Nipple piercings have steadily been gaining popularity among men and women alike. They are not only cool but they are believed to boost sex drive with experts saying that it leads to greater enjoyment of sex. A nipple piercing increases sensitivity and could even help you achieve the mythical nipple orgasm. So, there’s that. Here are some things to consider if you’re considering getting a nipple piercing or two.
Professional Piercing Studio
When getting a piercing, nipple or otherwise, there’s no overstating the importance of the studio and the professional who does it. Comb through reviews about the service and the experience of other clients, especially the ones who also got a nipple piercing. Once you’ve selected a studio and piercer, visit the premises and watch them at work. Is the place clean and sanitary? Does the piercer maintain appropriate levels of hygiene like washing their hands and wearing gloves? Do they sterilize the equipment before use? Trust your gut and what you see in deciding whether to go forward and use them.
Pain and Soreness
A needle will be going through the sensitive flesh of your nipples, so it’s prudent to expect and prepare for some pain. The gospel according to people who had the courage to go through with it, the pain is not nearly as bad as you’d imagine. Depending on your pain tolerance, you may feel a slight pinch or feel extremely uncomfortable, either way, it will be brief. Apart from tolerance levels, another determinant of pain experienced is the experience of the piercer. The more experienced the better the experience overall. The pain will be sore for a few days after the nipple piercing.
No Bra
The timing matters. You should schedule your nipple piercing keeping in mind that you will be sore a few days after the procedure and will not want to wear a bra for that duration. Schedule it for when you can go sans-bra for a few days. If you do go sans-bra, you’ll need to wear a soft, clean shirt that won’t snag the piercing.
Style
There isn’t just one style of nipple piercing and nipples can be pierced in different ways. The most common style is the horizontal piercing although, you can also choose to pierce yours horizontally or diagonally. If you dare, you can even choose to have multiple piercings on each nipple for an extreme look.
Price and Jewellery
The price of a nipple piercing varies depending on location. The material of the jewellery is really the key determinant of the cost of the piercing. Solid gold barbells are for example, more costly than surgical steel or other metals. Avoid cheap materials and those with a high amount of nickel because it is more prone to infections and allergic reactions. Remember to select jewellery you really like because you will not be able to change them out for some time.
Long healing time and pregnancy
Nipple piercings take a long time to heal, about nine months to a year to heal completely. Male nipples take a shorter time and may heal in four months. Following the piercer’s aftercare instructions will keep your nipple piercing healing on track, lowering the risk of infection.
The long healing time means you have to think about your plans for the following year before getting it. If you intend to get pregnant within a year, you should reconsider that nipple piercing. You can breastfeed with healed nipple piercings, but you can’t do so with nipples that are still healing or with jewellery on. Breastfeeding with nipples that are not fully healed increases the risk of infection when milk gets stuck in the holes. Removing the jewellery before you’re fully healed risks the holes closing back up. If you’re planning a beach vacation anytime soon, it’s not a good idea to get your nipples pierced. The risk of sand making its way into the hole and wreaking havoc is ever-present.
Period
Women should wait until they’re between menstrual cycles before getting their nipples pierced. Dealing with the issues that arise during your period is difficult enough without the added discomfort of sore sensitive nipples.
Aftercare Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Wash your hands before handling your nipple piercing.
- Dress carefully to avoid snagging.
- Wear a sports bra at night and during any physical activity to avoid rubbing it.
- Use a q-tip soaked in saline solution to clear out any crust.
- Dry by gently patting with disposable paper.
- If you can, use organic jojoba oil and tea tree oil to aid in healing and keeping the piercing sterile.
- Rinse the nipple in saline solution at least twice a day or as needed. Soak the nipple in a shot glass full of saline solution or dab it with a clean cotton ball soaked in the saline solution. You can use warm water.
Don’ts
- Touch the nipples or let other people touch them.
- Move or rotate the jewellery.
- Share hot tubs and swimming pools.
- Use soap, alcohol-based, or harsh cleansers on the nipple piercing.
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