Here's some great info on Nipple piercings for you. Over the years nipples have remained one of the most popular piercings - regardless of year, fashion or gender.
They are consistently popular for good reason.
They reach into all the reasons one may choose to get a piercing done:
- it looks great
- it feels great
- it's a little bit naughty
- it's fun to play with
- it can be private
- huge jewelry selection
Whilst all these reasons are true - there is some extra info that can make sure that a nipple piercing brings a smile to your dial - instead of a tear to your eye!
Depending on the reason you are getting this piercing done, the thickness (gauge) of the jewellery can make a big difference to its comfort. Nipple piercing should never be thinner than 14g (1.6mm). This is to ensure the piercing has some strength to reduce the chance of it tearing out or rejecting. Now while this thickness is fine for those who are mainly after "the look" of this piercing, those who plan to hang from the chandeliers should consider something a bit thicker.
Now this can be done at the time of the initial piercing - or once the piercing has healed. If you know that your piercing is going to be put through its paces, then I would suggest a larger gauge to begin with.
12g and 10g are common choices - and if you have the piercing done at a reputable studio - it will not hurt significantly more than a smaller size. Our needles have improved so much over the years that even an 8g needle can pass through tissue easily.
That said, nipple piercings do respond well to stretching, but it is important to take it slowly! They can play up and/or reject if this is done too quickly. Talk to your Piercer about stretching your nipple piercing if this is something you would like to do - please don't do it yourself.
There isn't a "normal" side to get a nipple piercing if you are just getting one. Like any piercing - go with what feels right - where have you "imagined" it to be. That is where your body is expecting it.
However - if you live in the BDSM culture in Australia or the USA there is a code. Right for bottom/submissive, and left for Top/Dominant. In Europe this is the opposite. But again - this only matters if it matters to you.
Breast feeding is a common concern for women considering this piercing. If the piercing is done properly - by a knowledgeable Piercer - it should not affect the ability to breast feed - if in fact you are able to do this in the first place.
I do advise though not to get the initial piercing done beyond 12g, as the scar tissue generated from a larger piercing may block major milk ducts. Stretching the initial piercing should not result in the same issue. We have had many women successfully breast feed with nipple piercings
Jewelry size and style can make a big difference to healing times. The biggest problems we see are caused by rings that are too small in diameter - particularly in women. Rings are fine for the initial piercing but must be the correct diameter.
My preference is to use an internally threaded barbell in initial female nipple piercings. Remember with any piercing that the aim of the game is to get it healed - and nipple piercings do heal well when the piercing and jewellery is right.
As nipple piercing crosses into the sexual realm, I should discuss a little about sexual safety. Any open wound is susceptible to disease or infection, and piercings are no exception.
Restrict exposure to anyone's bodily fluids that are not your own while the piercing is healing - AND if it has gone through a major "workout" which may have resulted in slight tearing. Mild salt water soaks will soothe and assist this healing stage. The older a piercing gets, the more it is able to withstand without negative results.
Changing jewellery and stretching should only be done once the piercing has healed - unless it is for better jewelry that will aid the healing process. In many cases, the piercing should be left alone, in this regard, for at least 3 months.
Women may find that their nipple piercing goes through cycles where one week it feels "healed" and the next it is sensitive again. This can be frustrating until you realise that nipples are affected by hormones and during the first year or so they can become sensitive at either ovulation or mensuration. This does settle - but can pop up again even years down the track in my experience. This is just another added bonus of hormones in <our> world :)
Quick Tips
- padded/t-shirt bras will assist if you need to conceal a nipple piercing
- fresh nipple piercings are sensitive to cool temperatures!
- it is normal for male and female nipple piercings to secrete from the entry and/or exit while healing
- do not remove a nipple piercing within the first 12 months if you wish to keep it
- piercing will usually increase nipple sensitivity
- inverted nipples can be pierced - and is effective as a treatment to this condition
- "3rd" nipples can be pierced
- any male nipple can be pierced - even if you think you haven't got one!
- nipple piercings will usually heal and close when the jewellery is removed
If this post has inspired you to have your nipple(s) pierced, then here is a special present for all our blog readers, we would like to make you this great offer:
Book your nipple piercing at The Piercing Urge for between now and Friday the 20th of June 2008 - mention this post - and receive your nipple piercing for half-price. Conditions do apply but they are very reasonable - I promise :) To make your appointment Call on 03 9530 2244 or email us.
To see more pics and read some more about nipple piercing, please visit The Piercing Urge main nipple webpage.
