I got this done the same day I had a tongue piercing, by the same piercer. This was my second nipple piercing, done 3 months after my first because I decided I wanted to be symmetrical ... either that or my ex girlfriend thought two were better than one. I forget.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact lessthan3@hotmail.co.uk When A week ago Artist Lou Studio Holier Than You Location Manchester, England I went to a reputable place, which had relocated, causing some minor problems in my travel arrangements and a considerably longer walking distance than I'd planned for, which meant that I didn't get anything to eat beforehand.
I entered the studio and the usual procedure was acted out. I was asked to fill out the manditory forms, politics over I chatted with the receptionist about school and life in general. I had to lie and make out that I was a student at St Andrews university because I hadn't asked about their age restrictions. Here in England there are no laws on body piercing. Each studio has a different policy and I had yet to come across a place that demanded no under 18's were pierced. ( Cold Steel is the only one I've heard of who follow that policy) Either way, it wouldn't have mattered, I look older than I am and I was less than a year from being 18.
Lou (le Piercer) came out and greeted me and beckoned me into her studio, a simple, well lit, clean, albeit small room. I sat down on the bed, took my shirt off, she washed her hands, took out all her equipment in front of me, cleaned my nipple with a antiseptic wipe, marked the entry and exit points, (without consulting me, but it's PERFECT) made a comment about the PTFE bar in my other nipple and did the piercing. It didn't really hurt, a split second's sharp sting, but after that it was fine and didn't hurt at all. She pushed a BCR through it and popped the ball on, giving me reassurance and kind words every 4 seconds.
The last nipple piercing I'd had had been done with anaesthetic, I had no problems with healing whatsoever so it didn't bother me. Lou didn't offer anaesthetic and I wasn't overly bothered by that either. She told me it was more of a psychological thing and I agree, it hurt all the same.
My first nipple piercing was done with a bar but this one was done with a BCR ... I think they look less attractive than bars so I changed it after I'd gotten home. After taking off the gauze, I found a fair amount of dried blood around the piercing, which hasn't happened in my last one. The bleeding didn't occur again.
After that I (tried to) clean (ed) my piercing morning and night with a solution that my last piercer had given me. It's a blend of Calendula, Hypericum herbs and Isopropyl alcohol. I dilute it, 8 drops to 1/3 eggcupful of boiled water. Let it cool down to lukewarm condition, usually you just keep it in the eggcup, but I actually make mine in a Colgate toothpaste cap, you know those tubes that stand up? I pop it over my nipple for about 3 minutes, swishing it around every so often (listen to your favourite CD, after one song, you're ready to take it off) After removing the cup, I get a Q-Tip and poke around the two wounds and then use the other end to dry off the whole area.
During the initial healing period for a nipple piercing I change my bedsheets every 2 days and nightshirt every night. Some people find it easier not to wear a shirt full stop. Most women don't wear bras for about a week or so. The area's extremely sensitive for about 2 -3 weeks and bras irritate it. For me that was no problem, I hardly ever wear bras.
A piece of information for anyone with an inverted or flat nipple. My right nipple was slightly inverted, more flat. When I went to get it pierced I was a little skeptic on whether it was even possible. The piercer (Malcom) told me that he actually frequently received customers who'd been recommended by GPs to get their inverted nipples pierced. The theory is that once pierced, a nipple will stay erect for a few days, the bar will prevent the nipple from retracting back in and once the new tissue is formed and the piercing is fully healed, the jewellery can be taken out and the nipple will not return to its inverted state.
I don't know if (scientifically) it's true, but my nipple hasn't been trying to pull itself in since it stopped being constantly erect.
It's a very easy piercing to look after, neither of mine have given me any problems so far. My right hurt a little more after the piercing than my left did, maybe a result of anaethsetic? I have no idea but it wasn't a great amount of pain. I took ibruprofen after getting them done and there didn't seem to be any swelling at all. If it aches, put something cold on it to ease the pain. It usually stops aching after the first day.