Ur.Secret.Embrace   Stratford, CT   173 days till my birthday. Roadtrip Taken when driving down the coast to Florida  Only you can make yourself heard so speak up I have always been interested in the piercing and tattoo community. I have kept current on many issues within it and have finally joined both. I currently have a anklet tattoo with plans to fill my left leg from my knee down. I also have both my nipples pierced and 8 holes in my ears. I think that my body is my canvas to adorn as I see fit. Tattoos and piercings are traveling art that will come with me forever to tell my story and remind me of where I was in life when I got them. If it's not hurting anyone then who's place is it to say it's wrong. We are only truly individuals when we forget about societies rules and theories and create our own based on our views of the world. To many people let others view color they way they see the world. I have eyes just as good as the next person and I will color my world by the rules and justifications that are fair in my mind. Check out my piercing diary if you are interested in getting you nipples pierced (photos members only). It chronicles everything from my struggle with my states lack of regulations to the healing process.(current week first) Modifications Tattoos Word Anklet (doubt nothing cherish everything live without regret) October 21st, 2009 Artist: Laura Usowski Shop: Lovecraft Tattoos Location: New Haven, CT Anklet (fine line detail with 4 birthstone inlays) January 2008 w/ touch up June 2008 Artist: Laura Usowski Shop: Lovecraft Tattoos Location: New Haven, CT Piercings Nipple Piercings (14kt gold 12g 9/16" barbell w/ 3/16" beads) June 18th, 2009 Artist: Georgina Williamson Shop: Black Diamond Body Piercings Location: West Hartford, CT Right Ear 1998-2000 1-16g lobe(DIY stretching) 2-22g lobe Left Ear 1998-2002 1-16g lobe(DIY stretching) 2-22g lobe 2-22g helix

NEW TATOO

2009/10/21 18:56 Got my new tattoo today! Super happy about it too. With pain comes pride and there is nothing more I want to do then boast about this one. All my ink work is done by the amazingly talented Laura Usowski from LoveCraft Tattoos. This piece has so much meaning to me too, it really marks the end of a book in my life and the fresh pages of a new one. This is what my tattoo reads and this is how I live my life. doubt nothing cherish everything live without regret Post/View Comments (2)

Excited

2009/10/20 21:14 Super excited for tomorrow to come! I'm getting my second tattoo which has bucket loads of meaning for me. It marks the end of one part of my life and the beginning of a kick ass tomorrow. My mother is coming a long for her third although I think she is going to bow out of it. I will def. upload new pics as soon as I can after I get the work done thats for sure. Post/View Comments (0)

Fall Is Here

2009/10/17 17:32 Ok, so it is only early October and it is freezing, it snowed yesterday. I'm learning that having 3.5 month old piercings with metal bars in the cold offers a rather novel sensation. It's more of a wow it's cold, oh wow that's an interesting feeling kind of thing. I spent today outside carving an awesome pumpkin for a competition so I fully know what cold metal feels like against healing flesh. Fun times! Definitely excited about getting some new work done later this week so I will have updates then. Post/View Comments (0)

New Work

2009/09/30 00:09 So I am super psyched that in 21 days I will be getting my second tattoo! It means a lot to me and it marks the close of one book and the beginnings of a brand new one with fresh characters and hopefully a much better story line. I have come to realize that I love being pierced but don't have any other places I wish to have pierced so I am at a cross roads with that work. I scar to easily for play piercings so that's not really an option to enjoy the sensations either...guess I'll have to figure something out. Oh! My nipples piercings are doing great by the way. I have started experimenting with pulling gently on them and getting a feel for with I can do now that the piercings are in place. They are 3 months, 1 week and 4 days old. My piercer said because I had to be pierced with gold it can take up to a year to heal so I am being cautious still. They do still lymph but there isn't much build up that daily showering doesn't keep up with. Ok that's all for now, I uploaded 3 new pics of the nips so check um' out. I know this one is short and really just a rant but hey, that's life!

