How to Pierce Your Nipple

Piercing your nipple is an intriguing form of body art that attracts both men and women. Many choose to get nipple piercings not only for a more appealing look but because the jewelry can increase the sensitivity of the nipple, making it appear fuller or enhancing its size, especially for those with inverted or smaller nipples. If you're considering nipple piercing, it's crucial to visit a reputable piercing studio that is clean and follows strict aftercare and hygiene protocols. This article will provide you with comprehensive information on nipple piercing.

Find a reputable piercing/tattoo studio in your area. The first and most important step is to locate a professional, clean piercing studio to perform the procedure. While piercing studios are typically found in urban areas, you can even find them in remote locations. As with any other service, you should use Google to search for piercing shops. Their website should look professional, well-organized, and offer plenty of useful information.

• They should also have a photo gallery where you can view images of the studio and piercings performed for previous clients.
• Be sure to check reviews from multiple customers to see if they were satisfied with the studio, and whether they would be willing to return.

Visit the shop before you decide to use their services. It's best to check out the piercing shop in person before scheduling an appointment. This way, you can evaluate the cleanliness, safety, and professionalism firsthand. They should be ready to show you their license issued by the Health Department, along with the sterilizer (for cleaning jewelry and equipment) and spore test results (proof that the sterilizer is working properly).

• Get to know a few people working there, ask for their advice on your decision, and review their past work. If they don't have many successful piercings to show, consider looking elsewhere.
• Ask if you can observe their technician prepare and perform the piercing. Pay attention to whether the technician washes their hands before wearing gloves. From that point on, they should only touch the equipment and the customer undergoing the piercing.
• All equipment and needles must be stored in individually sterilized packages and opened in your presence. Used needles should be disposed of in a labeled 'medical waste' bin.
• If the facility appears clean and the technician seems experienced, following proper healthcare safety procedures, you can schedule an appointment with them.

Consider the pros and cons of nipple piercings. Before deciding to get a nipple piercing, weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully. Think about whether this is something you would want for many years and if the piercing might affect your relationships or life in any way. Getting a nipple piercing is not a decision to take lightly.

• Pros: Nipple piercings not only look attractive but can also increase nipple sensitivity due to regular stimulation. The piercing can also enhance the size of small nipples and prevent nipple inversion.
• Cons: Nipple piercings can cause some pain and may take up to a year to fully heal. You will need to follow strict hygiene practices to prevent infections, so you must be committed to the aftercare. The piercing site can become infected if not properly cared for, which is especially serious for breastfeeding mothers. Nerve damage and scarring are possible, and this could negatively affect milk supply for nursing babies. If not removed, the piercing can make it harder for infants to latch and increase the risk of choking.

Decide whether to pierce both nipples at the same time. It's possible to pierce both nipples at once. This is often done when the reason for piercing is to enhance nipple size; however, many people feel the healing process will be easier if both nipples are done simultaneously.

• Additionally, piercing both nipples at the same time is usually cheaper than having them pierced on separate occasions.

Decide between a circular or barbell nipple piercing. Nipple piercings typically come in two types: circular and barbell-shaped. Circular piercings are more common, but barbells are ideal for people involved in contact sports since they are less likely to be pulled out. The choice of piercing also depends on the size and shape of your nipples, so it is important to consult with the technician before making a final decision.

• They may pierce your nipples in any direction, though the horizontal direction is the most common, followed by vertical. In some cases, multiple piercings may be done on one nipple, but the initial hole must heal completely before additional piercings are made.
• For jewelry, the safest options for nipple piercings are medical-grade steel bead rings or medical steel barbells. Never use jewelry containing high levels of nickel, as it can cause infections and allergic reactions.

Prepare yourself for some pain. The level of pain during a nipple piercing depends on each individual's pain tolerance. Some people find it very painful, while others only experience a brief discomfort. Most people describe the sensation as similar to being pinched or bitten hard. The nipple will feel quite warm.

• Fortunately, the piercing process is very quick, and the pain only lasts a few seconds.
• Afterward, your nipple may feel warm and sore to the touch, but the pain won't be intense.

Remove the bandage and clean the piercing. The most crucial task while waiting for the wound to heal is to ensure the cleanliness of the piercing site. The first cleaning should take place approximately 4-5 hours after the piercing. Gently remove the bandage from the nipple, supporting the area underneath with your hand, and soak it in water for 3-4 minutes to wash away any dried blood.

• This can be done in the shower or in a bath, but if using a bathtub, ensure you rinse the wound with clean water before stepping out.
• If dried blood remains on the nipple or jewelry, use a cotton swab soaked in water to gently clean it off.
• For the first cleaning, avoid using any cleaning solutions—just plain water is best.

Clean the wound once a day for the first four weeks. After the initial cleaning, you should wash the wound once daily using a mild antibacterial solution. It is best to clean the nipple in the shower. First, shower as usual, including washing your hair and body, and clean the piercing last. Follow these steps for cleaning:

• Wet the wound for a few minutes, then place 1-2 drops of the cleaning solution in your hands and rub them together to create lather.
• Apply the lather to the nipple and gently rotate the jewelry or slide the barbell back and forth to cleanse the piercing.
• Let the cleaning solution sit on the nipple for 1-2 minutes before rinsing with water. Dry off as usual with a towel, but use a paper towel to gently blot the wound dry. Towels can harbor bacteria, which can lead to infection.
• After the first four weeks, you can reduce the cleaning frequency to once every 2-3 days for the following four months. Over-cleaning can dry out the wound and cause irritation.

