not really entered my head before, but then one day in the gym (The Arches Gym in Greenwich - a great gym- a little plug there!!) I saw a girl with a pierced nipple, this was in the shower, she wasn't working out in the nude!! Anyway I thought "Wow" that it looked really cute, she had a barbell in it, and it was gold, I asked her if she minded if I ask her a few questions about it (the English I very reserved and asking perfect strangers questions about their nipples isn't really de rigeur!!!!!!) Anyway she told me it hadn't hurt that much and it had healed quite quickly and by this point the idea was already brewing in my mind, so I asked her where she had had it done and she said right here in Greenwich at "Shiva Piercings" I asked about the piercer and she said he was really nice and his name and that she had felt comfortable.
At A Glance Author smittenkitten When Six months ago Artist Paul Studio Shiva Piercings Location London, Greenwich UK I decided to investigate! I went along to Shiva Piercings in Greenwich Church Street SWEATING (with nerves) likeit was 33 degrees celsius or something and I asked some questions of the shop helper who is called Debbie and she was pretty nice and helpful and willing to talk, however Paul the piercer wasn't there that day, and another less experienced (but female)piercer was. I ummed and aaahed and decided to come back the next day when Paul was there, mainly because Debbie seemed to be suggesting that he was better and also because the girl in the gym had been pierced by him and seemed very pleased with the service he gave her.
I arrived again the next day once again sweating so much, from stress & nerves I think!! I was actually going to the gym afterwards but he asked if I had just been there! Anyway first of all he asked me to show him the breast and then get an idea of where I wanted to the barbell, which I did he was totally matter of fact and I didn't feel particularly embarrassed at all by this.
We then went downstairs to chose the jewellery and I opted for an aztec gold titanium bar, 16mm long I think (although this later proved to be too short so I had to go back and have it changed up to 18mm which Paul did free of charge).
Anyway back upstairs in the "Piercing Studio" I took off my top and lay on the doctors bed type thing and he instructed me in breathing, and sprayed some very cold stuff on it (can't remember the name but it felt GREAT!!!!) He then clamped the nipple - which didn't hurt in the least and then he shoved a needle through it!! which didn't hurt as much as I thought it would, I didn't yell or anything like that.
He then dressed it with a huge bandage (not very sexy to look at !!)
I was given instructions on how to care for it, I also bought their aftercare pack which in retrospect I think was not neccessary and was overpriced, it contained saline solution, zinc tablets, dressings and cotton buds also some iodine type paint (which I have never used)The pack was £8.50.
I was really excited to have done this and wanted to go and tell everyone however I went off to the gym and did my workout and noone knew.
About a month later I was struck by a HUGE COMPULSION to go and have the other one done, which I did (In my lunch hour at work - my colleagues thought I was crazy!!!)By this time I had found BME and was then urged on to have a vertical clitoral Hood - which I did but that one took LOTS of meticulous research and I went elsewhere for that.
In conclusion Shiva Piercings was fine, a little overpriced, they don't do any genital piercings either. I did not see any autoclave or anything of that nature. I have had problems with the first piercing I had done there, but have very few with the second even though it's a whole month younger. If you are in Greenwich check 'em out.
After the piercing I have to say there was vwery little pain although sometimes some discomfort, I have very large breasts (Bra Size 36 FF)
and they place quite a lot of pressure on the piercings when they aren't supported in a bra, so I would forget about the try not to wear a bra advice if you have a large chest, and just take it off whn you lie down. Now that I have had the piercings 4 and 5 months I have no problems going around braless (well only the usual ones that all large breasted women have!!)
My nipples are really super sensitive now, they are really easy to get aroused, whereas they didn't use to be, just runningfinger over them through clothes can get me turned on now! All in all a very good experience, and something I totally do not regret.