..I got my nipples pierced.
At A Glance Author Emily Contact EmilyAnne83@netscape.net IAM emilyanne83 When It just happened Artist Rob Studio Steel Addictions Location Toledo, Ohio It honestly was not something I had thought about prior to this past week. It wasn't that I definitely didn't want pierced nipples, it was just that I was planning on keeping my mods to the ears for awhile (I got my tongue pierced and two tattoos in a three week period, figured maybe i should slow down for a bit).
But all of a sudden getting my nipples done seemed like it would be a cool thing to do. I only know a few people with them done (including one close friend) and so I figured it would be a bit more different, a bit more daring. But I wanted vertical piercings instead of the traditional horizontal ones pierced with 14g CBR's - that is how I have mostly seen them done.
So late last night I went to Steel Addictions where I have had all of my other piercings done. Rob was the piercer in, and I was pleased about that because he has done all of my other piercings too. I went through the aftercare instructions and chatted for a bit with the guy working the desk while Rob pierced a girl's tongue (after we all convinced her it would not hurt a lot), sterilized some fresh barbells for my nipples, and changed the barbells on a another guy's nipples.
I was a little more nervous about this one than previous piercings - although not as nervous as for my first tattoo! - just because I heard this was one of the more painful piercings that is done. But there was no way that I was going to chicken out, I definitely wanted to have this done.
When Rob finished with what he was doing, he called me back and we talked for a few minutes while he was getting things ready. We figured out that it would be easiest for him if I laid down while he was doing the actual piercing, since I was getting mine done vertically. I felt no discomfort at all having my tank top pulled all the way down around my waist, which was good.
He cleaned my nipples just to make sure everything was set and ready and then got out his Sharpy and carefully marked the entrance and exit places for the needle. He had me turn around and check them out in the mirror to make sure they looked good and even to me. Perfect as always. :)
I lay down on the table (bed? whatever...) and he put the clamp on and began lining everything up on my right nipple first. The clamp was slightly uncomfortable, but certainly not painful. He coached me in a bit of breathing and as I let my breath out, in went the needle. I'll admit, it wasn't pleasant feeling, but it didn't really hurt either. He put the jewelry on that and tightened the ends of the barbell before moving over to my left side.
Again, Rob put the clamp on and lined everything up so it would be easy to do. On my exhale, the needle went through my flesh. People are right when they say the second one hurts more, but I think that is just because you are really pumped up for the first one. Still, it wasn't painful, just slightly more uncomfortable. In went the jewelry and the barbell was tightened.
I bled only slightly as would be natural with any piercing. I have heard stories including more blood, but with this I didn't have any that was noticeable, just a little dot that Rob cleaned away immediately. I would not even have known there was blood it was so little!
I sat up and looked in the mirror to admire my newest mods. They look fabulous! When I woke up this morning I forgot they were there until I was getting dressed for class this morning. It made me smile to remember. I cleaned them carefully with liquid dial (antibacterial) and chose to wear a tank top with a shelf bra, rather than a regular bra (I think during healing these tanks will be great). This morning they are not hurting at all. There are times when I feel a bit of discomfort, but not noticeable too much. I am not worried about it because it hurts so little now and if I take care of them (don't let them get infected) it can only get better from here. I can't wait to begin to experience the new sensations that some people talk about due to having something extra sensitive as part of their nipple.
To anyone in the Toledo area, Steel Addictions is an excellent place to go for clean, safe piercings with a knowledgeable staff. To anyone considering a nipple piercing (any kind, not just vertical), I highly recommend it. I love my new piercings.