Mainstream musicians sport nipple rings openly and erotic culture publications
regularly include models with fetish body modifications like
nose, nipple and navel rings.
Placement of nipple piercing is most often horizontally
through the areola, just behind the main bud of the nipple.
Sometimes this piercing is done vertically, either as a solo
piercing or paired with a horizontal piercing. Thickness of
the jewelry worn in a nipple piercing should be at least 14
gauges to avoid tissue tearing. Length or diameter of the
jewelry is determined by how much tissue the piercing
encompasses, and starter jewelry can be either a barbell or
a ring. Fixed or captured bead rings are the most popular as
they are secure to wear and easy to clean.
Nipple
piercing can take between three and six months to heal on
average, with many women finding it can take between six
months and a year for their nipple piercing to heal. Men’s
nipples heal faster due to differences in tissue composition
and hormones. Many women experience extra issues with
healing nipple piercing during their menstrual cycles. For
women who are considering having children, so far there does
not appear to be any interference between well-healed
piercing and breast feeding, although it is not recommended
to get new piercing before, during or after pregnancy due to
changes of body state.
Once healed, many people with pierced nipples find the
tissue more developed, with increased sensation and
responsiveness. Men especially report increases in tissue
thickness and tactile sensitivity. A variety of jewelry
styles is available for wear in a well established piercing
including curved barbells, horseshoe attachments and many
variations for attaching chains and dangles.