When my boyfriend and I broke up, the first advice I received was to spoil myself. To do something that I had never done before because of money or because I had a boyfriend or for whatever other reason. Something just for me.
At A Glance Author kristen Contact kristen@bme.anon When It just happened Artist D. Studio What's the Point Location Tallahassee, Fl This advice came from my mom, so I'm sure she didn't mean for me to go out and get my nipples pierced.
But it fit exactly in that that "just for me" category and within days of the breakup, I found myself (along with my best friend) at the piercing studio, signing forms and checking out jewelry.
The whole experience was very new to me, as I'm sure you can imagine. I'd never been pierced. Tattooed, yes. But that's another story. I went in with 12 gauge captive bead rings in mind, but when they were showed to me, I was a bit intimidated and decided to go with a couple 14's instead. Even those are a bit scary when you think of them going through your nipples...
Honestly, I almost chickened out. Even though I'd wanted to get my nips pierced for a while, the closer I got to actually doing it, the more nervous I was. My palms were sweaty and my hands were shaky.
It was time to get pierced.
D (the guy with the lance!) had me take off my shirt and stand straight up, looking straight forward. This isn't as easy as it sounds when a stranger is cleaning your nipples and marking them with a pen. He had to remind me several times to keep looking forward.
After what seemed like forever, he told me to sit down in a chair and got out the clamps, lance, and jewelry. There was no turning back now.
As he put the clamps on one nipple, I decided not to watch. I stared straight forward and started to count, focusing on the stickers on the walls and the music playing on the stereo. It really didn't help that much once things got started, but it was a slight comfort.
"Here comes the lance..."
For about two seconds, I was in some of the most intense pain I'd ever been in in my entire life. I knew it was going to hurt, but not this much.
"Here comes the jewelry..."
Nipple number one was over with in a matter of seconds (painful seconds...but it was pretty quick). Now onto nipple number two.
"Here comes the lance again..."
I thought I was going to be sick when he put the lance through the second one. I was glad I'd eaten a sandwich before I came. I felt my stomach lurch and prayed that I wouldn't throw up all over D.
Of course, while I was concentrating on the feeling in my stomach, D was busy with my other nipple, and it was over in a matter of seconds, but those seconds were absolutely grueling.
But it was all over and my nipples were pierced *and* I didn't throw up!
Of course, I couldn't get out that easily. I started to feel dizzy. I guess it showed because D asked me if I wanted some water or something. I said yes and he reclined the chair for me and ran off for a moment, returning with a bottle of water. The dizziness only lasted a couple seconds, but it was scary. I was relieved when D told me that feeling like that really wasn't uncommon.
When I sat back up, he handed me a mirror, exclaiming "Your new best friends!" They were so cute! (And still are, of course!) I couldn't believe I'd actually gone through with it! My new best friends indeed...
I think just about everyone I came in contact with over the next hour or so knew that I had pierced nipples. I couldn't keep my mouth shut about it! I know I'm eventually going to get in trouble from trying to show them off to everyone.
And to think I was once somewhat modest about showing my breasts...
Overall, it was a great experience, despite the pain and almost passing out. My best advice to anyone going to get their nipples pierced is just to relax as best as you can. It's going to hurt. A lot. While it's being done, find something in the room (a clock or something) to focus on that *isn't* your nipples. The pain is about on par with getting a tattoo, because though it's way more focused and intense, it only lasts for a couple seconds.
So far, I haven't had any problems with the crusties (it's only been a couple days, though), bleeding, or discharge. I learned from a friend's mistakes and am being *very* good about salt soaks. I guess my only problem now is figuring out what to say when my mom asks me what I did for myself...