Nipple piercing is not usually a DIY procedure, and should be done by professionals. Ensure that they only use single-use sterile needles – no piercing guns! The piercer should be a trained and licensed expert operating in a clean and well-run environment. Once you're comfortable with your studio and piercer, you can proceed with the procedure.
- Sign a consent form and discuss with your piercer any concerns beforehand.
- Proceed to a private room, where your piercer swabs the area with alcohol wipes and marks the skin with a surgical marker. Confirm the marks to ensure you’re comfortable with the placement.
- Your piercer will clamp the nipple or use forceps when piercing. Piercing only takes seconds, and once the needle is through, the chosen jewellery is inserted immediately.
Once the process is complete, take a look in the mirror to see your new piercing. It's then covered with a small dressing to account for any bleeding and the aftercare protocol.
The nipples are primarily sensitive areas on our bodies. Nipple piercing is usually fast, but comes with some pain, although this depends on your level of pain tolerance. You will feel a sharp scratch immediately, followed by some pressure. Take a deep breath in and out during the procedure; it won't hurt as much as you expect. The good news is also that the pain only lasts for seconds when the needle pierces the skin.
Additionally, you should expect sensitivity and discomfort around your nipples for the next several days after getting your piercing. You may feel itching, soreness, and swelling over the next few weeks of healing after the piercing.
Consult a piercing expert if you observe signs of infection on the nipples, including rashes, excessive pain, swelling, fatigue, body aches, or redness that spreads from the nipple piercing.
Just like with any other piercing, we don’t recommend sleeping on your nipple piercing during the healing process. This could cause trauma and stress on your piercing, resulting in jewellery rejection. Nipple piercings hurt, and tend to be annoying when you get to bed.
The best way to sleep with a new nipple piercing is to wear a tight sports bra or cotton T-shirt when going to bed. Tight cotton clothes prevent the jewellery from snagging on anything, and prevent the hypersensitive nipples from rubbing directly against your bed sheets.
