Before I begin my tale, it comes to my attention that a serious disclaimer is necessary. The contents of this experience were meant to be just that-an experience, one that people who are seriously considering this procedure may use as a reference. I did write this story to encourage underage teen rebellion in such an unsafe manner. Do as I speak, not as I do. No fun piece of jewelry is worth putting your health in such serious jeopardy. A few years is not a long time to wait. What my friends and I have done was highly illegal, unsafe, and above all, STUPID.
At A Glance Author Aedrea Contact aid85@optonline.net When Three months ago Location Manhatten, NY That said, I come from a very strict household-no more than one hole in the ear, etc. Of course, being a typical rebellious teen, I wanted to get a new piercing anyway. I'm addicted to changes in my body regularly. Something that preferably would not be found... I decided to have my nipple pierced. A guy I knew had his done, and they looked great. I spent awhile researching this; talked to people, read experiences on this site, looked at the pretty pictures. I heard everything. One guy passed out on the way home after having his pierced. One complained about the pain. I read up on aftercare, everywhere I could find information. Always do this, with any type of body modification, as incorrect care may result in you losing the piercing, or worse.
Although I planned to go with only a guy I knew that had his done, somehow it turned into a crowd event. We went into Manhattan. Meanwhile, I spent the entire day freaking out... I do not like pain. It took much deep breaths and yelling at myself to get it done. We walked into the first piercing/tattoo place. Two of my friends walked in; one had her nipple done. She walked out grinning, and showed us the new circular barbell, and told us that it didn't really hurt. The next got his tongue done. Then it was my turn.
First of all, I do not advocate "chop shops," somewhere where you end up when you are both poor and underage; I would much rather have gone to a parlor where the chair I sat in was 'not' all ripped up, and where he did not have to leave the building to get change for a ten. Additionally, the man who performed a nipple piercing on my friend touched her just a little too much. Later when we visited a more legitimate piercing establishment, the owner yelled at us for going to a chop shop, told us that we might get aids, herpes, etc., and refused to give us any advice. Something we deserved.
Anyway, I told the guy what I wanted done, and he told me to sit down. First he cleaned my nipple, then marked it with a felt-tipped pen. He asked me to check it out, and decide if that was a good spot. He took a needle from a new package, so at least I knew that the needle was sterile. This entire time, I just sat there in the chair, freaking out... I came so close to running from the room. I'm not too sure what happened next, frightened me closed my eyes. But from what I felt, he put on a clamp, then pushed the needle through. The needle was 16 gauge. Much to my paranoid surprise, it barely hurt! I mean, yes, there was pain, but I'm thinking that's expected when one pushes a needle through one's body. It was almost like being pinched; then he put the circular barbell, my choice, through the hole, and dropped one of the beads. Luckily, he picked out a new one and put it on. After that, he rubbed some kind of ointment on, and put a band-aid over it. It cost me thi rty-five dollars.
Of course, when I walked outside, I had to show everyone... from my friends to the random people in the waiting room...one of whom thanked me for the free show. Oops... Anyway, it was a little sore, but I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of that day. We made a party out of it; three people had our left nipple pierced, one, his tongue, and my friend Jess had her labret pierced.
As far as aftercare goes, I began by washing it twice a day with antibacterial soap (non-perfumed), and Bactine, which helped ease the pain a bit. I believe Bactine has an anesthetic in it. Sea salt soaks are useful as well. So far, my piercing has been in good condition, and hasn't migrated. When I reach the legal age, I plan to go to a more reputable piercing establishment, explain the situation, and, if need be, take out the old ring and have it repierced correctly.
I haven't regretted it since; it looks great, and feels even better ;). In my humble opinion, my piercing, and to refute all who think that piercings are a "trend," or stupid, I find mine both aesthetically and physically pleasing.
I am definitely going to get my right nipple pierced. It's been almost three months since I went under the needle. According to the professionals that I spoke too, I'm going to have to wait at least another three months before I start changing jewelry. I can't wait; I plan to stretch it to 14 gauge, then perhaps 12. I found out later that 16 gauge is too small for my type of piercing. I believe one piercer used the "string cutting through clay" analogy. Well, that's what happens when you go to untrained people, I guess. There's such great jewelry to choose from. If you've been thinking about this seriously, and are both old enough and responsible enough to take care of your wound, as that is what this is, I recommend it. Overall, my piercing was an amazing experience for me.