The Horror Behind Nipple Piercings
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Horror Behind Nipple Piercings

Well, at least for yours truly.

92182
The Horror Behind Nipple Piercings

Fellow nipple wearers (AKA every human being), please observe:

Can't see anything particularly interesting? Look a little lower...not quite at the stomach but not at the neck, either.

Catch my drift?

We've all seen the following campaign:


Although I am a huge fan of this equality movement, I have some stuff to say about nipples. Not necessarily freeing them, but something else: piercing them.

I am in no way against getting your nipples pierced because back in January, I got mine done. My best friend and I drove down to Chitown Tattoo, my go-to tattoo and piercing parlor, to do something we thought was a right of passage, and of course, something totally badass. No one I know had theirs pierced. I had seen tons of nipples on Tumblr (because let's be real, who hasn't?!) that had beautiful bar bells pierced through them, and I instantly wanted them. They were taboo, and to be frank, I wanted to rock them through see-through shirts.

It was cool, rebellious, and it wasn't super subtle; it represented me.

After lying down in the chair at the tattoo parlor, my heart instantly revved up to a million beats a minute. I grabbed my best friend's hand and squeezed it until I thought my hand would fall off-- and I still had my shirt on!

By the time everything was over, I was (barely) alive, but I felt like I was going to pass out. After examining the new barbells literally inside my nipples, I went and sat on a chair while a black shadow and little stars clouded my head. I felt my stomach drop and my hands get sweaty. This wasn't fun.

I dashed to the bathroom, almost sure I was going to upchuck my Noodles and Company, but I just sat there in a daze of nausea. Finally, I came out, feeling relatively normal—still sore, but functional.

"Now, remember," the gorgeous piercing artist who had just gone to WWIII with my nipples said, "you're going to want to wash them with sea salt and warm water, or Dial soap."

I nodded, still in a daze, and followed her directions.

For the next couple weeks, I was happy with the way my nipples looked. I felt comfortable to show off my breasts without wearing a bra (even though I was getting slut shamed for it, but it didn't phase me). But as months passed (while I still washed it with Dial soap every day, and did the salt soak pretty often), my nipples started to look scarred and downright gross.

I'll keep cleaning them and it'll go away! Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Although I tried for months keeping that mindset, I finally had to take them out. They were becoming not only high maintenance, but deeply painful. When I would wear bras, the barbells would get caught on my undergarments and tear at my nipple causing it to sometimes bleed. I didn't have time for this; all I wanted was pretty nipples, was that too much to ask?

During the time I had my nipples pierced, there was some scarring because of the bleeding and infection, but I thought that after I took them out, washed them for a few days, it would all be good!


My nipples were discolored, scarred and even shaped differently.

I was upset with myself that I got these piercings that would cause me so much stress to a vital body part (can you say breastmilk?) just so my nipples would look "badass" through a shirt. I did some research and came across a blog written by a female doctor in Arizona who's been practicing medicine for over 30 years. In this article Dr. Christina talks about some of the risks I should have looked up before I was impulsive. Here are just two of the general health risks that Dr. Christina addresses:

a) Infection – This can occur due to poor hygiene during or after piercing procedure care. It could also be caused by the improper sterilization of the piercing equipment. Remember the infection can spread via the nipple ducts and get into the lymph nodes, which can not only cause an abscess (which is a collection of pus), but also allow the infection to get into your blood stream, which can make you extremely sick. Believe it or not, a person can develop an abscess up to 7 years after the piercing. An abscess can recur frequently and may require antibiotics and/or surgery. Some people choose to get a tetanus shot prior to getting a piercing as a precaution against any infection that may occur.

b) Nerve damage – Piercing can damage milk production ducts in the breast. It may also cause a problem later if the patient decides to breastfeed. The patient may also risk the loss of feeling in that area.

Disappointment filled my head as I scanned all my adorable tops that would be perfect to wear without a bra (and of course, my adorable nipple piercings). I had gone through all this pain, infection, and severe yuckiness all for the name of fashion (and not for sex as some people had thought; I could've really cared less about that).

I sat there standing outside my closet, and decided "F*ck it!" I was going to free the nipple without a nipple piercing, and I didn't care! I embraced my free, virgin breasts without any defiant body piercing, and it was still gonna be killer.

Don't get me wrong; if my nipples weren't so sensitive, I totally would still have mine in right now. Some of my friends have told me that I inspired them to get theirs pierced, and I love that! Like I said, it's a right of passage and screams, "YEAH GIRL! TAKE CONTROL OF THAT BODY! YOU SEXY AND YOU'RE GOING TO OWN THOSE NIPPLES BECAUSE YOU CAN!" Nipple piercing or no nipple piercing, you still can rock the #FreeTheNipple movement. Just remember to take care of yourself first and do your research before doing something impulsive. As young adults, it's hard to do, but hey, not everything we do can not have consequences, right?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41141
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25682
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951138
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134140
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments