Expect some bleeding and some crust to form around your piercing as it heals—do not remove the jewelry to clean, because the hole can quickly close. If you plan to get a nipple piercing, Jaliman says infection (bacterial or viral), bruising, and irritation are all possibilities. Before I knew it, I was topless and flat on my back as my piercer, Zoe, poked a pretty long needle through my nipple and left it there while she prepared my jewelry.

The piercing definitely made me more aware of my nipples, and that awareness probably made me more sexually aware as well. Nipples are packed with nerve endings, so be ready for pain,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. Tight clothes can also rub against and irritate the piercing, which can be painful and damage the piercing.It seemed to be just as pointless as my tongue piercing, really, and when I accidentally ripped it out with my bracelet about a year ago—a story I hear is pretty common—I never decided to go back and get it redone. Wear loose-fitting clothing, avoid submerging your nip, and start to gently clean the piercing 3x a day with sterile saline solution. You’ll probably experience pain and inflammation at the piercing site for at least a couple of days. Her instructions: “Make sure you cover any ‘crusties’ (the blood and plasma that dries out around the piercing) completely. Some people have metal allergies: Avoid attaching anything made of nickel to your body, and instead opt for surgical stainless steel, Jaliman says.

This was unhelpful; I waltzed in thinking it wouldn't really hurt, so the pain actually caught me off guard. I actually found that it was less sensitive than my non-pierced nipple, but I guess the fact that it was there to play with made it more erotic. Wash your hands before touching: Dirty hands introduce potentially infection-causing microbes to the wound. Nipple piercing has gained in popularity in the 21st century with a number of celebrities and fashion models having this type of piercing.This is why many piercers will recommend long barbells in your nipple — it lets your nipple tissue swell up without any obstruction. It may seem like you're healed after two months because things look fine from the outside, and then you might be a little less cautious or more rambunctious with it.