What Does It Feel Like To Get Your Nipples Pierced?

All piercings hurt – that’s a fact. But your nipples are a very sensitive part of your anatomy. With such a nerve-filled area, it can be a very intimidating prospect to go and get them pierced.

We asked several Body Candy babes what their nipple piercing experience was really like – here’s what they had to say (note: some names have been changed for privacy):

Whitney S – Toledo, OH:

When I went to the piercing shop, I met the piercer and we had a short consultation about what would be happening. She started with a clamp, which I was NOT ready for. It was nothing compared to the needle, but it was still pretty shocking and a little painful. In my opinion, my first nipple (the left one) was easier. After they had it clamped, they made a little purple mark and then lined up the needle with the marks to make sure it was positioned right. I wasn’t expecting it to take so long, but with nipple piercings, I guess they take extra time pushing the needle through the nipple to make sure it’s straight and all.

To be honest, my chest tightened up a bit due to the adrenaline. I definitely felt the needle go through the nipple every step of the way. My first nipple was pretty painful, maybe a 7 out of 10. But my second nipple was easily the most painful part because I knew what was coming next. My second nipple piercing was a 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. I think the worst pain was when the needle pushed through the other side of my nipple. Overall, I was there for like twenty minutes. But I don’t regret it at all, I love my nipple rings.

Caithlyn C – Decatur, MI:

I don’t think nipple piercings are anywhere near as bad as everyone says. The piercing itself was so quick, and while I didn’t enjoy the sensation, it really was not bad at all. I will say that my pain tolerance is pretty high, but I just didn’t experience the same amount of discomfort people tried to warn me about.

The recovery for me was easy. I started wearing bras, clothes, and whatever else right away. I got it caught on a blanket on the second day, which hurt enough for me to yell out. But I think people try to be dramatic about the pain and recovery and I just didn’t think it was a tough process at all.

Morgan W – Rochester, NY:

I just got mine done, and the experience is still fresh in my mind. What I remember most, it took longer than I thought for the needle to make it all the way through my nipple. The first poke stings, no doubt about that. I felt it all the way through. It is a painful, stinging, sensation. The piercer did my right nipple first – it was tough, but not horrible. 5.5 out of 10 on the pain scale.

I tried to relax before the piercer did my left nipple but I already knew it was going to burn and I think that added to my pain. The second piercing was worse for sure, I give it an 8 out of 10 on the pain scale.

It’s hard to explain but after being pierced, my nipples felt “constricted.” It was weird because my left nipple hurt more to get pierced, but barely hurt the next day. My right nipple hurt less but it was really, really painful for the next few days. Every body is different and every piercing is different, that’s just how my body happened to react.

Jayme B – Raleigh, NC:

The piercing itself was easy! I only got one nipple pierced – it was cleaned, marked, clamped, and pierced with jewelry before I even knew it. I was in the booth for what seemed like less than a minute and I barely even remember feeling the needle pass through.

For me, the aftermath was tough. For two weeks, my right nipple was very painful to the touch. My nipple was feeling really sensitive, especially to different temperatures like a hot shower. The pain felt like a burning sensation and if you held your hand over it, you could feel the heat radiating from my skin. Even just a shirt or my bra touching it hurt.

For about a month, it was pretty uncomfortable. I’m a side sleeper but I mostly slept on my back for awhile. The pain peaked around day 4 (maybe an 8 out of 10) and gradually decreased. But I love my nipple ring! No regrets.

Norah G – Redondo Beach, CA:

So both of my nipples are pierced, but I got them done at at two different times. For the first piercing, I took a few Ibuprofen before to try help with the pain. I’d say the pain for that first one was a solid 9 out of a 10, but is very quick because the needle didn’t have much skin to go through (at least for me). TBH it didn’t hurt as bad as I thought it was going to.

When I went in for my 2nd nipple, it was more of a 10 out of 10. I didn’t take any medicine this time so I was super aware of the needle pain. I know it sounds intimidating to hear 10 out of 10 but IMO the worst part is the impending pain rather than the actual piercing.

Here’s what you should really be prepared for: sensitivity. Anything that touches your chest is going to have added sensitivity, especially anything that isn’t padded like a bra. After a week or two, it was ok, but for a while, I couldn’t wear a sports bra because it was just too much pressure. Also, be super careful about snags and bumps. Ouch!

We want to hear about your nipple piercing experience!

Do you have your nipples pierced? What was your best/worst piercing experience? Do you have anything else to add? Let us know in the comments below!

I have mine done many years ago I would say probably 12 years ago before I had kids and reading the comments my situation is about the same I went in ready to do it I paid for my nipples to be pierced I got the first one done it hurt I would say probably a 7 out of 10 and then the second one came and oh my God the second one was 10 times worse than the first one it hurts so bad the only way that I could get through the pain of it was I had to think about something else it was insane. After they were done they pulled my shirt down said you’re good to go they gave me some wash that was antibacterial and I remember walking outside and it was windy and just the wind through my shirt I could feel it and it was it was terrible I had to cut my breasts probably the first two weeks because the pressure felt amazing so 12 years fast forward I am getting ready to go get them done again for a second time because it just is what I like to do so once I get that done I will most definitely leave another comment of how my second round went

Alicia Ward on August 11, 2021

I got mine done in September. The right nipple was maybe a 5/10 for pain and the left (which was pierced second) was a good 7 or 8/10, I think that’s because I knew what was coming though. Recovery was pretty simple but my left one got infected and super swollen. I wanted to try to keep it so I got antibiotics and switched up to a longer barbell while it settled down. I still have both in now and I love love love them. I was really torn for ages because I love how they look but had heard so many horror stories. So my braver friend booked us both in and dragged me in there. I’m so glad that she did. They’ve done wonders for my body image 🙂

Tash on December 15, 2020

I got mine done back in Aug2020.Right one got infected had to go on antibiotics. Pain was 9/10 for me. My vch hurt way worse. Love them sooo worth it.

T7 on November 10, 2020

Hi Teresa, I’m answering your question in October, so that’s about two months from your initial piercing. It is more than likely WAY too soon to change your jewelry. I would wait at least 6 months before thinking about swapping out – but check with your piercer before you do to be sure. It is pretty normal for nipple piercings to take a while to heal – they can sometimes take up to a year to heal completely. At two months, a bit of soreness is totally normal and to be expected. However – if you start to notice a sharp pain, extreme redness, a smell, or yellow/green discharge – it’s time to go see your piercer.

Alley (Body Candy Team) on October 27, 2020

i just had mine done end of july its now october and they still hurt. Is that normal i really want to change the jewelry but don’t know