The Going On's of a newly modified woman

2009/09/04 01:57 Ok, so if you have been following my blog thus far it has really covered the healing process that I have endured from piercing to current. Now I am feel the need to speak about how everything else has been pertaining to the piercing. I have only had my nipple piercing show through my shirt twice since having them done. The first time was when I was driving through the bible belt on my way home from Florida. We stopped off for the night and went to a diner for some food and everyone kept staring at me and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why. This is until 45 minutes later I mentioned it to everyone at my table and my two younger sisters piped up that in the rain and cool night air my nipples had one hardened and two my pale pink shirt had become rather see through. I personally thought it was funny, those people got a free show in my opinion. The second time was actually last week. I was camping and that hurricane swept through so we broke down our campsites in the pour rain which took 2 hours. I was soaked to the core and freezing, most of the people that camped with me where with me when I had them done so it was no big but one of the brothers did not apparently even know I had them and was rather distracted until I told him and he got over it. My piercings are now almost 3 months old so I am a quarter of the way through the healing process. They still lymph a little but not anywhere close to how bad it was originally. They are actually not even that bad during that time of the month now. They are still sensitive to getting hit so a puppy that freaks out when being picked up is and interesting obstacle to deal with. I do notice that when up my 11 month old nephew it's less an issue now as it was about a month ago with is great because he is more active then ever. I am still nervous about sleeping sans sports bra so I continue wearing them at night. I do wear a regular bra during the day or if I'm feeling particularly daring go without. I do have to say that I love they way my chest looks with the piercings and I am very proud of my breasts now. Before this I was always uncomfortable with them, now if someone I know asks to see them (in a non-sexual way) I will gladly show them once we are in a non public setting. I do have to admit that now that I have my esthetically pleasing piercing done and I love the results I am searching for the next one. My nipples were about feeling comfortable in my own skin, now I want that rush again and I don't know what I want next. I don't want any facial piercings nor my tongue so I am on a venture to figure out the next site. I am also preparing for my second tattoo which I am super psyched about. I will post that process when it takes place and updated photos of my nipples when I get my camera working again. Much love and hope to hear from you! Post/View Comments (2)

Nipples Month Two

2009/08/09 00:39 So my nipples are at just under two months old and things have been good so far. I have a concern that my left has started a rejection/migration out so I am going to see my piercer on Thursday. Also before my second monthly cycle since having my piercings done my nipples felt great. There was hardly any lymph and there was no pain or discomfort. As soon as that time came they because super sensitive in a bad way and the lymph has been so bad at some points that it leaked through a bra. My cycle is over so I am hoping it goes back to no-issue healing. I will give an update as soon as I see Georgina Thursday. Post/View Comments (0)

Vacation and my piercings

2009/07/24 22:54 July 24, 2009 So it has felt like forever and a day since I have been on here to update. I haven't had a solid internet connection while on vacation in Florida but I finally got one with the time I need to sit and write. I was really concerned coming into this trip having month old nipple piercings but I have come to see that a week into it there was nothing to fear so far. I went out and bought extra cans on H2Ocean and stocked up on NexCare bandages for swimming and water parks. I cleaned my nipples in my normal routine on once in the morning and once at night the first 4 days of my trip, then on the fifth I was so beat I passed out before I did them. When I woke up in the morning I freaked out but when I checked them they actually looked and felt better then they ever have. I haven't cleaned them with the solution in 5 days and they are perfectly fine. I am in NO WAY suggesting anyone do the same as your body is different from mine and it may not work out so well for you. My nipples survived Seaworld and two rain storms as well as a daily helping of hours in the pool. When going into a pool/water park I do make sure I secure a large bandage over each nipple to make sure that nasty chemical and lord knows what else water doesn't touch them. When I shower the dried lymph comes off and when doesn't I gently rub off. I also turn them while in under the shower (I check tightness before getting in). When I get out I pat dry and then let them air dry the rest of the way and then once check to make sure they are tightly closed and spin once more. So far so good and I will try to update things again soon. Post/View Comments (0)