Soak the wound with saline to speed up healing. Another way to promote healing is to soak the wound with saline 1-2 times a day. Dissolve half a teaspoon of sea salt in hot water (about half a cup). DO NOT use table salt, as it contains iodine, which can irritate the wound and slow down healing. Once the water has cooled a bit, pour the saline into a clean cup.

• Press the cup around the nipple to immerse the wound in the saline solution. Keep the cup in place for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with water and gently pat the area dry with a paper towel.
• If you prefer, you can purchase pre-made saline solution at a pharmacy for the same purpose.
• You can repeat this process 1-2 times a day, as often as you wish—the more frequently you do it, the quicker the wound will heal.

Protect the wound at night. You should cover your piercing at night to prevent it from being pressed by clothing or bedding and to avoid it being pulled out. Women can protect the piercing by wearing a bra (or sports bra) while sleeping, while men can use a piece of medical tape (available at most pharmacies).

• Men should only use medical tape to cover the nipple at night. During the day, it’s best to leave the nipple exposed for faster healing.
• Women should avoid wearing lace bras when the nipple is freshly pierced, as the jewelry—especially circular or barbell types—can get caught in the lace. Regular bras, padded bras, or sports bras are safer options.

Know Which Products to Avoid. Certain products should be avoided when you have a new piercing, as they can irritate the wound or hinder healing. These include:

• Rubbing alcohol or methylated spirits: These are very strong astringents and should not be used on sensitive nipple piercings.
• Hydrogen peroxide or iodine-based products: These can prevent scar tissue from forming and delay the healing process.
• Antibiotic creams and gels: Creams like Neosporin or Bacitracin should not be applied to the nipple as they keep the wound too moist and interfere with healing.
• Also avoid using products like tanning oils, baby essential oils, or tea tree oil on the nipple, as these can cause irritation.

Avoid Touching or Twisting the Nipple. It's crucial to avoid touching or twisting your nipple during the healing period. Bacteria from your hands can easily infect the wound, which is the last thing you want. This means you should not allow your partner to touch or lick the newly pierced nipple. If you must touch the wound, wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap or wear gloves.

• Avoid twisting or rotating the jewelry in the first few months, except when cleaning. Twisting can irritate the wound and delay healing.
• Be careful during sports or physical activities, as the jewelry could be ripped out if hit too hard.
• You can cover the nipple with medical tape during sports, but make sure to remove it right afterward and clean the wound thoroughly.
• Do not remove the jewelry until the wound is fully healed. Specifically, do not replace it with a silver stud, as this could negatively affect healing and trigger an allergic reaction.

Learn How to Handle Infections. 90% of infections are caused by poor hygiene or careless cleaning, which is easily preventable with proper wound care. However, if you notice symptoms such as nipple pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, or pus from the wound, it is likely infected.

• Most mild infections can be handled within 24 hours by thoroughly cleaning the wound with an antibacterial solution and rinsing with clean water. If you have concerns, contact your piercer.
• If the infection does not improve within 24 hours, see a doctor as soon as possible. They may prescribe antibiotics for better treatment.
• Never remove the jewelry when dealing with an infection (even if some doctors suggest it), as this can trap bacteria inside the nipple and cause an abscess.
• If you experience fever or chills from the infection, seek medical attention immediately. This could indicate toxic shock syndrome, which is serious and potentially fatal without proper treatment.

Healing Time is 6-10 Weeks. Nipple piercings generally heal within 6-10 weeks, provided the wound is properly cared for and no complications occur. The nipple may be sore to the touch in the first few days, but this should improve gradually.

• While initial healing may take under three months, the wound may require over a year to fully heal and for scar tissue to form. Healing time varies for each individual.

• Ensure that the piercer is wearing clean clothing and has no open wounds on their body.
• A subjective but useful indicator of a piercer’s skill is the number and quality of piercings or tattoos they have on their own body.
• Avoid excessive cleaning of the wound, as this may cause the skin to dry out and lead to infection.
• Make sure the technician opens the needle package right in front of you, wears gloves or sanitizes their hands, and (optionally) applies a numbing spray to significantly reduce discomfort. They should also mark the nipple with a pen before piercing to ensure the needle enters at the correct angle. Piercing can be risky if done in the wrong spot, so be 100% certain about the placement before proceeding.
• Many piercers recommend using jewelry with internal threads, as this reduces the chance of irritation to the wound, especially when you're ready to swap out the jewelry.
• Always opt for jewelry with internal threads. Jewelry with external threads can cause injury and trap bacteria.

Your nipple won’t fully heal in less than a year. If the wound is still scabbing, you should soak it in saline for 10 minutes daily for a week. Women should wear a sports bra, but be cautious when putting it on or taking it off (DO NOT wear a tight bra for at least two months).

• Let a professional handle the piercing. Do not attempt to pierce your own or anyone else's nipple.
• If the nipple piercing becomes infected, seek treatment if the infection does not subside within 24 hours.