The day after I got my first nipple piercing (which you can read about here...it's called Shiny Happy Nipple), I realized that I didn't want just one pierced anymore. I've always had this thing for symmetry and balance, and having only my right nipple pierced bothered me. So, three days later, I headed back down to Georgetown to have a needle poked through my left nipple as well.
At A Glance Author Kristin Contact kmak427@yahoo.com IAM kmak427 When Three months ago Artist Sean Studio Jinx Proof Location Washington DC It was the day after Thanksgiving, so it was what is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year; thus, the streets were packed with people, and it was also a little chilly out. Not the best conditions for a fresh nipple piercing, but I had the money and the time and I was determined to make this happen. My best friend Jacque had come down to visit me for the break, and she intended to get her nostril pierced. We both stepped up to the counter and informed the guy that we wanted pierced. He showed us our jewelry options, then handed us the forms to fill out while he took out money and ID's. I have to make a confession here...on the question that asked whether you had eaten in the past 4 hours, I lied. It was late morning (not lunchtime yet) and I never eat breakfast. I rarely even eat before noon or one. DO NOT follow my example, people! They ask the question for a reason. I was fine, but you may not be. There is a definite risk of passing out if you haven't eaten.
Anyway, back to the story...since Jinx Proof lets you take one person into the room with you, Jacque and I headed back together. I hadn't realized that the guy piercer, Sean, works on Fridays, but I didn't really have a problem showing him my boobs. He had no interest other than a professional one in them, and I'm not that modest, so it all worked out. Jacque went first and got a little diamond stud in her nostril. Then it was my turn.
I knew what to expect from my first experience, so it was a lot less scary. I took off my shirt and bra (both Sean and my first piercer, Andrea, told me I could just pull it down if I felt more comfortable that way, but like I said, it didn't bother me) and laid back on the table, which Sean had cleaned after Jacque got up. He changed his gloves several times during the procedure, so I felt confident that he wasn't causing cross-contamination. He marked my nipple and I checked the placement in the big mirror on the wall. It looked good, so I laid back down and took a deep breath, Jacque clutching my hand and looking even more nervous than I was.
I asked him if the left nipple usually hurt more than the right one, and he replied that some people thought so because it was closer to their heart. That sounded kind of weird to me, but I soon forgot about it as he approached me with the needle. I squeezed my eyes shut, breathed deeply, and...felt a pinch, a sharp stinging sensation as he inserted the CBR, and it was over! Truthfully, the whole thing was more traumatic and painful for Jacque to watch than it was for me to experience. It did hurt more than my right nipple, but it still wasn't that painful. I thanked Sean, but I was so overjoyed that I forgot to tip him (which I made up for later by tipping him more when he pierced my nose, so it's all good). He explained the aftercare, handed me a sheet of instructions and his card, and we were on our way.
For me, the first few days after the piercing were the worst part. My nipple stung almost all the time for the first day or so, and after that it just ached for a while. Now my nipples hardly ever ache....only when I'm sick or under a lot of stress. I like to sleep on my stomach but I was afraid to for at least a week, and putting my bra on became more difficult than before, because I didn't want to hit my nipples. My roommate found this all very amusing, and when I did sea salt soaks at night she almost fell off her chair laughing at the sight of me with shot glasses pressed to my breasts. I found that, at least for me, wearing a bra made my nipples feel a lot better (and still does), due to the size of my breasts. Going braless produces a little TOO much sensation, if you know what I mean. Also, it tends to provide that lovely "I have four nipples" effect.
It's been almost four months now since I had my nipples pierced, and they seem to be healing fairly well. The left one is definitely more cranky than the right one, however. Yesterday, a big chunk of dead skin fell off the side when I was in the shower, so once I get back to school I am going to have Sean or Andrea look at it. I've been under a LOT of stress lately and I just got over the flu, though, so that may be why they are acting up. The aftercare is pretty simple. I wash them once a day with Dial, when I'm in the shower, and I do sea salt soaks as well. I did them once a day for the first six weeks or so, but I do them a bit less often now.
I worry about migration a lot, since I have large breasts, so as soon as I think they're healed enough I want to change to barbells. Also, since I play hockey and I fence, barbells would be a lot more convenient. CBR's are definitely a lot easier to clean and take care of, though; that's why I chose them for the initial jewelry. One thing I've found to be helpful is if you play contact sports, consider covering your nipple piercings with Bandaids before you play. This protects them, but it also kind of smothers them, so don't leave them on for longer than you have to, and rinse your nipples off really well when you're done.
A final word of advice: if you're considering getting your nipples pierced, DO IT! It's so worth it, even if it turns out to be more painful than it was for me. They look beautiful, and feel even better :) Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and happy piercing!