I have gotten pierced too many times to count, generally in pretty standard places on my body. I had the nose, navel and tons in the ears, when I decided it was time to go a little more hardcore. I wanted something hidden but noticeable to me, basically, that's how all my tattoos are as well. So the obvious choice? I decided to get my nipple pierced.
At A Glance Author chilenita Contact chilenita@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Robert and ?? Studio Crossroads Tattoo and Chicago Tattooing Company Location Coralville, IA and Chicago, IL I began by seeing my very trusted and amazing tattoo artist, Steve, at Crossroads Tattoo to see who he recommended in the area. He actually was very happy with the work the piercer in his studio had done, (as was his wife who has her nipples done as well), and after checking the piercer's background and portfolio I felt pretty prepared. I had read all these horror stories about losing all sensation but I really didn't have much of any of that to start with so I figured it was no loss if it happened. So I made my appointment, bribed a friend to come with me, and started to psych myself up.
The day finally came and I drove over there, not exactly freaking out, but not my normal calm self. I kept telling myself it would be the same as a tattoo, it'll stop hurting once the needle is out...but that didn't calm my fears about the pain while it was going in! So Robert, the piercer brings me in to the room and nicely allows my friend in with me. He and I had chatted many times while I had waited for my tattoo artist, or just in general hanging around the shop, so I was pretty comfortable to start with. But he was super friendly, chatty, made me feel very at home which calmed me down a lot.
He started by having me pick out the size barbell I would want and proceeded to measure my actual nipple size to get the correct gauge and length. He even went the extra mile and mixed and matched to get the sizes to look right with what I had pictured in my head. Being an average woman my breasts are two different sizes, so that was another concern, if I wanted to do the other one at some point we needed to make sure that they would look even and the same size. So we picked out the perfect fit one for each and he held the second one aside just in case I decided to do the second one as well. That's another reason I love Crossroads, they're so much more than an in and out tat/piercing place. Customer service in a business like that is so key, and it really makes or breaks the experience I think. So we measured me a few times, marking and remarking the spots until both he and I were satisfied and then it was time to clean up and get down to business. Probably the most uncomfortable part of the experience was the silly feeling I had standing half naked in front of a guy who's holding a ruler to my nipples, but I figure, he's done this a lot, (and a lot worse, I'm sure).
So then it was time, he offered me the option of sitting or lying down and I chose to lie down. I honestly don't remember too much of the details other than the creepy clamp he put on my nipple and then his direction to count one two three and then take a deep breath. Then during my breath he just slid the needle in smooth as can be. I didn't scream or cry or anything but my leg definitely did jump about a mile in the air, good thing I was lying down or I would have taken out Robert with that kick! Then it didn't really hurt, it was sort of throbbing and hot, but nowhere near the initial pain. He slid out the needle and put in the barbell and that was that!
I stood up, not dizzy at all, and Robert gave me extremely detailed care instructions, including a bag of salt, bottle of cleanser, and some Dixie cups in this great aftercare package. After everyone at the shop made sure I was ok, (they are super friendly there), I headed home. After about a week of taking great care of it and loving it I decided I felt too asymmetrical so I went in for the other one. Same thing, still had the leg jump, but again, a great experience. Sadly I had to take them out for an MRI and they both closed, but I loved them so much, and don't mind the pain apparently, so I went to a place in Chicago and had them redone. Robert was much more personable so I really recommend him, but the guy at Chicago Tattooing was very professional and seemed nice. He just didn't give the one on one, personal feel to it that Robert did. And they didn't offer any sort of aftercare package, just told me where to buy the stuff and told me what to do instead of having a pamphlet like Crossroads. That's another thing that made it a less nice experience, but again, customer service...Chicago Tattooing is a good place but they get so many walk-ins that you almost get a corporate feel, whereas at Crossroads it's the mom and pop business feel. But either way, both did a great job and I love my new piercings. They've healed nicely and they actually make me more sensitive than before so that was a nice unexpected bonus. I definitely recommend the procedure and I promise, it only hurts for a quick second. :)