Nipple Piercing--Saline not Betadine

Nipple Piercing
(Health Article)
I just wanted to pass on some advise to all of you who have or are considering getting your nipples pierced. I had two unsuccessful attempts with mine. In both cases, I was told to use betadine to clean them with and was even given a small bottle of it. My freshly pierced nipples were swabbed with it right after the piercing as well. This stuff burns like crazy and was actually worse than the needle going through my nipples. Not knowing any better, I attempted to clean them as I had been instructed. In both cases, the healing was painful and after a few days, I could no longer take it and would take my jewelry out. I still wanted to be pierced though and finally made the decision to have them both done and tough it out if necessary. I was out of town at the time, so I drove around until I found a tattoo parlor. Going inside, I saw they had a wide selection of jewelry in the case and the shop was very clean…which made me feel good. I inquired about getting both my nipples pierced. I was told it would run $60 for both of them…not a bad price. Then the bad news…the piercing room wasn’t ready and it would be about an hour. They asked if I could come back. I reluctantly agreed and took the time to grab a bite to eat. I almost chickened out, but told myself, “No, I’m going through with it!” When I returned, the room was ready. I removed my shirt and he examined my nipples and prepared to mark them. He saw there was some scarring on my left one and asked me if I had used betadine on them. I told him that I had done so and was instructed to clean them with it. He said to use saline instead. Saline is natural and your body accepts it better and it keeps infections down and doesn’t cause scarring. Made sense to me! He pierced my left one first since it would probably be the worst…it was! The second one wasn’t near as bad. I cleaned them with saline as instructed and had no problem with the healing at all. I’ve had them for over two years now and have stretched them from 14 gauge to 8 gauge. I love my nipple rings and am so happy I found someone who told me how to properly care for them.
BTW…about 6 months after I had my nipples done, a girlfriend and I were visiting New Orleans. She loved my rings and wanted to get her done too. I had told her to use saline…no matter what they told her. We found a tattoo parlor and the piercer told her to use saline….NOT betadine. I knew we had found a good one at that point. Her nipples healed with no problems either.
If you are considering getting your nipples pierced, I would highly recommend it. The hardest thing is to not play with them while they are healing…the temptation is tough…but it is worth the wait.