Aftercare for your new nipple piercing!

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NIPPLE PIERCING AFTERCARE

HISTORY

Roman Centurions wore leather armour breast plates which were shaped to fit the body and rings were sometimes placed in these breastplates where the nipples appeared to be, the rings were used to hang a cape from. This has led to the belief by some people that the actual nipples were pierced to hang a cape from, but anybody who has had their nipples pierced would tell you that this would be a very uncomfortable practice.

"In the middle of the 14th century...Many women suddenly wore 'such low necklines that you could see nearly half their breasts', and among the upper classes in the same century, Queen Isabella of Bavaria introduced the 'Garments of the grand neckline', where the dress was open to the navel. This fashion eventually led to the application of rouge to freely displayed nipples, those 'little apples of paradise' and to placing diamond studded rings or small caps on them, even to piercing them and passing gold chains through them decorated with diamonds" "Dreamtime" Hans Peter Duerr

In the late 1890s the 'Bosom Ring', came into fashion briefly, and sold in expensive Parisian jewelry shops. These 'Anneux De Sein' were inserted through the nipple, and some women wore on either side linked with a delicate chain. The rings enlarged the nipples and kept them in a state of constant excitation...the medical community was outraged by these cosmetic procedures, for they represented a rejection of traditional conceptions of the purpose of a woman's body." "Anatomy & Destiny" Stephen Kern

"For a long time I could not understand why I should consent to such a painful operation without sufficient reason. I soon, however came to the conclusion that many ladies are ready to bear the passing pain for the sake of love. I found that the breasts of those who wore rings were incomparably rounder and fuller developed than those who did not. My doubts were now at an end...so I had my nipples pierced, and when the wounds were healed, I had rings inserted...with regard to the experience of wearing these rings, I can only say that they are not in the least uncomfortable or painful. On the contrary, the slight rubbing and slipping of the rings causes in me an extremely titillating feeling, and all my colleagues I have spoken to on this subject have confirmed my opinion." London socialite writing in "Vogue" 1890

Nipple piercing was once practiced by the Karankawa indians of Texas adn is still practiced in the Mountains of Algeria, by women of the nomadic Kabyle tribe. In the west nipple piercing has made a resurgence, with many famous people having their nipples pierced ie. Lenny Kravitz, Jaye Davidson (The Crying Game), Gerry Connelly (Comedian), Tommy Lee (Drummer Motley Crue- Husband of Pamela Stephenson Baywatch) and Axl Rose (Guns & Roses).

BENEFITS

The benefits of having your nipple pierced are the same today as they were for the fashionable ladies of Paris and London in the 1890s. It makes the nipples larger, more sensitive, more sexually attractive, and provides a constant stimulation of the nipples, one friend of mine describes his nipple piercing as "a lightswitch for an erection". Nipple piercing is very effective for increasing the size of small nipples (especially men's), and can stop nipples from becoming inverted by pulling them out. In fact, it was recommended by doctors in Victorian England to increase the size of the nipples to make breastfeeding easier. It provides greater sexual pleasure because it gives your partner something to play with during sex.

HEALING

Nipples usually take approximately 6-10 weeks to heal, and they usually heal without any problems. Your nipple will be slightly tender to the touch for several days after the piercing, but this will gradually go away. However, your nipples will always be more sensitive so don't be too rough with them during sex.

Until the scar tissue develops fully, the piercing can easily be torn, the ring will never be actually torn out, just a very small tear usually occurs on the side of the wound. If this happens after the piercing is healed, you will have to treat the piercing as a wound again, or you could develop an infection.

A small amount of people sometimes develop a cyst or lump behind the piercing, this is usually harmless but it should be examined immediately by a physician.

Proper aftercare of nipple piercing's is essential, because if you develop an infection it can pass down the Lactiferous or milk ducts in the breast and infect the axillary lymph nodes under the arm-pit. An infection in the nipple can become serious in a very short space of time. The signs of infection will be any excessive pain, swelling, a large lump in the breast, thick yellow pus coming from the wound, or any excessive redness around the wound. If you think you may have an infection, return and see me or see a physician immediately.

Doctors are pretty conservative, and will probably tell you to remove the ring from the wound, don't do this because the ring allows any infection to come out of the wound. However, infections are very rare and always respond quickly to antibiotics.

JEWELRY

There is a wide range of jewelry available for the piercing of nipples; the most common being the Surgical steel ring. For the initial healing period I believe that barbells or D-rings are superior because they heal quicker because they move less and because the part of the jewelry going through the piercing is straight there is less pressure on the wound. This is more important for women or men with larger nipples because of the depth of the wound.

You can have rings in Surgical Steel, Gold plated Steel, solid 18ct Gold or White Gold. Rings can be decorated with beads, Gold or crystal balls and pendants. You can also wear Steel or gold-plated steel circular barbells (ring with two ball).

DO's & DON'Ts TO HEAL YOUR NIPPLE PIERCING

THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR INFECTION IS TOUCHING AND PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING, ONLY TOUCH THE PIERCING WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING IT!

