Ok, so here is the journal entry I wrote on P day and then I have an update. I didn't really want to submit without having some kind of advice or something to give afterwards.
At A Glance Author melida Contact melida@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist the guy with lots of facial tattoos Studio evolved Location columbus November 29, 2001
So I guess this is the part where I describe what I did.
All morning I was so nervous that I was actually nauseous. I almost changed my mind just because I didn't want to puke on the guy that was gonna do it, but the closer 2pm came, the more I got over it. As I sat on the couch going through pictures of people with pericings, tattoos, and body staples I actually asked, for the first time, "now, why am I doing this?" And I had no answer. So I thought of just walking out, but then Randall came in and I didn't wanna look like a wuss. I think I went through it just so people would see that I wasn't afraid of the pain.
They asked me a million times if I was ready for this, but I don't think you're ever ready for extreme pain and I told them to just hurry up and get it over with already. I also requested that if I passed out, to just pierce them while I was unconscious before trying to revive me, but unfortunately I was awake for the whole thing. So I took my shirt off and asked Randall to turn around, but he claimed boyfriend rights to watch.
Finally, after taking everything out of it's sterile packages and marking my nipples with a toothpick and ink, he took the needle out of its case and came close. He grabbed my nipple which, by this point, was really scared and got all hard, I suppose out of fight or flight syndrome. He brought the needle up beside me and I could feel a slight prick.
"Breathe in...Now breathe out.... Take a big deep breath in..." Randall was holding my hand. I told him not to watch my face so id have the freedom to scrunch it up, but he just looked into my eyes the whole time.
"And now let it out" and the needle was being pushed through. The pain was sharp and only got worse as it went in further.
"Now breathe in again.....And out" and it emerged from the other side. Holy...crap. With this plastic tube sticking out of my nipple he turned to get the jewelry as I realized how stupid, stupid, stupid I was.
"Breathe in. breathe out..." and he slipped the ring in.
"You're gonna have to keep breathing. Don't stop, that's bad" oh. As he prepared the other needle I looked to Randall. Id been squeezing the crap out of his hand the whole time. Neither one of us watched the actual piercing. "Ok, are you ready for the second one?" no, can I just leave please? I learned my lesson. But I just nodded cause I didn't wanna look like a wuss.
After they were both in the piercer congratulated me on taking it better than most people. I didn't make any noises, flinch, or even make any faces even though it hurt like a mofo. As soon as Randall and I got home I threw my shirt off cause "OW!" they were sore. The left one bled a bit but the right one has been a perfect angel.
So anyway, I absolutely love them, but the piercing HURT.
March 29, 2002
4 months later (it's our anniversary!!)
Well, perhaps it is because I stooped below my usual standards and by-passed my usual piercing place for this other one, but I had a few healing problems. First of all- never pick a place just because you're poor and they run a 2 for 1 special. Always go to the place that looks like a hospital. Walking to the back room of a tattoo studio is probably not where you should get pierced.
My right nipple healed VERY well and very quickly with minimal crusties. HOWEVER, my left nipple taught me a lesson in "not skipping the sea salt soak or all that nice stuff they tell you to do". I rinsed the piercings in the shower but you MUST do a twice a day cleaning ritual. Don't half-ass it like I did. I read all these articles about staph infections when I got mine done and I really freaked myself out with these ideas. After the left one continued to hurt way after the right healed and pus crusties just wouldn't stop, I went to my favorite piercing place and requested some sea salt which the other place didn't offer. (this stuff is awesome- never skip it!)
It is FINALLY healed, but if you're getting your nipples pierced, be ready to baby them. Wash your sheets, wear something to bed, don't touch them, don't get saliva on them, and wash the piercings like you're supposed to! I don't care if you have to slap your significant other away from them, you let your new babies heal and stay away from bacteria and germs. The day after the piercing I was already wearing a bra again, but allow yourself the few months of caring for them because if you wake up one day with these weird growth-like things at the openings of your piercings which ooze massive amounts of pus- well, that's gonna be your fault. Also, if your body is healing two of these wounds, take some vitamins cause that will help it go along more smoothly.
So be good to them and then you will have happy nipples, like mine. If you have any questions about aftercare or anything else about my experience, feel free to e-mail me!