only use rings for initial piercings? that's way behind the times! Rings used to be the standard; now barbells are usually preferred because they move around less, causing less trauma to the piercing during healing

Using curved barbells, unless your anatomy requires them should also be avoided for the same reasons as above.

She's a graduate of Fakir, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing?

Maybe she's had great luck with the rings, I don't know. I haven't had a chance to meet with her yet, I just have had her highly recommended to me and when I called, I was told that about the rings for the initial piercings.

I am in N. Illinois (Lake County), any other recommendations for piercers around here?

Thanks for the replies!

Heif

From personal experience I find the straight barbells are best. They don't allow the range of motion rings do. I also like the look of them better.

my opinion? bad thing.

Although the more education the better, a one-week course does not a piercer make. Plus, he is propagating some poor practices.

Plus, he's a nutjob. Don't get me wrong--he's an important figure in modern body modification history, perhaps a supremely important figure, but a nutjob all the same.

It sounds like you are going to Mandi, if so she will pierce nipples with straight barbells I am living proof. She did my wife using CBRs but mine are straight barbells. If so, go to Antioch, instead of Libertyville.

Yeah, I'm going to go Mandi. How long ago did you get pierced? When I called Antioch, they told me she only did rings. I'd frankly prefer barbells, less to get caught on. I'd also prefer titanium, but I was told she prefers to use stainless. I'm just *very* sensitive to *any* nickel in metals and some stainless (even medical grade) can contain nickel. I just want to make sure my body doesn't react and I *know* it won't react to titanium.

Anyway, I was thrilled that they opened the Antioch shop, it's way closer than Libertyville for me.

Thanks,
Heif

I agree with Cloud here. You are also absolutely right in your assumptions about barbells and titanium. I had rings, they rejected and it was awful, they got stuck on everything and never settled properly.

If you have a major nickel sensitivity, find a piercer that will go with titanium. A metal reaction will NOT make healing fun...since it won't happen.

Perhaps go speak to Mandi in person and discuss your needs. If she is not willing to accomodate your (reasonable) and HEALTH related issues, then bully on her and go elsewhere.

Fakir is a well known figure, but his course is poo and he is a bit of a loon. IMO it is like getting a diploma by mail, the whole reason for such lengthy apprenticeships in the first place is to allow you to gain experience over time.

I would insist on straight barbells until completely healed! If the piercer will only use rings, find another reputable piercer. Nipples are very finicky to begin with and trust me, you don't want to catch them on anything before they are healed!!! Barbells stay out of the way for the most part and lay nice and flat against your chest/breast...less chance of migration etc.

I do know that Mandi has been piercing at this place for several years so she's not wet behind the ears or anything. I do plan on talking to her about the titanium, I simply do not feel comfortable getting the stainless, so hopefully she will be understanding about it.

Thanks for the replies.

Heif

There have been a lot of ABSOLUTES in here. And for the most part every time you say "always" and "never" you'll be wrong, or at least not correct.

Nipples can be done with rings, straight bars or curved bars.

I generally prefer to pierce nipples with curved bars, male and female. But depending on anatomy, sometimes curved bars simply cannot work.

When a piercer says "only CBRs" initially, they're probably old-skool or stupid...and it probably has to do with ancient aftercare (soap and rotate).

There are times when I will NOT use CBRs in nipples, but it's not that often. Hell, there are times with straight bars won't work, as well as times when curved bars won't work.