DO remove the bandage after 4-5 hours and have a shower immediately. Cup your hand under the piercing and soak it with water for 3-4 minutes, or have a good soak in the bath. There may be some coagulated blood, don't be alarmed this is normal and will wash of easily. If any blood is dried on the jewelry remove it in the shower with a wet cotton wool bud. Don't use the cleaning solution for 24 hours.
DO use a mild antibacterial soap (containing Triclosan), in the shower (once a day only!). Cup your hand under the piercing and soak it for 1-2 minutes, then put 1-2 drops (no more!) of the cleaning solution in your hand, lather it and apply gently to your nipple piercing. Leave the lather on for 1 minute, then soak the piercing once again and wash thoroughly to remove all the solution. Leaving the solution on the skin can cause irritation!
DO dissolve half a teaspoon of sea-salt or table-salt in a quarter of a cup of boiling water. Let this cool a little, then place in a clean glass or medicine cup and lie down with it upturned on your nipple for 10-15 minutes, once or twice a day. You can also use Saline solution (available at any chemist). Rinse with fresh fresh water and dry thoroughly with a clean tissue afterwards. This process is the best way to promote healing, and the more you do it the quicker your piercing will heal.
DO make sure when washing to remove all the crusting, if it's not cleaned off properly it can concrete around the ring and tear the inside of the wound when the ring moves, this can be painful and lead to inflammation and delayed healing. Secondly, if it's not removed bacteria can feed on it and infect the wound.
DO continue to use anti-bacterial soap after your free bottle runs out , we can sell you a replacement bottle for $3 or you can use Phisohex or Sapoderm soap available at any chemist or supermarket. Neglecting to use anti-bacterial soap for the full healing period will result in infection.
DO make sure that you dry your nipple thoroughly after cleaning, this should be done by patting (not rubbing) dry with a paper tissue as towels can harbor bacteria.
DO use Lavender oil as it promotes healing and lubricates the wound reducing tenderness. Apply a small amount with a cotton-wool bud after cleaning then move the jewelry gently so it gets into the wound. Remove any excess with a tissue as leaving it on can cause the skin to become irritated. It may be purchased at supermarkets (medicine section) or at chemists and must be marked (BP) or medicinal grade.
DO Continue to apply a drop or two of lavender oil once a week after the piercing is healed or the wound can become tight and dry.
DO use anti-bacterial soap after going swimming in the ocean or public pools.
DO make sure that you wash the piercing carefully with water after exercising or sweating a lot, as sweat acts like acid and can cause the wound to become aggravated.
DO be careful if you play contact sports or do manual labor not to tear the piercing by knocking it accidentally. When playing sport you can use sticking plaster to protect the piercing, but this must be removed immediately after you finish and the wound washed carefully.
DO wear a bra to bed at night to stop the jewelry being knocked about during sleep in the healing phase. Men can use surgical tape (available at chemists). Don't bandage it in the daytime as this can increase the chance of infection.
DO try to give the piercing some sunshine as it helps the body produce Vitamin D which helps promote healing. It also helps dry the wound and minimize infections.
DO take B-vitamins with a Zinc supplement as this helps promote healing.
DON'T allow your partner to play roughly with the piercing for the first 2-3 weeks, and never allow your partner to suck on the piercing until it is healed, as the bacteria in the mouth can cause a nasty infection.
DON'T turn the ring in the piercing for the first 3-4 weeks, move it very gently and only enough to remove the crusting, after that you can turn it enough for cleaning. Moving the ring constantly aggravates the wound and delays healing.
DON'T pick at the scab as this will cause excessive scar tissue formation and may lead to infections.
DON'T put your wallet in your breast pocket, as the weight and constant movement will aggravate the piercing.
DON'T wear lacy bras as they catch the jewelry and aggravate the piercing, plain or sports bras are more comfortable.
DON'T use Methylated Spirits, or alcohol on the piercing as they are very astringent and can damage the wound, don't use Hydrogen peroxide or Betadine because they destroys the cells that form scar tissue, Don't use creams or ointments as they keep the wound moist and hamper the healing process.
DON'T remove the ring because you will lose the piercing. Don't replace the jewelry with a sleeper because the sharp hinges can tear the inside of the wound resulting in infection, and it increases the chance of the piercing growing out. Silver sleepers are especially dangerous, as the silver oxidises in the wound which can cause allergic reactions and "Argyria" a permanent black mark inside the wound.
DON'T try to remove the ball from the ring yourself, you need a circlip plier to do this and if you attempt to do it yourself you will probably damage the ring or not be able to get the ball back in the ring. If you wish to change the jewelry see me or another piercer to do it for you.
DON'T bandage the wound to protect it from dirt if you work in a dusty environment, it must have fresh air to heal properly. Try to wash the piercing with fresh clean water whenever you have a break or go to the toilet, but don't touch the piercing with dirty hands, as this can cause infections.

BREASTFEEDING

In the late 19th century English doctors advised women with small or inverted nipples to have them pierced, in order to make breastfeeding easier. According to many women that I have pierced, and anecdotal evidence from other women that have had their nipples pierced, it has no discernable effect on nipple piercing. There are approximately 20-30 milk ducts in the average female nipple, piercing cuts 3-4 at most so there are plenty left to enable you to breastfeed.

If your nipples are pierced and you wish to breastfeed there are several things you can do. You can remove the jewelry altogether and replace it after you finish breastfeeding, you can wear circular barbells which are easily inserted and removed at will (however this may cause tenderness), or you can wear barbells which allow the baby to breastfeed without any difficulty.