Nipples Week Four

2009/07/12 23:52 July 11, 2009 Went in the pool for the first time since my piercing. I bought these ridiculously huge water proof band aids to provide the most coverage and protection. It actually felt great until the water temperature finally penetrated me and my nipples causing them to get hard. The pressure from the band aid and my hard nipples was uncomfortable but nothing unbearable. I also bought these particular kind because they don't hurt to pull off. I really don't know how to describe the sensation because there really isn't one, they just come off with my glue left behind and none of that horrible close your eyes and just pull pain like regular bandages. Feeling good so far and will swim again tomorrow. July 12, 2009 Apparently my right nipple isn't a fan of swimming because when I got up this morining there was a lot of white leakage accompanied by a small streaking of blood. I checked to make sure there was no smell which would indicate an infection and there's not, must have just been the tight quarters of the bandage. After hanging out at a parade for 4 hours I went to a friends for some swimming and a cookout. While getting suited up I cleaned both nipples before hand and then placed bandages over each making sure to leave more breathing room then I did yesterday. Much better because things feel better. My nipples go back and forth for which one is going to have a bad day, its kind of funny. So as of now it is my right nipple acting up and my left has gone good. I am sure this will change soon. July 15, 2009 Nothing really new which is why it's been a few days. My right nipple is still overly sensitive and the lymph is still crazy but things feel generally good. I have noticed that both nipples and about a half inch of aureole is flaking or peeling I guess you would say. It's interesting but not really a big issue. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to get on in the next 2 weeks because I'm heading down to Florida with the family for vacation. I will try and update when I'm not to beat. I will have my laptop with me so if you need me, email me. Post/View Comments (0)

Nipples Week Three

2009/07/08 23:40 July 3, 2009 Nipples feel great! I was able to spin then by holding the ball and spinning and I didn’t even feel it. I have had to try and spin them while cleaning the jewelry with a q-tip. That is actually the recommended way to shift your jewelry during healing, just letting it naturally spin during cleaning but I was curious and it was fine. My left nipple did lymph a lot over night, there was some dried discharge on the inside of my bra and that was a first. No big deal though, just had to really clean my nipple well. And I have found my method for success as far as my cleaning routine goes. First I wash my hands and then spray each nipple. I let the H2Ocean sit on my nipples while I collect my shot glass and three q-tips. The I spray one end of two of the q-tips, using one for each nipple. After cleaning each nipple I run hot water on the unused ends and just quickly run the water end across each piercing hole. After tossing the q-tips I put as hot water as I can take in my shot glass and put one nipple at a time in it and let it sit for about 30 seconds so it can fully rinse off, replacing with clean water in between each side. The I take the third q-tip and dry each nipple thoroughly using one end for each nipple as to not cross contaminate. I find this method lessens the chance of residual spray getting left behind and dry lymph building up to break off and migrate inside to reek havoc later. Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July. July 5, 2009 Sorry there wasn’t an update yesterday for those of you that follow. It was a late night and there really wasn’t anything to report. I am going to start only updating on days that there is something major that happens or something that I think would be helpful information to those seeking this modification or guidance in the process they are having. Hope your 4th was fun and safe. MUAH! July 6, 2009 Today was a long, long day. I have had a killed migraine with has offset my coordination which has in turn caused me to bumped and bang my left, yes only my left nipple several times throughout my day. My left nipple has started to leek lymph consistently and hurts to the touch. There is no major damage and I have verified that there is no infection so I’m good there. It has definitely been a rough day and I hope tomorrow brings better. On a happier note, I found out that the Hot Topic in my local mall sells H2Ocean spray which was a relief. I wanted to buy an extra two cans to last me and I didn’t want to drive to the only other place I know where to get it, which is my piercer over and hour away from here. So big plus there! I have found out that most places do not sell 12 ga nipple jewelry, it is all 14 ga and smaller which is a bummer because I like this size. I will just have to get it from my piercer who I love anyway so the trek is no biggie there. Ok, I’m drained so I’m going to go crash. July 7, 2009 Not a happy camper today at all. If you're a guy and period talk turns your stomach don't read todays entry, if you're a girl and looking to get this done listen up. So I got my cycle today for the first time since getting my piercings done. Everything was going well and they were feeling great and then yesterday I noticed and increase in lymph discharge from my left nipple and increased tenderness in both. Today the discharge is so crazy I had to put gauze in my bra to keep it from leaking all over it and I am so tender that even the pressure from my bra is uncomfortable. I contacted my piercer to ask if this is to be expected until my healing process is further along. As for now I and hurting and being super cautious with every movement so as not to make things worse. July 8, 2009 My nips feel better today, still sore but nothing like yesterday and the day before and my left nipple has slowed in lymph production which is good. Georgina is amazing, she emailed me right back about my issues. She said, and I quote, "Actually, yes, that is very normal. It will happen for the first 3 or 4 cycles, then lessen, but may not fully stop until they're 100%. They will also "get cranky" if you get sick or bad allergy attacks". This is a relief and a concern knowing that it's normal but having the knowledge that it will happen again. Oh well, I'm in the process of getting ready for vacation and that is helping offset the temporary pain of being a girl. July 10, 2009 Today was the end of my monthly hell, and yes ladies I'm lucky it's only three days, either way the extra production of lymph has dropped back to what it was before Wednesday. My nipples are still super sensitive and it is still leaves an awkward feeling if I shift wrong and the pressure changes with my bra. I made the mistake of twisting around to fast, apparently some lymph glued my nipple to my bra and my movement broke the bond. It caused a sharp pinch and I had to stop to readjust my breast inside my bra and check for damages, which thankful there weren't. Once everything is cleaned up they look super cute and healthy. I just have to watch them now because I had an increase in my heart meds today and I want to make sure there are no affects from it. So far the only thing the change has caused is drowsiness. I'll keep you updated as we go. Post/View Comments (0)

Nipples Week Two

2009/07/02 22:29 June 27, 2009 Starting off the second week with a hard bump on my left nipple that is under the skin above the interior ball. I have done several hot compresses that produces the effect of a compress on a pimple causing a milky white substance that is more of the sticky white stuff. I can’t tell at this point if the compresses are helping because you can’t notice the bump until you press the area during a cleaning. My right nipple peeled slightly a few days ago followed by my left yesterday almost like having sunburn. It left the area shiny and smooth just like peeling from to much sun. I haven’t noticed any feeling loss so at this point the peeling doesn’t concern me. The white discharge does so I plan on heading to the walk-in to see if I should start a precautionary dose of antibiotics. June 28, 2009 I did some more research and found that most people that are at the same stage in healing have similar bumps at the entrance/exit holes of their piercing. I have further noticed that I have the same bump like areas at all four sites. The whitish discharge I have also come to believe is simply lymph, I see that even after five years of research there are still something’s that you only figure out post-piercing. The shiny smooth areas have started to return to normal again and the bumps have receded a bit for the moment. My piercings change day to day and I feel a little crazy sometimes because I go to sleep with a concern and when I wake up it is gone or nearly gone. I also checked the threading for each piercing for the first time today. I know I should have checked up on it sooner but I was sort of afraid to mess around with the beads. The left one didn’t budge in either direction but the right one did loosen when turned so I tighten it up and will check them both daily paying special attention to that one. I am very pleased that my piercer had her jeweler soldered one ball in place on each barbell. This leaves me with an easier job of tightening as well as less cost heaven forbid I loose a ball being the expense of 14kt gold. June 29, 2009 So excited! I wore a real bra for the first time since I’ve had my nipples done. I bought it yesterday because it is 100% cotton and isn’t lacy so there is not threat of a snare but it has hooks and cups. There is a complete difference too, the sports bras are meant to compress your chest to minimize bouncing which in turn presses on the piercing and doesn’t give a comfort zone for nipples to get hard freely. With the bra there is still adequate support while still allowing some breathing room. Just a word of advice, when you decide to make the switch watch what you’re doing; oh my goodness, when I put it on and went to pop the cup over my right breast I nailed my nipple with my hand and it killed so bad for a minute. I still plan to sleep in a sports bra for overnight support, but dayside if I’m not doing anything vigorous real bras are my pick. June 30, 2009 Ok so now I have realized that I have the shiny bump at every hole except the exterior left nipple one. My right nipple hasn’t caused me any issues other an then the little bump like apparatuses. I have noticed though that on the rare occasion that my nipples go completely flaccid, with I assume happens when I sleep more frequently, the jewelry is slightly hooded by the skin of my nipple/areola. I never noticed it before because my nipples start to harden as soon as I move the bra to look. The worse thing that has cropped up at the moment is that my left nipple has started this strobe like shooting pain that only lasts a second or two and comes a few times through out the day. I have contacted my piercer in regards to this as well as sending her a photo of the bump for further review. Tomorrow with hopefully bring me answers. July 1, 2009 Dried lymph that has broken off and gotten into the hole of the piercing is the culprit for my pain. I sort of suspected this was the issue but my piercer has ensured me that this is in fact the problem. She told me to switch from H2Ocean to SSS 2-3 times a day. I have started this and so far no strobe shooting just a general soreness with compression or cleaning. The look great other an then the crust slight peeling. I was afraid for a moment that there might be and infection but after a quick sniff there is no odor at all so I am in the clear. July 2, 2009 I feel like we are playing which nipple hurts today, the real game. So at first I was having issues with my first nipple, nothing to major just concerns at best. My right nipple started this burning aching Oh my god don't touch it or even think about it pain today. Any movement that caused my breast to shift the wrong way or cause my nipple to brush against my bra shot pain through me.I switched back to a sports bra but this one has a racer back and I find that the pressure feels different in a good way. The pain in my nipple was to much because I had room to move more. After avoiding it as much as I could during the day I did a cleaning. After finishing I soaked it in plain hot water, when that was done the majority of the discomfort is gone. Before the hot soak I couldn't even touch the area to clean without horrible pain. No I can spin the barbell with minimal issues, there is still a slight sting but nothing like the hell it was dayside. Post/View Comments (0)

