Nipple
Estimated time of healing: 10 - 12 weeks, occasionally up to 20 weeks.
A horizontal piercing is the most common one, and also the one of our recommendation. Jewels inserted through the skin in other angles (most commonly in a vertical position) are other possibilities. Due to the forces of traction, a vertically inserted jewel may gradually change position and eventually become almost horizontal.
The locations of the wholes must be carefully selected, and in particular if both nipples are to be pierced, either simultaneously or as a two-step procedure, since even minor irregularities regarding the symmetry may look quite unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the piercing should pass through the centre. A location below the centre may result in an upwards-pointing nipple, and above the centre in a down-wards pointing nipple. After a certain period of time, such a piercing may have provoked an enlargement of the nipple.
Accordingly, the jewel is inserted through the tissue behind the nipple and preferably also through the pigmented darker area. In some males with very small nipples, there is no other option than to perform the piercing from and to the areas just outside the pigmented areole.
Pregnant women or individuals planning future pregnancies should consider postponing such a piercing until a point in time of no breast-feeding or pregnancies. As a rule, breast-feeding an infant is possible even though the nipple has a jewel inserted. Having a jewel containing nickel may sensitize the child to become atopic and later on allergic to this material. Therefore, a clever solution may be to remove the bar or ring temporarily before and put it back after the breast-feeding. This is not possible however, unless the piercing is completely healed and consolidated having a layer of skin through the inner channel. Alternatively, the jewel may be removed during the whole period of breast-feeding, and a new jewel being inserted afterwards. This can most often be done through the already existing channel.
The most common and popular jewel is the
traditional Ball Closure ring. Bars may also be a
perfect choice. Later on, after a complete healing and consolidation, there is a
much broader choice of jewels, 
such
as shields, suns, spiders, special bars and much more. Occasionally, the time of
healing is much longer than what is estimated. In the female this may be
attributable to hormonal factors. A common explanation is also an insufficient
cleaning procedure, and in particular related to bars, which may be more
difficult to handle than rings. A good idea may therefore be to have a ring
inserted firstly, and replacing this one with a bar later on. A ring can be
rotated fully and cleaned all along its length, thereby reducing the risk of
infections considerably as opposed to a bar.