March 21, 2003. The day I turned 18 years old.
At A Glance Author Christy Contact ChristyM030@aol.com When A week ago Artist Gabe Studio Tattoo Tech Location Dayton, OH
Ever since I was a freshman in high school I have been facinated with piercings and tattoos.
My first piercing was the typical ear lobes. Over time I kept adding holes to my lobes, concluding with 3 in each ear. At the age of 13 I had my left cartilage pierced. Yet, it wasn't enough.
At the age of 15 I finally received my first "real" piercing. October of my sophomore year I had my eyebrow pierced. Still, I wasn't satisfied. Then in December I had my left tragus pierced. Overtime I had my tongue (twice), navel (twice), right tragus, right cartilage, and a total of 3 tattoos all before the age of 17. Being under the age of 18 at the time, I had to have my mother's approval for all the piercings and tattoos I received. Which really sucked because she would never approve of me getting my nipple pierced.
I researched for weeks about nipple piercings. I read about the myths and the risks and decided what I was going to give myself for my 18th birthday. My friend Liz had her nipple pierced so I went to her for advice and comfort because I was honestly scared. She told me that it didn't hurt and she didn't have any problems with her piercing except for her unfortunate surfacing. I felt at ease and decided to get the piercing on the day of my birthday right after school let out.
2:40 pm finally arrived. I got out of school and picked Liz up from her house. I had butterflies the whole 20 minute drive to Tattoo Tech. I had never had a piercing done at Tattoo Tech, but I know of people who have and they say that Tattoo Tech is probably the best piercing/tattoo studio in the Dayton area.
Liz and I walked into Tattoo Tech. Someone was getting a tattoo by Gabe (the guy that was going to pierce me), so we waited a few minutes for him to take a break and we looked at the art on the walls and the jewelry in the glass cases. At this point, I was freaked out. I was trying to keep myself calm, but I was so nervous.
The guy getting the tattoo was finished and while he paid I filled out the little paper that asks you if you have any blood disorders like Hepititus or HIV. I got out my ID and showed Gabe and told him which nipple I wanted done. I chose my left one. I figured since I'm right handed and that the right side of my body was more dominate the left side would be less of a hassel to take care of. (I'm not sure if my philosophy worked, but hey! It sounded smart! lol)
He asked me to come back in the little room and have a seat. Liz went back with me. I pulled my boob out of my shirt and he wiped it with an alcohol pad. I layed down on the bench thing while he put a curtain up on the door so no one could see. Liz was right by my side holding my hand.
I told Gabe how nervous I was! I told him to tell me something that will make me feel more comfortable. He told me that he is (or was) a registered nurse for 7 years and that he was pretty familiar with poking holes in people. After he told me that, I felt a little better.
The time finally came. I felt a little pinch. And said "WOW! Was that it?? That was nothing!" Little did I know, that was only the clamp! Right after that little pinch I felt a sharp pain shoot through my entire breast. I almost had a heart attack!!!! I will be straight up with everyone who is considering having their nipple pierced....IT HURTS REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD!!! It has to be the most painful piercing I have ever received. I could have smacked Liz for telling me that it didn't hurt her because it about killed me.
Right after my painful experience I stood up and Gabe told me I could go look in the mirror. My pain disappeared after I seen the little silver ring in my nipple...it was SO cute!!! I LOVED it.
The pain continued for a couple of days. Even now, after 2 weeks, if I bump my boob on something it will hurt. I clean it once a day with antibacterial soap. I still get the little crusties, but I expect that for a while because it's still not healed. I absolutely LOVE showing people and I love their expressions.
If anyone out there is considering having their nipple pierced I say GO FOR IT! And if you're in the Dayton area go to Tattoo Tech and have Gabe do it for you! I'm definitely having my right one done soon, but I want to see how my left one heals first. Sorry if I bored anyone to death, but if you have any questions, feel free to email me!