Nipples Week One

2009/06/24 22:31 June 19, 2009 So I’m one day out from getting my nipples pierced. My first entry really covered my journey leading up to and the wonderful experience of getting this done. Now comes the real journey, the healing process that I can say is more of and event then the actual piercing procedure. Before heading to bed yesterday I decided to change the pads from the initial piercing being there was blood on both, I didn’t clean them as I was instructed to start this morning. I saw that my right nipple was swollen and the balls where pressing into the piercing holes pretty tight so I emailed my piercer how to minimize it and how to effectively get all the dried blood of the balls. I headed to bed, falling asleep on my side and woke up this morning on my stomach. I was nervous to look being I was told not to sleep with my body weight on the piercing but to my surprise the swelling was all but gone and there was absolutely no blood touching the pads. My first cleaning with the H2Ocean with an interesting experience. I washed both hands and placed a clean towel under one breast. I doused the 1st one in the spray and then did the same to a q-tip. As I cleaned around each ball getting all the blood off both my areola, nipple and jewelry I had an odd tingle/soreness happening but it was nothing to major. I repeated the procedure with the second piercing and it was uneventful. I replaced the pads and did up my sports bra and started the day. I started to feel a general soreness from there on out for the rest of my day. I took it easy until my 8-month-old nephew came over and actually faired pretty well with a squirming baby. It was my puppy that gave me my 1st dose of pain. I picked her up to go out side and she wiggled hitting my right nipple, I felt like I got flicked in the nipple and almost dropped her. It only lasted 2 seconds but it was a horrible 2 seconds. I started to feel like the pressure from the bra was too much after that so I retired to my room for some breathing time and let my breast sit in the open air. I found out this was as helpful as much as it was useless. When I reclined on my bed my chest felt super heavy so I went to sit back up. Big mistake, without the support of the bra the bottom of my breast pulled and hurt. I was and awkward pain more then and ouch pain but it was not pleasant either way. I took the pads out of the equation so there was less pressure and redid up my bra. After sitting for a bit and reading I didn’t even feel the piercing. I decided to clean my room and it went well until I got careless and didn’t heed my piercers warning of always being aware of my piercing. I heaved a heavy box into my arms and it slammed into my chest and I dropped to the floor. It felt like I got the wind knocked out of me and my nipples where so sore I almost cried. I let my body tame the worse of it and got to my feet so I could assess the damage. Thankfully there was none so lesson learned. The rest of the day played out and I just finished my second cleaning of the day and am pleased to say there was hardly any blood. I have decided to wear the nursing pads only at night as a precaution for at least the 1st 4-5 nights. I feel an all over soreness that is comparable to the feeling you get in your arm after having an immunization shot; general soreness and weakness of the entire area. Oh I also found out the hard way that chills don’t mesh well with freshly pierced nipples because that hurt something awful, not so bad I couldn’t function but bad enough that I had to walk around a store pressing my hands to my chest to give more pressure. This being said I have no intentions of letting anyone run their hand across my back, arm or any other body part for that matter until the sore tender feeling subsides. Ok, well I’m off to bed for night #2; I hope this one goes as well as my last. June 20, 2009 Woke up this morning feeling great, no pain, and no sensation that would make me aware of my new piercing until I got up to do my morning cleaning. As I unwrapped the pressure release caused a soreness to shoot through my entire breast, which continued pretty solidly through the day. I do have to say that there was hardly and discharge with made me happy and they look healthy and not irritated which is a plus. The cleaning was tender and I’m making up for the lack of sensation during the actual piercing. I wanted to ensure that I didn’t loose the sensation in my nipples so during my cleaning I ran the tip of a q-tip across my nipples and I definitely didn’t lose sensation. I helped watch my nephew, which didn’t jostle my nipples much until he took a header into a bucket and split his lip. My instant reaction was to jump to coddle him and the fast movement wasn’t exactly a pleasant sensation. Luckily, I had the advantage of resting the ice bag for my nephews face across my chest so he cold lay on me for comfort. Killed two birds with one stone there. Then my puppy pounced me thankfully my reflexes are good and I blocked her paw from a near hit. Being the weather is kind of off and on we have all the windows open in my house and a wind kicked up and caused me to get a quick chill. My nipples started burning because they got hard pretty fast as they are super sensitive to any breeze on my body. I went to inspect them and found a red bruise like discoloration on my left nipple. It almost looks what you’d expect when you