All About Nipple Piercings: What Professionals Need to Know

Once a piercing firmly relegated to the realms of alternative fashion, the nipple piercing has crept its way into mainstream popularity. It’s no wonder why; it offers an edgy air, but it can still be easily hidden under a loose t-shirt. Anyone from politicians to college students can rock this style, and those around them would be none the wiser.

You need to be prepared to answer any and all nipple piercing questions. Here’s our guide.

Nipple piercing overview

As the name implies, the nipple piercing appears in the nipples. It’s typically completed horizontally, but it can be pierced vertically, and if the anatomy is correct, some people can even get both horizontal and vertical piercings in the same nipple.

People get their nipples pierced for lots of reasons. Some have inverted nipples that they want to stick out a bit more. Others use piercings as a way to love their bodies after struggling to accept themselves. Still others seek nipple piercings as a form of rebellion; forced to put on a white shirt and tie for their corporate jobs, they find joy in having a hidden piercing under their shirts. However, one of the main reasons to seek out such a piercing is sensation; it can add some playfulness and added pleasure in the bedroom.

Whatever the reason, people love nipple piercings, and we do, too.

Types of nipple piercings

There are three main types of nipple piercings:

• Horizontal nipple piercings
• Vertical nipple piercings
• Cross nipple piercings (a combination of the two in one nipple)

People can get both nipples pierced or just opt for one piercing. It’s also possible to stretch nipple piercings once they have fully healed.

Before the piercing

Nipple piercings are a time investment. Many people claim that their nipples were the hardest piercings to heal. Because of this, you should set up a consultation with any client who’s interested in getting this piercing type.

When making the appointment, confirm whether they want one or two piercings. If they want both nipples pierced, talk to them about getting one pierced at a time. Because nipples have a difficult healing period, it’s often easier to focus on healing each one individually.

If they want to get multiple piercings in one nipple, it can be done, but only after the first piercing has fully healed.

Before you conduct the piercing, you should thoroughly analyse their anatomy. While most nipples can be pierced as long as their skin is pliable, everyone’s anatomy is different and will therefore require unique placement. It must be situated so that it’s visually appealing and able to heal properly. Determining the perfect placement takes skill to understand. Before you offer nipple piercings as part of your services, conduct plenty of supervised piercings to ensure that you are confident in your skills.

It’s also important to note that the nipples can be much more sensitive during menstruation. Plan the appointment time accordingly.

Nipple piercing procedure

Once you’ve had your consultation, it’s time to conduct the piercing!

First and foremost, you should ensure that your client is comfortable at all times. Take them to a private area, consistently check in, and complete the piercing professionally. It can be an awkward experience for your client, so do whatever you can to make them feel safe.

They will have to be fully topless for the procedure, as you will need to see where the chest naturally falls for proper placement. Make sure your client is aware of this before you begin so they can mentally prepare.

You can complete the piercing either using forceps or a freehand method, depending on preference. If you’re piercing both nipples in a single session, some piercers offer tandem services—two piercers piercing both nipples at once—to make the process faster, thereby minimising discomfort.

In terms of pain, nipple piercings are usually placed at the higher end of the pain scale, although the pain level of this piercing type varies more than other types. While some people will place it at a 6-7/10, others claim it’s 10/10. At the end of the day, it comes down to each individual’s anatomy and ability to handle pain.

How long do nipple piercings take to heal?

Nipple piercings can take an exceptionally long time to heal, and the healing period varies greatly depending on the size and shape of the nipple and adherence to aftercare.

• Nipples less than 10mm in width can take 3 – 4 months or longer.
• Nipples larger than 10mm in width can take 6 – 9 months or longer.

It’s common for nipple piercings to experience a nonlinear healing period. Things like clothing tightness, movement in the area, and hormones from menstruation all contribute to flair-ups of healing symptoms like fluid secretion, tenderness, and swelling.

It’s a common complaint among piercees that their nipple piercing takes forever to heal. Before your clients get pierced, make sure that they know they aren’t facing an easy healing period. Anecdotally, many piercees claim that it was their hardest piercing to heal.

Nipple piercing aftercare

Nipple piercings are touchy during healing. But there are some things that you can do to try and make healing go as smoothly as possible.

Most importantly, you must clean your piercing 2 – 3 times daily with a piercing aftercare saline solution. You can do this a few different ways, depending on preference:

• Spray the entry and exit holes directly with aftercare spray and let dry.
• Spray a clean paper towel with aftercare solution and gently clean the entry and exit points of the piercing.
• Fill a small cup with saline solution and soak the piercing for a few minutes.

Your clients may need to play around with the different methods to see what works best for them.

Here are some other aftercare rules to follow to help the healing process.

• Wear a snug-fitting t-shirt or sports bra beneath your clothing to keep the jewellery as still as possible. Make sure that it’s not too tight; it should keep the jewellery still without placing too much pressure on the piercing.
• Do not wear lacy or mesh shirts or undergarments until the piercing has fully healed. These can easily snag on the jewellery and cause issues.
• Keep the piercing as dry as possible during healing. After working out, make sure that you gently dab the piercing area dry and immediately change into clean, dry clothes.
• Avoid any products besides piercing aftercare solution. These include sunscreen, lotion, and tea tree oil.
• Do not touch or play with the jewellery during healing, and avoid having a partner do so as well.
• No swimming pools, hot tubs, or other water activities.

