I'd wanted to get my nipple pierced for quite some time because lets face it the fact that it looks wicked. I had done quite a lot of research, but had never actually put thought into action. Basically I'd never really had the bottle to go through with it. I'd decided I only wanted one done (the symmetry of having two done doesn't appeal to me, neither does the pain!) and it would be the left one (because it's slightly smaller, which is logical).
At A Glance Author Zoe Contact Zoe@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Too nervous to remember! Studio Artistic Tattooing Location North Wales
Originally I'd planned to go and have it done on my own so there'd be no fuss (I'd casually mentioned it to my sister and a couple of other friends and they were like "NO WAY" so I had to write them off as possible candidates), but I only made it as far as the top of the road before scampering back home again, with a feeble excuse, and feeling a bit disappointed in my wimpiness.
Next day, I brought a friend with me (who has a whole array of piercings so isn't freaked out by it in the slightest) and I promised myself I'd do it this time. I went in, looked around a bit and then hesitantly made my way over the counter and announced to the guy (I don't remember his name so let's just call him Pete for clarity) that I wanted my nipple pierced. Pete said he'd be 5 minutes, and asked me to fill in the usual forms and pay my 25 quid etc, the fact that he was so normal about it, like I'd gone in and asked for a phone charger or something mundane like that was quite reassuring.
I was lead into the back with my friend in tow, I told him I wanted a bar rather than a ring, as apparently they heal faster and are less likely to get knocked. Next I took my top off while Pete sterilised the area, marked me up, checked that it was okay and sterilised the equipment etc. I knew there was no going back now and still couldn't believe I was actually going through with it.
I hadn't really thought about the pain too much, which was probably a good thing. Naively I thought it'd be like a bit of a bad nipple cripple, how wrong I was! To be honest I was more concerned about whipping half my clothes off in front of a stranger old enough to be my dad. But actually it was fine. Pete kept the conversation light, and it did make me laugh after to think I was sitting on that black bed thing with my top off discussing what I was doing at college and what my future plans where while someone drew on my nipple.
Anyway to get on with my account, I am dragging this out like a war story, but hey, I'm proud of myself. People go on about how uncomfortable the clamp is a lot, personally I didn't really notice it. The piercing itself was bad. Bearable but bad. Let's just say the freeze stuff they put on it to numb it doesn't seem to have much of an effect. The jewelry going in was painful too, but nowhere near the pain of the initial piercing. Thankfully Pete did it so quick I didn't have time to react and it was over in no time at all. He went through the cleaning procedure with me (Savlon, salt and warm water twice a day, DON'T TOUCH IT UNLESS YOU'RE CLEANING IT and all that)and he gave me tissue to stop it catching on my bra. He also told me it's worth getting cotton bras, because they keep the area dryer and therefore the piercing heals faster.
Walking out of the studio and back to my flat was a bit unpleasant, I had to walk very slowly holding my bra strap to stop my tit moving. It was kind of a dull ache that lasted the rest of the afternoon, which was eased a lot by painkillers and chocolate.
It's been about 3 days now and it only really hurts slightly when I have to clean it, I can even lie on it without too much bother. I rode my horse today and I thought that would be a bit uncomfortable but it was totally fine and I'm really happy with the end result!
So my advice if you're unsure is to get a friend to come with you, they can hold your hand and talk to you, keep your mind off what's about to happen. The whole thing'll be over in about 10mins so just do it, you'll be proud of yourself after.
My only concern is that when I get drunk I'll develop a tendency to show everyone and anyone who expresses an interest. I hope not.