pinch you skin in a door or clasp. Its on the actual nipple just above the exterior ball so I emailed my piercer to find out if it’s OK. I just completed my nightly cleaning, which was ok other and then the fact that I had indentations from the lactation pads. I have decided to discontinue using them all together as of now because I have no discharge that is going past my skin and ball area. I placed a tissue in my sports bra just as a precaution tonight. If I wake up with no discharge I will abandon all collection efforts. Slightly more sore today but still happy with my decision. June 21, 2009 Not much to report today, the bruising has started to disappear and the soreness has subsided. I only experienced temporary tenderness during and after both cleanings. I did notice that the skin right at the entry and exit points has a sticky like appearance when cleaning the jewelry. It almost looked like pulling gum off your hand when I shifted the balls away to be cleaned. I woke up with no pain and cried out the day with relatively no notice of the piercing at all. The only time my nipples pinched was when I took a sharp turn in my car and wrenched my arms across my chest or when I trying to stretch for a yawn. Nothing major so as of now it looks like the healing is coming along beautifully. June 22, 2009 I did my first Sea Salt Soak or SSS today because I hadn’t done one year and I wanted to see if it would impact the ‘sticky’ skin I experienced yesterday and still have now. It was interesting sitting in my living room with a shot glass of hot salt water pressed over each nipple chatting with my mom and friend. Basically, you dissolve a ¼ teaspoon of Sea Salt in a shot glass or Dixie cup of warm to hot water and affix one to each nipple for 5-10 minutes or until the water cools. For me there was a slight tingle the first few moments and then nothing but slowly fading warmth. I didn’t really notice a difference between soaking and using the H2Ocean spray other and then I didn’t experience the discomfort of using the q-tip. When I finished my soak I did go back and clean them up with the spray and q-tip just to get the little bit of lymph off the beads. The SSS didn’t affect the ‘sticky’ skin which leads me to believe that it is just part of the healing process. I did however contact my piercer just to verify. I have come to realize just how sensitive the areola/nipple area is in the past 5 days though. Everything I have used as a pad or barrier between my nipple and my bra has left and indent on my breast. I started placing a small square of sterile gauze over my nipples just to give a small barrier effort. It is probably completely unnecessary but it makes me feel better knowing it’s there. Even the small gauze leaves a marking on my areola area from the pressure of the sports bra. I guess you learn something new every day. June 23, 2009 So the nasty lymph crusties begin. I took a nice hot show this morning avoiding applying soap directly to my piercings as well as paying close attention to not catching my scrubby on my jewelry; that is a disaster I’d rather avoid. Either way, my piercings felt great after my 45-minute shower and the jewelry sparkled like it did before my piercer took it out of the autoclave bag. However throughout out the day the lymph discharge took shape around both my piercing edges and the jewelry. I did not realize this until I lifted my 30-pound nephew and felt a horrible ripping sensation. I finished what I was doing and promptly retreated to check the damage. I found a bright red sore on the exterior hole of my right nipple and a pink and white sore on the interior hole of my left nipple. No blood and no residual pain but the balls where covered in lymph discharge. The rest of the day went without a hitch because I played it safe. When I went to do my nightly cleaning, I sprayed the H2Ocean on the first nipple and let it sit for a few seconds before going to working cleaning it with a doused q-tip. The spray actually appeared to act like peroxide in the fact that it slightly bubbled and when I started to clean most of what was hardened came away without and issue. Then some of the lymph appeared to trail out of the piercing like a string. Interesting as this all is, it’s the part of piercings I hate, the ugly stage. When cleaned they look great but in between its not so pretty. Oh I also found out that my nipples, despite what everyone thought, are super sensitive more then before the piercing. Lets just hope this sensitivity stays because it’s awesome. I also contacted Georgina to double check my heal time and exactly what size my barbells are for future purchasing reference. My barbell size is 12 ga that is 9/16” with 3/16” beads and my official heal time is 9-12 months because of my need for gold June 24, 2009 Tomorrow marks the one-week birthday for my nipples and I have to say I still love them. I may not particularly love the healing process but I love the look and completeness it gives me. I find the nasty lymph collection and sticky attach to the ball thing increasing as I go and I know that this is because my body is attempting to heal around a foreign object that at the moment it isn’t a fan of. There is really nothing new to report so I think I am going to start doing weekly updates rather then daily. I will however make sooner updates if something major occurs while I hope doesn’t happen. Post/View Comments (0)

