I never used to be into piercings or tattoos. I nearly vomited upon seeing my sister's pierced cartilage and boy did I rant and rave in disgust when she pierced her tongue. A school friend pierced her navel back in 1994 and it really disgusted me. Fast forward a few years and I start considering a navel ring for myself after getting 2 tattoos. I was put off by the pain as I'm the biggest chicken there is. I had to take Valium and be held down in order for my doctor to draw blood from me though my tatts were no problem.
At A Glance Author Kerryn Contact kerryn_lee@hotmail.com When It just happened Artist Mitch, assisted by Sue Studio Four Roses Body Piercing Studio Location Adelaide, South Australia After leaving an unhappy relationship and beginning my new life with my girlfriend I wanted to do something for ME. A nose ring was something that had been in the back of my mind for some time and finally I decided I wanted to do it. My girlfriend had her nose pierced a couple of years ago and said it hurt like hell. She has a pretty high pain tolerance so I was kinda scared.
We were at our local shopping centre and as usual I stopped to browse at the body jewellery at Essential Beauty. I have my waxing done there but wasn't sure if it was a good place to be pierced at. I've heard stories of bad placement and ignorant piercers there. My girlfriend encouraged me and I went in saying that I wanted my nose pierced. I opted to have the Emla cream which was applied to the outside of my nose and up my nose. I was instructed to hold a tissue up to my nose and return in 45 minutes. I duly did this and found my nose was a little tingly but not numb. I laid down on the bench with my girlfriend holding my hand. Every time the piercer came toward me I'd scoot over to the opposite side of the table. The piercer was very impatient and started bitching that I had to hurry up because she had another appointment and was going home after that. She also told me that she'd pierced a 10 year old girl's nose without any problems. What kind of places pierces a child that young? After scuttling up the wall a few more times I realised that I just couldn't do this. I got up and left without paying for the Emla cream or the needle she'd opened. This confirmed my belief that this was not a good place to go to be pierced.
A few weeks later on 14th November I decided today was the day to pierce my nose. I looked up a few places in the phone book. I rang two of them only to be connected to answering machines. My third phone call was answered by the lovely Sue at Four Roses Body Piercing. She was very helpful, telling me about her own nose piercing and telling me that "we can't all be brave". I drove straight into the city to be pierced by Mitch.
The studio is upstairs and is quite small. There is an extensive range of jewellery in the glass display cabinets and incense burning. The piercing room is a small clean room with a bench, a sink, and a reclining chair. I sat on the chair and Mitch applied a big glob of Emla to my nose, covering it with some clear sticky tape-like stuff. I was sent away for an hour which I spent sitting in my car drinking Powerade and sucking ChupaChups. I did not want to be passing out! Finally my time was up and I walked back up to the studio. I waited while Mitch pierced a teenaged girl's navel then I was up. The bent gold ball stud I'd chosen was soaking in a cleaning solution (don't remember what it was called) and I went back to the piercing room. I was absolutely terrified. I didn't even want to sit on that chair. Mitch was lovely, she talked to me reassuringly and calmed me right down. I eventually sat down. Mitch pointed out that the skin on my nose was all white, meani ng that it was numb. She called Sue in to hold my hand and she too was a wonderful support. I concentrated on breathing deeply as I leaned back into the chair and closed my eyes willingly. Sue held my hand and she and Mitch talked to me the whole time. Mitch put the needle through my nose which wasn't at all painful. It felt like a tiny bit of pressure followed by a tugging sensation as the jewellery was put in. It was over so quickly. I did it! I sat with my eyes closed for ages. I started to feel not so great so I told Mitch and Sue this. Mitch put the fan on me and Sue got a wet cloth to cool me down. I was so incredibly hot. I said I felt sick and somebody got me a bucket. I vomited. Oh boy did I vomit. I have never had such a spectacular chunder. My girlfriend, who tends to vomit when she drinks too much would have been proud of me. I swear I filled that rather large bucket, I just couldn't stop puking. I felt a bit silly because of this but Mitch and Sue were so good about it. I wasn't sick because of the pain (there wasn't any) but because I'd worked myself up so much. I started to feel better and opened my eyes. Mitch brought me a mirror and showed me my pierced nose. She then went through the aftercare with me. Once I was sure I felt ok I made my way back to my car and drove home.
On the following Saturday as I was waking up I accidentally flicked the stud half way out my nose with my fingernail (and I don't have long nails). I couldn't get it back in so I woke my girlfriend in a panic. She tried unsuccessfully and painfully to get it back in for me (she has her nose done too). This was at about 8am, the piercing studio didn't open until 10am. I rushed in there as soon as they opened and showed my nose to the piercer who was there (not Mitch). She felt around in my nose and concluded that it had closed up quite a bit. I had the option of her forcing it through which she didn't recommend at all or taking it out and having it repierced after 2 weeks. Sadly my nose stud was removed after having it in for only 42 hours. I had more pain that day and the following day than I'd had since it was pierced.
Today I had my nose repierced. Everything was the same; I went in and had the Emla applied then returned after an hour. I sat in the chair more willingly this time but I was still very nervous and scared. This was silly because I KNEW it wasn't going to hurt. Perhaps I was afraid of a repeat performance on the vomiting. Unfortunately Sue was busy with some customers during the piercing but she came straight in as soon as she was done. Mitch pierced me in exactly the same spot as before. This time it pinched a little due to the scar tissue. My eyes teared and I sat waiting for the jewellery to be put in. Little did I know it was already done. I was so happy to have my nose stud back and I didn't even vomit. Mitch gave me another card with the aftercare instructions and I was on my way.
I highly recommend you get pierced by Mitch at Four Roses in Adelaide, she's very good at what she does and has a wonderful "bedside manner". Sue was a great support too. Thanks guys, I'll be back for my belly soon!