I have always been interested in body piercing, but only being 17 and still living with my parents presents a problem. My parents both dislike and do not approve of piercings. After getting my smiley pierced, my navel and gauging both ears to 0 gauges, I was craving something else. I needed something i could keep from my parents, but still something fun. I decided on getting my nipple pierced.
At A Glance Author Ashimo Contact Ashimo@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Juliette Studio One body piercing Location Ottawa, Canada
Generally when I decide on something its final and I don't give up until I get what I want. I had already looked into nipple piercing with a friend when she had gotten hers done before so I basically knew what to expect from it. Seeing as how it was around Christmas, I knew I would have extra money in no time from relatives and such, and it would fund my piercing perfectly.
After Christmas and New Year's (Jan. 3rd) I was downtown with a few friends of mine shopping. We were walking through the street and we passed body jewellery store, and I knew that I had to get it done that day. I announced my decision to them right away, and they all looked a little shocked and confused cause I had not told them about it before that moment. None of them believed I would go through with it, but next thing I knew, I was walking into One, where I had gotten my navel pierced a few months before, and I was extremely happy with it. Juliette, the owner and the main piercer, is an amazing piercer. Her studio is super clean and comfortable, and she is incredibly friendly, informative, and helpful. I walked in and asked her if she'd be able to do it. She said of course, and immediately started getting set up for me.
She gave me a release form to fill out, and checked my id to make sure I was at least 16 (although i was 17 at the time). After the paperwork was settled she gave me a tray of beads to choose from for the CBR she was to use. I decided to go with a ring over a barbell, just because I preferred the look, however she assured me if my ring did not heal all that well, I could always come back and she would switch it to a barbell. I decided on a small Haematite bead.
Juliette then brought me into the back to start the piercing. One of my friends came with me, just because I was nervous, and at this time I was expecting a lot of pain. She went over all aftercare, and told me everything she would be doing and explained the procedure fully. She washed up put on new gloves, and removed all the clamps the needle and the ring from their packages.
She then got me to take off my top, which was really hard for me at first, just because I was a little uncomfortable, due to the fact I'm not used to just taking off my top in front of people, and she cleaned my nipple. My friend was standing to the side facing the other way. As much as she wanted to support me, she had absolutely no interest in watching. She then got me to stand up straight and she marked the entrance and exit holes on my nipple. She took a few attempts at marking it, and looked at it from all angles just to make sure it was a perfect placement. She then got me to lay down on the bench, and proceeded to clamp my nipple. She warned me that the clamp would be the most uncomfortable part of the piercing. She wrapped an elastic around the clamp handles to keep it closed tightly on my nipple. The clamp pinched a little and felt a bit odd, but it did not cause any pain. Juliette then had me take a few practice breaths, and told me on the count of three she'd pus h the needle through. "1, 2, 3...old your breath....and let it out" when she told me it was through I almost didn't believe her. I kinda laughed and asked her if she was serious. She laughed and told me she was. I went in expecting an incredible amount of pain to come from it, and I didn't even know she had done the piercing. She had me stay laying down for a few minutes just so i could calm down, I was shaking a bit from the adrenalin.
Juliette then ran over the aftercare once again and told me which products are the best to use during the healing. I bought some Aftercare balm from her, she gave me my sheet of aftercare instructions, and I was off.
The first day with my new piercing was fine. I never would have known i even had it, however the next day it was a little sore. It did take some getting used to. It was very sensitive for about the first months, and I occasionally would hit it or snag it during the day, which would hurt quite a bit. But other then these minor issues I have had absolutely no problems. I have had my nipple ring for about 3 months now, and all is still well.
As for the aftercare, I washed my nipple with Neutrogena body wash once in the morning and when I was going to bed and after exercise (sweat). In the evening and in the morning I would use the aftercare balm on it. The aftercare balm was an all natural mix, and it only required the smallest amount so one jar will last me a long time and many piercings. I kept this routine for about the first month and then started reducing the amount of times I would wash it gradually. Now i just wash it when im in the shower.
Most people when I tell them about my nipple ring are completely shocked and wince at the thought of getting their own done, but are usually intrigued by my experience and are always full of questions about it, which I am always pleased to answer. I am planning on getting my other nipple done soon and I will definitely be returning to ONE to get it done. I felt at ease and safe in the hands of Juliette, and she made my piercing adventure a positive one.