Journy to My Nipple Piercings

2009/06/18 22:34 My reflection is different then it was 8 hours ago, why you ask? Well, I finally went through with something I have been wanting for over 5 years. Why the long wait? Horror stories, scare tactics and a lack of state regulations left me feeling uneasy offering up my delicate parts to a stranger with a needle. This fact is something that hindered my yearning for my nipples to be pierced until now. But before I get into that let me give you a little background before I jump in. Connecticut is one of many states that doesn't regulate its piercing community which is a red flag to anyone that wants a piercer that is not only great but has the background in blood born pathogens, sterilization and professionalism that is key to the health and overall success of a piercing. There are many tattoo shops and stores that let the piercer sit on the back burner as an after thought in a cramped room without sufficient means to be clean and through. Piercing is an art to be considered just as much as tattooing and some piercers deserve much respect for their work. As a wise woman told me, unfortunately with the lack of regulations and supervision in the piercing world, a bum in an ally with a safety pin is acceptable as a piercer if you're willing to pay him to do it. She also said that just because you aren't regulated doesn't mean you shouldn't go the extra mile and get certified by the few companies and agencies that help keep places in check. I had all but given up my search for a reputable piercer when I stumbled upon the APP (Association of Professional Piercers). This is an association that holds its partners and members to a stringent code of cleanliness, professionalism and requires certification in CPR and Blood Born Pathogens, which is something that I personally felt, is extremely important. As I looked through the site learning more about the piercing I wanted I came to the page for members. I crossed my fingers and clicked CT and pow, right there was what I was looking for. Black Diamond Body Piercing, the only Connecticut shop that has taken the extra effort to ensure their clients they have what it takes and they care enough about their craft to go the extra mile. I began my web search into the shop and the sole owner and piercer Georgina Williamson. She has been piercing for 13 years, previously working at a local tattoo shop and then venturing off on her own. She won the Advocates Best of Hartford 2009 Readers Poll for Body Piercing and supports her local artists by displaying/selling their art on her walls. After a week of further research I contacted Georgina telling her of my desire for my nipples to be done and my special requirements due to a metal allergy. She responded within 48 hours with answers for all my questions as well as some advice for the big day. We kept in consistent contact for the 2 weeks it took for my jewelry to come in, me asking questions and apologizing for so many and her responding and assuring me it was no problem for her to answer all of my concerns. Being her shop is just over an hour away from my home I couldn't just drop in for a consult so we discussed everything via email. Georgina was extremely professional and helped ease any pre-piercing concerns. The day of my appointment I brought a long my support group of my 3 closest friends, chatting about my concerns about pain and my impending vacation 4 weeks away. When we got to the shop Georgina greeted everyone and welcomed us all into her light blue shop with both amazing art and incredible custom jewelry. She was very kind and considerate and her shop was spotless. She has a clean room for all her sterilization where nothing but her autoclave is contained. She brought my 2 friends and me into a spacious room that was brightly lit with more artwork as she explained a little more to us. She asked me if I'd prefer to sit or lay down (I chose to lay) for the actually piercing and said it was ok for my friends to switch off for each nipple. She placed black gloves on before she touched anything and then cleaned the area to be pierced, marked me and helped me lay back. The entire time she asked me if I was ok and how I was feeling and keeping a light banter with my friends, which eased my mind. Now for the Big Part... She clamped my right nipple first which I didn't even feel told me to take a deep breath and then...nothing. It didn't even hurt and ounce. 5 years of concerns and nothing, just a sensation like my nipple got hard to fast so it was tender. I almost laughed when she said it's in because I thought she was joking. When she reset for my left nipple and my friends traded off I figured ok, my adrenalin is down so this one is going to hurt. Same procedure nothing from the clamp and bam, nothing from the piercing. Like magic, I had my piercing and none of the anticipated pain that is supposed to come with it. Georgina helped me up and off of the table and cleaned up the little bit of blood and told me to take a look at my new additions. I loved them; super cute 12 gauge 14 kt gold barbells adorning my breasts. She offered to wrap me with some bandages but I had come prepared with lactation pads that she had told me would help with the lymph and blood while I healed. I got dressed and we all left for the waiting room. We chatted some more about the healing process and she gave me a can of H2Ocean spray as I paid. My friends all had questions about other piercings and Georgina took them all and gave them every answer she could. Before we left my friends all made plans for us to venture back for them to all get a new or additional piercing. We all departed talking about Black Diamond Body Piercings professionalism and amazing shop. I know I am impressed and will refer everyone I know to Georgina or to the APP for his or her local area. I know I'm only a few hours out and the true test is when daily life resumes but I can definitely say that I am more then pleased with my choice to get pierced. If you're going to do it, make sure to do your research and find someone that respects the craft of piercing as much as you respect your self. Post/View Comments (0)