Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Nipple Piercings (From Pain to Pleasure)
Chances are you know someone with a nipple piercing. They are becoming increasingly popular, and we can see why. They’re stylish, make you stand out (literally), and have some added benefits in the bedroom. 👀
But these infamous piercings have a bit of a bad rep. From horror stories to slut shaming, you won’t be short of opinions on them.
Thinking of taking the plunge? This blog will take you through everything you need to know about nipple piercings, from pain level to aftercare.
Nipple Piercings: FAQs
Still on the fence about nipple piercings? Get all the essential facts on them right here.
Why Do People Get Nipple Piercings?
People get their nipples pierced for a whole host of reasons. For aesthetics, cultural reasons, or to boost sexual arousal.
Piercing your nipples can increase their sensitivity. After having their nipples pierced, people report more intense levels of arousal when they are touched, even some being able to achieve orgasm from this alone.
Others are proud of their chests and enjoy being able to show off their nipple piercings through their clothing. For some it is an act of appreciation and body positivity. They also look quite cool. 💁♀️
How Much Do Nipple Piercings Cost?
Prices will vary depending on the studio you go to, but from a professional a nipple piercing can cost you anywhere between $30 and $100.
Is There More Than One Kind of Nipple Piercing?
Yes! The most common form of nipple piercing is a horizontal piercing. You can actually get your nipples pierced in a number of ways. Here are just some other examples:
- Vertical piercings
- Diagonal piercings
- Cross shape - usually horizontal piercing in front and vertical one behind
- X shape - two diagonal piercings
- Double horizontal - two parallel bars
How Much Do Nipple Piercings Hurt?
It’s hard to say exactly how much a nipple piercing will hurt as everyone’s pain threshold is different.
However, the nipple is a more sensitive part of the body, so the likelihood is that this will hurt more than getting other parts of your body pierced.
On a pain chart of body piercings, nipple piercings are on the higher end along with genital piercings. It all depends how sensitive your nipples are, some people’s are sensitive enough to cause them to climax. This being said, some people who have had their nipples pierced report no more pain than piercing other parts of the body.
An experienced piercer will perform the procedure quickly to reduce how much it hurts.
Will My Nipple Piercing Affect Breastfeeding?
Getting your nipples pierced can affect your breastfeeding experience. The piercing itself and the jewelery can make it hard for milk to come out, scar tissue potentially blocking the milk ducts.
If you’re planning on breastfeeding, it might be better not to get both nipples pierced. Your baby could have trouble latching onto a pierced nipple, or even swallowing and choking on the jewelery.
If you’re already pregnant or breastfeeding, it might be better to wait few months after you’ve finished breastfeeding until you get your nipples pierced.
Do Nipple Piercings Cause Cancer?
No. There is no proven correlation between nipple piercings and breast cancer. Breast cancer is caused by a mutation of cells in your breast tissue, not by injury or trauma.
That being said, if you notice any irregular lumps, oozing, or bleeding weeks after you’ve had your nipple pierced, do get it checked out by a doctor because it could be infected.
Can Nipple Piercings Cause Infections?
If you feel your piercing is not healing properly, your skin feels hot, or there is yellow, green, or brown colored discharge coming from the wound, call your doctor.
What Kind of Jewelery Can You Use For a Nipple Piercing?
This is where the fun part comes in. There is a whole host of jewelery you can use for your nipple piercing, so get ready to experiment (as soon as they’re fully healed of course 😉.)
Whatever you pick, make sure it's made from sterile, safe materials, like stainless steel or glass.
Here are some of the different kinds of jewelery you can use for a nipple piercing:
- Straight barbells - you can get anything from a simple silver bar, to a fun bejewlled barbell, like these gorgeous pink opal ones.
2. Segment rings - get gold rings, silver rings, gemstone rings. You name it we’ve got it.
3. Circualr barbells - a horseshoe is a classic shape for nipple piercing jewelery. Check out our collection including these green steel barbells.
4. Other shapes - get creative and try out nipple piercing jewelry in range of fun shapes and sizes, like these heart shaped barbells or these tribal steel barbells.
Nipple Piercing Aftercare
It is very important to follow all aftercare protocol that your piercer assigns to ensure a smooth healing process. Your piercer should provide you with aftercare instructions, if not make sure to ask before you leave the studio, or check out our ultimate guide on piercing aftercare.
If you need a refresher, here’s the lowdown on your to look after your nipple piercings to avoid infection and keloids.
How Long Do They Take to Heal?
Nipple piercings on average take longer than other piercings to heal, usually around 12-16 weeks, but they can take up to six months. This is because the site of the piercing doesn’t always stay the same. As soon as you're cold or aroused, your nipples may get bigger and perkier.
So it’s even more important to stick to a consistent aftercare routine while they’re healing.
How Do You Clean a Nipple Piercing?
When it comes to any piercing, following a good aftercare routine is essential for faster and safer healing.
Here are the steps to acing nipple piercing aftercare:
- Wash your hands before you touch your new piercing.
- Clean your nipples with sea salt solution.
- Spray your piercing with a saline solution.
- Avoid immersing the piercing in water. No swimming or going in the bath until it’s fully healed.
Nipple Piercing Risks
Being in a more sensitive part of the body, nipple piercings may be associated with some risks that don’t affect other piercings. Here are the most common risks associated with nipple piercings:
