Well, hello reader. You are probably here because you are interested in getting your nostril pierced. Good for you, I just hope it is for a good reason and not because of something like "Christina Aguilera looks cool with hers". Anyways, I won't waste any more of your time...here's my experience.
At A Glance Author Lorrie When A year ago Artist Cool Goth Girl Studio Cold Steel America Location 2377 Market Street, San Francisco I had been thinking about getting my nostril pierced for a long time. I had always thought nostril piercings were the most beautiful piercing out of all of them. I had also felt that I needed a change, not really being sure of what kind of change. So, after months and months and looking at experiences on BME and asking people who had their body modified, I decided it was time. It was suggested to me that, about a week before I get the pierce, I should put neosporin (antibiotic ointment or cream) around the area. Note: It was also NOT suggest to put it on after piercing for faster healing. So, for a week I put neosporin on my right nostril. The week of the neosporin, I called one of my friends whom I have a class with, and asked her, she would help me take the bus down Market Street after our class Final (I have no idea how to take buses). I told her that I wanted my nostril pierced and she was like, no way! But, she was still down for that!
So, the day of my final, I took it and the whole time I had butterflies in my stomach. I was so excited, but so nervous because I never had anything pierced apart from my ears. We first hung out at Stonestown but all the stores were closed...too early in the morning. We were going to get something to eat but I was afraid I would throw it up later. (I'm very squeemish about blood)So we took the streetcar down to Cold Steel America, 2377 Market St, SF. This place was so clean. They had some Indian meditation music playing, and there were lots of portfolios with pictures to look at. I went up to the girl and told her I would like my nose pierced. She asked for an ID (if you don't know, you must be 18 or older...or have your parent present for their consent. Note: They need ID too) I filled out all the paper work. I chose my jewelry...14k gold nostril screw with a fake diamond in it. It was not cheap like 20 bucks...it was more like 60 or 70 bucks but that also includ ed the jewelry. She gave me a pamphlet on how to care for it, and some sea salt for soaking. So, now it was my turn to wait. As I waited, I looked around and saw certificates hanging on the wall (a good thing. My friend also went up to the lady and asked to look at the jewelry. Meanwhile, I tried to relax and concentrate on the Indian meditation music playing. It was hard because so my people were coming in, talking to me, talking to the tattoo artists and piercers.
They finally called my name. I go into this room, and it looks like a doctor office. It has the little bed like thing with a cushin and that paper they pull over it for each new person to sit on. So I hoped up and sat on it, my friend sat on a chair across from me. This cool Goth girl comes in and we start talking. She instantly puts me at easy...don't get me wrong, I'm still nervous. She puts on her rubber gloves, and squeezes my nostril. She was checking the thickness. Luckily, I have thin nostrils. She cleans my nose with a little alcohol swab like thing and then marks it. She asks me if I like the placement. I do. This was the part where I was getting nervous. I HATE needles, but my love for this pierce helped me overcome it. I asked her how she would do this, if she would count to three. She said, "Oh no! That freaks too many people out." She instead said, "Take three deep breaths. One the last one, make it the deepest." So I closed my eyes. Took too breaths and on my last one, as soon as I exhaled, the needle went through. I never felt the needle go through. I instead felt a rush of energy, it was warm. It didn't hurt. And the first words after the piercing was, "Oh FUCK!" -Not in a bad way. She put the jewelry in, she kept moving it around in my nose, but it still didn't hurt. I opened my eyes and saw both of the piercer and my friend's big smiles. I looked in the mirror and couldn't believe I had gone through it. I was so happy.
Unfortunately, as I looked closer, I realized that it was infact all the way through my nose. My head started to tingle. I asked my friend, "Do I look like I'm ready to pass out?" She shook her head yes and I said, "I feel like I'm ready to pass out." The cool goth girl piercer helped me lie down on the little bed like thing, gave me a cup of water and put a wet paper towel on my fore head. I was better after about 5 minutes. She asked me if I had any more questions, and I didn't. So, my friend and I left. I hadn't yet told my parents or my grandmother. That in itself is a long story. But, as soon as they saw it, they were happy it wasn't a humungous nostril ring. As for me, Christmas was on it's way and I had gotten the gift I had been waiting for.
As for healing: It took it a while to completely heal. In the beginning, it was a little sore (when it was cold outside...watch out), and it oozed a lot. When you get it done, just remember to keep it clean, soak it with warm water and sea salt, and avoid getting your hair, sweat, or other peoples germs near it. You should be fine. Do lots of research and be prepared the consequences. And if you are in San Francisco, Go to Cold Steel...I highly recommend it.