Welcome to the ultimate guide to nipple piercings! Whether you're considering getting your nipples pierced or simply curious about this popular form of body modification, you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive article, we'll explore the ins and outs of nipple piercings, discussing everything from the benefits and risks to the aftercare and finding a reputable piercing studio. As you navigate through this guide, you'll gain a deep understanding of nipple piercings, enabling you to make an informed decision. At Chronic Ink Tattoo, we're committed to providing valuable information, so let's dive in!

I. What Are Nipple Piercings?

Nipple piercings involve the insertion of jewelry through the nipple, typically a barbell or a ring. They have a rich history, dating back centuries and being embraced by various cultures. Today, nipple piercings have become a form of self-expression and a way to enhance personal style. They can be done on both men and women and offer aesthetic, sexual, and emotional benefits.

II. Risks and Considerations

1. Pain and Healing: Nipple piercings can be painful during the procedure and require a healing period of several months. It's crucial to be prepared for the discomfort and commit to proper aftercare.
2. Infection and Allergic Reactions: Like any piercing, there is a risk of infection and allergic reactions. Following proper hygiene practices and choosing high-quality jewelry can minimize these risks.
3. Migration and Rejection: Nipple piercings may sometimes migrate or be rejected by the body due to various factors such as poor aftercare, excessive movement, or incompatible anatomy.
4. Impact on Breastfeeding: Nipple piercings can potentially affect breastfeeding, but with proper planning and removal of jewelry during feeding, many individuals can successfully breastfeed.

III. Nipple Piercing Procedure 

1. Choosing a Reputable Piercing Studio: It is crucial to find a professional and reputable piercing studio like Chronic Ink Tattoo to ensure a safe and hygienic experience. Look for certifications, reviews, and ask about their sterilization practices.
2. Consultation and Preparation: Prior to the piercing, a professional piercer will discuss your goals, examine your anatomy, and provide detailed aftercare instructions.
3. The Piercing Process: The actual piercing involves cleaning the area, marking the entry and exit points, and using a sterilized needle or cannula to create the hole. The chosen jewelry is then inserted, and the procedure is completed with proper aftercare guidance.

IV. Nipple Piercing Aftercare

1. Cleaning and Hygiene: Regular cleaning with saline solution or mild soap and water is crucial to prevent infections. Avoid harsh products and touching the piercing with dirty hands.
2. Avoiding Irritants: It's essential to avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, excessive friction, and tight clothing during the healing process.
3. Jewelry Care: Keep the jewelry clean and avoid changing it prematurely. High-quality materials like surgical-grade stainless steel or titanium are recommended.
4. Managing Discomfort: Some swelling, tenderness, and redness are normal during the healing process. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses can help manage the discomfort.

Myth or Fact? 

Nipple piercings make nipples permanently hard.

When you first get your nipples pierced, they are likely to swell up. This effect doesn’t last forever though. Within two to four weeks the nipples should return to normal. However, this piercing can make your nipples more sensitive. So it’s easier for them to get hard. The extent to which, sensitivity is affected varies from one person to the next. Wearing loose shirts can help to prevent nipples from getting hard.

Verdict: Myth

Nipple piercings set off metal detectors.

Every day thousands of travellers quietly lean over to TSA agents to inform them that they have nipple piercings. And every day, they don’t need to. Nipple piercings aren’t large enough to set off metal detectors. So there is no need to remove them before going to the airport.

Verdict: Myth

You need to rotate and/or remove nipple piercing jewellery.

Too often people give the advice of rotating or removing nipple piercing jewellery. Reasons given vary from hygiene to promoting healing. Whatever the reason this is bad advice, especially while the piercing is healing. Rotating the piercing can tear freshly healed flesh. This results in longer and more painful healing. Removing the jewellery is an easy way to lose the piercing. During the first year, it only takes a few minutes without jewellery for the hole to close up. Once you’ve had the piercing for a few years the piercing can close quickly, the only reason to remove it is to change the jewellery. Even if you have an infection, you should leave the jewellery in.

Verdict: Myth

You can breastfeed with nipple piercings.

Most reputable piercing shops won’t perform a nipple piercing on a pregnant woman. This may be the source of the misconception that you can’t breastfeed with pierced nipples. There is no effect on your ability to lactate. The reason you can’t get this piercing is a fear of infection. Infections are rare, but if they happen it puts the baby at risk. It is best to avoid a nipple piercing while still breastfeeding as well since you can still transmit an infection to the baby this way. All that said, so long as you get your nipple pierced before having a baby (usually a year in advance is recommended) or after you finish breastfeeding, your ability to breastfeed is not impeded. Although you can breastfeed with a nipple piercing, we do recommend you remove the jewellery while your child is breastfeeding. The jewellery can present a serious choking hazard for a child. Once your child grows out of breastfeeding, we suggest revisiting a piercer. They can assess the piercer and determine whether the piercing needs to be reopened if it has healed over.

Verdict: Myth

A nipple piercing can affect a defibrillator.

This is a common myth that parents use to scare their kids away from nipple piercings. The proper placement of defibrillator pads is away from the nipple. Even if the AED operator is inexperienced the instructions and drawings on the pads clearly show the proper placement. Even if the pads are placed directly on the nipple the worst potential result would be a minor skin burn. Which is hardly a concern while facing a heart attack.

Verdict: Myth

You can clean nipple piercings with scented soaps.

Scented soaps, oils, and scrubs are best avoided for cleaning piercings. The fragrances come from chemicals that can irritate piercings, especially while healing. Stick with the products outlined in your piercing aftercare plan. Usually, this includes unscented soaps and saltwater soaks.

Verdict: Myth

The areola will get bigger after piercings.

This is one of the weirder nipple piercing myths, but it’s a common one. In some cases, the jewellery will make the nipple itself appear a bit larger. The areola, however, remains the same size.

Verdict: Myth

Nipple piercings are genderless.

Nipple piercings are, in fact, common amongst both men and women. It used to be more common for men to pierce both nipples and women to pierce one or the other. More recently, women have also been piercing both nipples.

Verdict: Fact

Nipple size affects the ability to pierce.

It seems like easy logic that a large nipple would be easy to pierce and a small nipple is difficult. In reality, any nipple is pierceable no matter how small. Even flat or inverted nipples are eligible.

Verdict: Myth

 

Getting a Nipple Piercing in Toronto & Vancouver

If you have any other questions or concerns about nipple piercings, our Toronto & Vancouver piercing artists can help. We can help you discover which nipple piercing is best for you.