In recent years, nipple ring jewelry has come back in style, and it’s here to stay. Both women and men enjoy this piercing- it’s gaining more popularity recently and has fewer taboos attached to it. While it was previously associated with a type of sexual stigma, nipple ring jewelry and piercings are now more of a self-confidence statement across all genders and ages. Since not everybody likes to expose their bling (or tattoos), having an exotic, hidden piece of jewelry that can be shown off only in particular moments gives life an adventurous flair. Therefore, if you feel the temptation to get a nipple piercing and wear some well-crafted jewelry, here are some things you should know.
1. Who Should Do Your Nipple Piercing?
While you can get piercings in almost all mall jewelry store, the safest way to get a piercing is to find professional piercers and venues that can ensure a completely sanitized environment and a safe procedure. The other distinct method is to have the “operation” in a medical office or a clinic where they do piercings in compliance with all medical guides.
2. How Much Does Nipple Piercing Hurt?
Pain is subjective, and you may have a lower or a higher pain tolerance and threshold than the average person. However, there is no doubt that a nipple piercing will most likely hurt more than an ear-piercing. The issue with nipple piercing has less to do with how much it hurts, but with how long it hurts.
Personal tolerance aside, the jolt of pain lasts for a couple of seconds. Nevertheless, here are some things to know:
- It is not unusual to feel a throbbing sensation in your nipples in the first couple of days;
- If you usually have sensitive skin or are sensitive to pain, you might feel the nipple pain as sunburn or bruising a few days after the procedure;
- You might also feel your nipples tender for two to three days after you got the piercing, but again, it depends on your skin type and pain tolerance.
If you choose a qualified piercer, you will likely get some advice or a tips for pain relief along with aftercare tips. Besides taking OTC medication against pain (most professionals recommend ibuprofen), you can lower your pain levels before and after the procedure. Reducing stress levels, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol, scheduling the piercing after you had your period, practicing yoga, or meditation help with managing your discomfort.
3. What Nipple Jewelry Will I Get?
Just like with any piercing, you will begin with starter nipple jewelry. You will have to keep it there for a good couple of weeks until the wound heals, and the hole does not risk closing. Starter nipple jewelry should come in hypoallergenic metals of implant quality such as titanium, gold, high-grade silver, stainless steel, or niobium. If you get something cheap with low-quality alloys, you risk skin irritations, allergies, prolonged healing times, infections, and so on.
Experts also recommend you go for high-quality metals even when you go for your permanent nipple piercing jewelry (for sale here). Regardless of if you are a fan of barbell nipple jewelry, half hoops, shield nipple rings, nipple bars, etc., the quality of the material and the reputation of the seller should be considered when making your purchase. When it comes to style, rose gold, blue niobium, or black stainless steel are all the rage right now in nipple piercings for both women and men. Captive bead rings and nipple shields are styles where things start to be fun, original, and badass.
If you have inverted nipples, you might want to consider piercing as a method to draw them out. In this case, curved barbells might be your best choice.
4. What Should I Do After I Get My Nipple Piercing?
The first thing you should know is that nipple piercing takes anywhere between 9 and 12 months to heal properly. You can, of course, check in with your piercer every couple of months to see how things go, but the healing process takes time. With this in mind, hygiene and aftercare are crucial. Here are some highlights to consider:
- Use a saline spray and soak for about six weeks after the procedure to make sure the area is clean and safe at all times;
- Take a shower a day with a fragrance-free soap or shower gel;
- For the first four to six months of healing, you should avoid beaches, hot tubs, pools, lakes, spas even; if you cannot altogether avoid them, wear waterproof bandages over your piercings;
- During the healing period, wear tight cotton t-shirts or sports bras; you don’t want your nipple ring jewelry to catch and snag against your clothes;
- Use OTC hydrocortisone creams for the itching or prescription antibiotics only if your doctor recommends them. Even if you see some nipple excretion, don’t panic. Learn the signs of an infection or a nipple piercing rejection here;
- Refrain from nipple play until you’re fully healed.
5. What Should I Know About Motherhood and Nipple Piercings?
The consensus is that if you are already pregnant or plan to have a baby in the next year, you should wait before you get nipple piercings. While healed piercings will not pose problems with breastfeeding or milk production, you should not breastfeed while your nipples are in the midst of the healing process.
Bottom Line
Getting nipple piercings is a personal choice and an intimate procedure, so make sure you vet your professional well. While getting one piercing can take up to $50 (without the rings), you can always pierce one breast at a time if money is an issue. What you should not compromise on, however, is the quality of both your starter rings and permanent nipple jewelry. Doing this will help you avoid allergies, piercing rejection, infections, etc. If you follow proper hygiene rules, make a few wardrobe changes, and stay safe throughout the healing period, you will end up looking and feeling fabulous!
