Nipple
piercing
A committed placement that takes its time to heal. Private studio, implant-grade titanium, anatomy-assessed. Single or pair — done properly once.
Private room, done once, done right
Nipple piercings are placed through the base of the nipple, horizontally at the natural crease where the nipple meets the areola. Placement height and angle are the most critical variables — too high and the piercing sits through surface tissue; too low and it pulls. We mark carefully and check the position before anything happens.
All nipple piercings are performed in a private room. The consultation, marking, and aftercare briefing all happen in the same private space. Bring a comfortable top — loose fabric that doesn't catch is easiest to deal with afterwards.
Most clients get both pierced in a single appointment. Healing both sides simultaneously means you go through the process once, and the care routine is the same regardless of whether you have one or two. A pair costs $250 rather than two separate $150 appointments.
Exactly what to expect
What healing looks like
Tenderness, some swelling and crust
Normal. The nipple is sensitive tissue — expect a few days of pronounced tenderness. Saline twice daily, soft clean fabric against the site, sleep on your back where possible. No touching except to clean.
Inflammation reduces, routine becomes easier
Continue saline rinse. Most fabric contact becomes comfortable. Avoid activities that snag the barbell ends — high-movement sports without a supportive bra, bags with straps that cross the chest at barbell height.
Surface looks settled — don't be misled
The external tissue may look healed, but the internal channel isn't. This is when most healing complications happen — people assume healed and change jewellery too early. Continue care. No jewellery changes.
Come in for assessment before changing jewellery
At 9 months we can assess whether the channel is stable. If it is, you can begin exploring final jewellery — shorter barbells, curved options, or BVLA decorative ends. If healing is slow, we'll tell you honestly.
Leave it alone, mostly
Nipple piercings heal best with minimal interference. Clean it, protect it from snagging, and don't touch it otherwise. The urge to check, rotate, or adjust is the main enemy of healing nipple piercings.
- 01Saline rinse twice dailySterile 0.9% saline. Spray directly, let it soak briefly, air dry or pat with clean gauze. No cotton buds, no rotation, no soaps or gels.
- 02Wear a soft, clean bra or topNon-abrasive fabric protects the barbell from catching. Avoid underwire that presses on the piercing site. Cotton or moisture-wicking fabric is best.
- 03No pools, saunas, or baths for 6 weeksStanding water and heat delay healing and increase infection risk. Showers only for the first six weeks.
- 04No jewellery changes before 9 monthsThe internal channel heals more slowly than the surface suggests. Changing jewellery early — even gently — tears the forming tissue and restarts the clock.
- 05Protect from snagging during exerciseBags, sports bras with clasps, and towels are the most common causes of snagging. A seamless bra without metal hardware is safest during healing.
- 06Come back if anything looks wrongPersistent swelling, unusual discharge, or movement of the barbell towards the surface are worth having looked at. Don't wait — early intervention is always better.
Questions we're asked, often
Does it hurt?
More than most ear placements — nipple tissue is genuinely sensitive, and the piercing passes through the base of the nipple. That said, the actual moment of the needle passing through takes a fraction of a second. Most clients describe sharp intensity that's over before they've fully registered it. The tenderness in the days after is more sustained but manageable.
Can I get both at once?
Yes, and most clients do. Both nipples in one appointment: $250. Healing both sides simultaneously means one set of care routines, one healing period. From a practical standpoint, it's easier than doing them separately. There's no healing disadvantage to doing both at once.
How long does it take to heal?
9–12 months, and sometimes up to 18 months. Nipple piercings are consistently among the longest-healing placements. The surface tissue can look normal well before the internal channel is stable. Don't change the jewellery until we've assessed it — come in at around 9 months and we'll tell you honestly where things are at.
What jewellery is used long-term?
After full healing: shorter straight barbells, curved barbells, and BVLA decorative pieces all work. The starter barbell is purposely longer to allow for swelling — after healing, a shorter barbell sits closer to the body and is more comfortable under clothing. We do all jewellery changes to make sure nothing is forced.
What about sports and exercise?
Low-impact exercise within a few weeks, fine. High-impact exercise with breast movement — running, HIIT — needs a supportive seamless bra without metal hardware for the first few months. The main risk is the barbell catching, not the movement itself. Listen to your body; if it's uncomfortable, the support isn't quite right.
Book your nipple piercing
Private studio, by appointment. 45 minutes, anatomy assessment, sterile placement, aftercare included. Single $150 — pair $250.