I got my nipples done at Release Body Modifications in Iowa City. When I wanted to get my nose ring changed out this summer, Release was where I went. I was really impressed with their service, so when I made the reckless decision to get my nipples pierced, Release was the obvious choice for me.

If you are thinking about going to them, know that they are pretty expensive. To get both of my nipples pierced, it was $175 with tip, and that was just with the standard grey bar. I know others who have been able to find other places to do it for less though, so don’t let the price hold you back.

(Release is located on Linn St., down from the record store and across from Black Angel tattoo parlor, if you are interested in giving them some business)

One thing I want to say before I start telling you about the piercing itself, is that if you want to get your nipples done, don’t be embarrassed about someone seeing you in all your glory. They are professionals and this is a job, you have nothing to be embarrassed about! You would be surprised by how many people get their nipples done. The guy who did mine said he probably gets more nipple piercings than any other. So you are not the only one who has sat there while half-naked.

The first thing my piercer did was measure my nipples to make

sure he used the right size bar. This is just a tape measure device that is put around your nipple. It doesn’t hurt at all and really isn’t invasive considering it’s your breast. I honestly barely felt when he was even touching me.

After he picked out the right size bar, he sterilized everything in this big machine. Now this process took a long time, which I think was because he had to add more solution to the machine. I assume that this is not the norm, but just in case, I would make sure you don’t have anything to do afterwards when you go in. Once everything was clean and safe, which I know because he showed me a sterilization strip, I was instructed to take my shirt off and stand with my back to the wall.

The next five minutes or so was spent drawing on my nipples to ensure that the bar would be even and through my nipple, not my areola.

This was the first time that it started to be invasive. I personally wasn’t uncomfortable, but I know some might

be because he had to actually squeeze my nipples to make sure they were hard enough so his markings were accurate.

After he marked everything up, I laid down on the table and he got to work. Now I have heard stories of other places clamping the nipple while they pierce it, that was not how my piercer did it, but just so you are aware this might be the preferred way of whoever performs your piercing.

The first thing my guy did was put the back end of the bar in, now this hurt but don’t kid yourself like I did, it gets worse. Then he put the front of the bar into the other side of my nipple, now this is where it really started to hurt. Like really hurt. I can’t really describe the pain, but I can tell you that it was so intense that I felt it in my stomach. (My friend who I was holding on to for dear life even told me that she saw the inside of my stomach move.)

I honestly could have probably thrown up from the pain if I wasn’t so focused on looking tough. And it isn’t a fast pain, it takes about 30-45 seconds to get the bar all the way through the nipple which is a long time when you’re having a sharp rod shoved through one of the most sensitive parts of your body. After he shoved the bar completely through, he had to pinch the entry hole. This was almost just as bad as getting it shoved through in my opinion.

There are many people who say the second nipple is worse than the first. I personally didn’t experience this. I thought they both hurt equally bad, you just know what to expect for the second one. You do always have the option of only getting one nipple pierced though. This may affect the cost depending on where you go, so make sure you ask.

After everything was over, it didn’t hurt awfully bad. It did feel really awkward, probably because I’ve never experienced a rod through my boob, but once I got home the pain started to set in. I was exhausted. I had fully intended on participating in the Halloween festivities, but after my adrenaline wore down, I really couldn’t do anything except eat pizza and watch Smallville.

The day after, I was really sore, as you can imagine but the second day wasn’t so bad. It helped for me to wear a bra, it didn’t rub my piercings the wrong way like I expected, it almost helps to keep the piercings in one set place with a set fabric over them that didn’t move like a shirt would have. So your recovery might be better than mine if you wear a bra right after your appointment.

Regardless of the pain, I am really happy with the results. It is kind of fun to look at myself now, it is almost as if I have new boobs. So when you are laying on the table about to get impaled, remember it is worth it. Be brave, go get those nips pierced!

If you are interesting in more information of nipple piercings, such as the aftercare, just follow this link.

The post What it’s Really Like to Get Your Nipples Pierced appeared first on KRUI Radio.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: Hey! My name is Logan, I am taking over this column for Ali so things will be a little different around here from now on :)

Getting asked stupid questions about my tattoos and piercings is in the top ten reasons why I have a resting bitch face.

One of the many daily struggles of having multiple tattoos and piercings is being bombarded with stupid questions. For example ever since I got my first tattoo I’ve been asked the question, “Did that hurt?” at least

once a day from some random person that proceeds to try and touch my tattoos. I understand that as

humans we are naturally curious but that does not give us the right to touch another person without their consent or ask stupid questions that you could answer yourself. Of course getting a tattoo hurts! You are getting a shit ton of tiny needles poked into your skin fifty to three thousand times per minute! But it is not an unbearable amount of pain. Do you really think I would have more than one tattoo if they really hurt that bad?

Heavily tattooed people know this struggle and we have no problem with you asking questions about our ink but please do not be ignorant about it. We do not mind if you touch them just as long as you ask first, we also do not mind if you ask the meaning behind them just as long as you do not mind if there is not one.

That is another struggle within itself. I hate when people who do not even have a tattoo say that all tattoos need to have a meaning behind them. Not all tattoos need to have some sort of deep, philosophical meaning behind them. Over half of mine I got done just because I liked the way they looked. Tattoos are an art form, I am paying the artist to put their artwork on my skin forever. It is just like going to a gallery and purchasing a painting or drawing that you love.

As for my piercings, especially my septum, I get asked more than once a day if hurt or “Why would you ever do that to yourself? No guy is going to like you with that in”. First off, why would I want to be with someone who did not like me for who I was or what I looked like? but we will

save that for a different time. Yet again of course getting my septum and nostril pierced hurt, they are putting a huge needle through my nose, but it wasn’t any worse than getting your ears pierced.

Another question I hate getting asked about my tattoo and piercings is, “How do you expect to get an actual job with those?”. Well first of all, I can cover up all of my tattoos and my piercings are not permanent. Obviously I am not going to keep my septum ring in forever, and as for my nose piercing, I know multiple older people that have very successful jobs and still have it in. More and more people are getting tattoos; in fact we are the majority now so all you people who do not have one get with the program (totally kidding, but if you are thinking about getting one just do it). It is becoming more acceptable to have them even in the workplace.

Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I am not a nice or respectable person. Tattoos do not make us ugly, irresponsible or mean. In fact all the people that I have encountered that have tattoos and

piercings are some of the kindest people I have met. So the next time you think about judging people based on their appearance or asking them questions that may make them angry or disrespected just don’t do it. Please and thank you.

The post Reasons for the Resting Bitch Face appeared first on KRUI Radio.