People get pierced for many different reasons. Some like the look of it, and do it merely for show. For others it is a rite of passage, or a way to stand out and express their individuality. It can also be erotic, and enhance feeling or sensitivity.
None of my piercings were done for the exact same reason. Each one has come at a significant point in my life, but that is more by chance I think than design.
I currently have three piercings in, but I have worn five at one point. I have pierced my left ear, left nipple, and I have a Prince Albert. I got my first piercing when I was 18 years old. I was visiting my sister in California and decided to get my ear pierced.
It's funny, but when I talk to people about my piercings, they don't classify "ear" piercings in the same category as the others. I think this is just silly. I agree that it sure feels different when you get your nipple pierced, but in many ways the significance is the same.
I didn't get any more piercings after my ear for quite a while. I thought about getting my nipple pierced for years before I actually did it.
When I finally decided to, I read all about it and contacted a few places that did body piercings. I settled on The Gauntlet in New York City. I had my friend Jeff come with me for moral support. The piercer that did my piercing was named Rob. He was really great.
The Gauntlet uses one time use needles, and has an autoclave to sterilize their equipment. This is very important. Hepatitis can live in dried blood for six months, and not everything is killed by boiling or alcohol. An autoclave is the only way to ensure that it is being done safely. Don't let someone tell you otherwise.
People have asked me, "If they are using a one-time use needle, why do they need an autoclave?" The reason is that piercers have other tools that are used in combination with the needle. Forceps, for example, were used when I had my nipple pierced. If those other tools are not autoclaved, they could possibly carry a blood born infectious agent.
Piercing guns should never be used. They have plastic parts which can not be autoclaved, so they can never be 100% safe.
The whole procedure took about 15 minutes. Whenever people see my piercings, the first thing they ask is inevitably, "Did that hurt?" It is almost a knee jerk reaction. Yes, it hurt. The pain is very short but intense. Sometimes people will also ask me if they use anesthetic. I believe there may be a good technical reason not to, but actually, I never even considered anesthetic at the time. I love new experiences in life, and don't want to mask them. Pain is part of the experience of piercing.
If you are considering getting pierced I would read up about it on the web first. BME has a very good piercing site, but some of their pictures are a bit hard core.The other piercings I had were my right nipple, and a septum piercing. I had the right nipple done at the Gauntlet also, but it never healed exactly right. After a few years, I gave up on it and left it out. I wasn't able to wear my septum out very often because of my job. Once, someone I work with noticed it. I eventually took that out too, because I never wore it down.
I enjoy showing off my piercings, and am not shy about them at all. If someone wants to see them, I am always happy to oblige. When I go to the gym, I always catch guys staring at my PA. They are interested, but don't want to be caught looking at another guy.