Risks, complications, and side effects

As with all piercings, there are complications that your client needs to be aware of. Here are the most common associated with nipple piercings.

• Post-piercing nipple development: In some cases, the areola may change in shape and appearance after getting pierced. This is sometimes mistaken as swelling, except that it doesn’t go away. For most people, it doesn’t pose an issue. It’s just something to be aware of. As a piercer, you should make sure that you place the piercing properly so that any post-piercing nipple development doesn’t result in a lop-sided look.
• Increased sensation: Nipple piercings may also increase the sensation in the nipples. This may be the preferred result, depending on the client, but it’s also something that they should be aware of before getting pierced.
• Piercing infection: All piercings are susceptible to infection, even if the piercee does everything right. The best way to avoid infection is to keep the piercing clean and dry and wear clean clothing. Symptoms of an infection include skin that’s warm to the touch, tenderness around the piercing site, swelling, green or yellow discharge, and a general feeling of unwellness. If your client suspects that they have a piercing infection, they should seek medical attention immediately.
• Visibility: Nipple piercings can be visible beneath the clothing depending on the nipple jewellery and the tightness of the clothes. While clients may enjoy the aesthetic, it’s not ideal in some settings. They can minimise visibility by choosing flush-fitting, smaller jewellery pieces, wearing extra padding (like a bra) over their nipples, or opting for loose-fitting shirts.
• Snags and tears: Nipple piercing jewellery can snag while changing clothing or partaking in certain activities. This could tear the tissue, cause discomfort, or prolong healing. Piercees should take extra care to avoid this issue.

Nipple piercing jewellery

There are three main styles of jewellery for nipple piercings: nipple bars (aka straight barbells), hoop styles (such as circular barbells, seamless hoops, and clickers), and nipple shields.

Fresh nipple piercings are limited in the types of jewellery they can wear. New nipple piercings are typically pierced at 14G minimum. Although some professionals will fill a fresh nipple piercing with a hoop, others recommend a nipple bar, as the latter style is less likely to snag.

In terms of materials, 316L surgical steel and G23 titanium are the most common for new piercings. Both are inexpensive, lightweight, non-corrosive, and hypoallergenic. The biggest difference between them is that surgical steel may contain trace amounts of nickel while titanium has none.

14k or 18k gold is suitable to wear in fresh piercings, but most choose to wait to invest in these materials until the piercing has successfully healed. This is especially important in nipple piercings, since the healing period is difficult, and some clients may choose to abandon their piercing halfway through the healing process.

Once the piercing has healed, your clients can wear a wider range of jewellery materials, including acrylic, gold-plated jewellery, and more. They can also start wearing nipple shields or nipple bars with dangles on them. Keep in mind that shields and dangles are meant for short term wear only, as the added weight can pull against the piercing holes.

Nipple piercings are also able to be stretched, which means that you should consider stocking up on wholesale nipple jewellery that’s a larger gauge.

Fake nipple jewellery is also a great option to stock up on. It may seem counterintuitive to supply non-piercing jewellery in a piercing studio, but fake nipple rings can be a great way to keep a customer even if they decide against getting their nipples pierced. Fake piercing jewellery can also give customers a chance to try out a nipple piercing before committing to the lengthy healing period.

Buy wholesale nipple jewellery here!

If you want to offer the best and most unique nipple piercing jewellery to your clients, you’ve found it here! We have a wide range of nipple bars, hoops, shields, and non-piercing jewellery that your customers will love.

Besides our huge range, we’re also available to talk about creating any design you might have in mind. Just give us a call, and we’ll see what we can do!

We’ve been providing wholesale piercing jewellery and materials to piercers all over the world and the UK for over 20 years. We take your customers’ safety seriously and place quality control over everything. Our products adhere to the standards of the UK and the EU, so you don’t have to worry; just choose the jewellery you know your customers will love, and we’ll do the rest!

We offer wholesale nipple jewellery with internal threading, individually packaged EO gas sterilized options, in bulk or for individual orders, and more. Be sure to check it out!

Nipple piercing FAQs

Can you breastfeed with nipple piercings?

You can breastfeed with nipple piercings as long as they’re fully healed. However, it’s highly recommended that you take out your jewellery when you breastfeed so that your child doesn’t choke. You should also thoroughly clean your nipples between feedings as milk can get stuck in the piercing holes. It’s important to note, however, that you shouldn’t get a new piercing if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

How long after getting your nipples pierced can you play with them?

You should wait to play with your nipple piercings until they have fully healed and a piercer has confirmed it. Depending on the size of your nipple, this can take up to nine months or longer.

Can I pump with nipple rings in?

You can pump with nipple rings in. Just be sure that no loose pieces fall out and into the milk. Many people choose to take out their jewellery before pumping for comfort and safety concerns.

Is there a risk of losing sensation?

It’s almost unheard of to lose sensation after getting a nipple piercing. In fact, it’s more likely that you’ll experience increased sensation.

Can I change my jewellery during healing?

No, you should not change your jewellery until the piercing has fully healed. If you must change your jewellery, have your piercer do it for you.

Will my nipple piercing set off airport security?

Piercings almost never set off airport security. The jewellery is too small to be detected. However, if your jewellery does set it off, you can ask to be screened discreetly in a private area.

Do nipple piercings hurt?

The short answer is yes. People often place nipple piercings at the upper end of the piercing pain scale.