I love nose piercings! Looooove 'em. They're totally sexy and look great on just about everyone. I've got a nice strong nose (translation..it's big)...and I just knew a nostril piercing would look fab.
At A Glance Author TrailerTrashGrrl Contact TrailerTrashGrrl@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist Some really great Piercer Studio Cold Steel America Location Haight Street in San Francisco, CA My best friend was out visiting me from the East Coast and we had decided to spend the day in Haight Ashbury. While we were walking around...we saw a few piercing and tattoo shops. I thought it would be neat if we both got something pierced. So did she.
We stumbled upon Cold Steel America...and the minute I walked into the shop I just *knew* that this was where I wanted to get pierced. For those of you who have not been to Cold Steel America, it is a small shop with a counter up front with a very respectable selection of jewelry in it. The staff is willing to answer any questions you may have about the jewelry and the actual piercings. (They also tattoo as well) There's really cool tribal art around the store and up on the walls...and a wonderful selection of Flash.
I decided on a nostril screw and my friend was trying to decide between belly ring or nostril piercing. She settled on nostril and we filled out our paperwork and showed our IDs. I can't remember how much it cost...but I think it was something like 35 dollars for the piercing and then whatever the jewelry cost me. (Maybe 25-30 dollars)
Since we were walk-in's we had to wait for a while...so we sat there soaking up the atmosphere and trying to decide who was going to go first. She was convinced that I was notorious for backing out of things (she's known me since 1st grade)...so I should go first. I knew that she's flaky (in a Phoebe of Friends kind of way) and that if I went first she would back out. But we finally decided that I would go first.
Soon enough they called my name! Woohoo! I was soooo excited! My friend and I walked into the cleanest room ever (we are talkin' cleaner than my doctor's office) with a super nice piercer who explained the procedure and answered my questions about the needles. (I was once an HIV outreach worker...so I'm pretty paranoid when it comes to blood-born pathogens.)
The piercer drew a dot on my nostril and I checked out the placement. It looked good to me! I sat back in the "doctor" chair and did some deep breathing to prepare for the stick. I was holding my friend's hand because I was just a *little* nervous. The piercer counted and pushed the needle through my nose. I relaxed. I did not tense up or even squeeze her hand. She could not believe how calm I was. My eye teared a little...but that's it. It did not hurt bad at all! I was shocked! When the piercer put my nostril screw in for me it was a little uncomfortable...but that went fast. He put the kind in that's a straight pin and then bent it around with some pliers. Before I knew it...it was done!
My friend, on the other hand, was not doing very well. She turned green when she saw the needle in my nose and had to sit down. When I was all done and the piercer looked over at her and said, "next?", she looked like she was going to toss her cookies. I reminded her that it did not hurt badly and that I did not even squeeze her hand or anything.
She chickened out. (I knew it!!!)
I almost pulled out my nostril screw so many times. I would forget that my nose was pierced and when I would take my sunglasses off my face...I would slide them a bit down my nose and yank it out a little. Ouch! Also, I found my eye was drawn to it...so I'd walk around at times looking a bit cross-eyed. But soon I got used to it.
I followed the aftercare instructions that the piercer gave me and I never had any problems. And I do have to say...I LOVE my piercing! It's completely healed and I have a cute crystal in it right now. I get compliments on it all the time...which is funny...cause I often forget it's there!
I would highly recommend Cold Steel America for a piercing. I know that when I get my industrial...I'm definitely going to go back there for it! If you don't feel like waiting a while, be sure to call ahead and make an appointment...because that place gets busy! When I go back I will make sure I have an appointment.
And if you're going to get pierced with a flaky friend....make him or her go first! :-)
And that's all I have to say about that.