When I was younger I was the type of person that would not seriously consider getting a body piercing(besides my ears which I've had done since before I was 2). But something changed when I turned 19. I suddenly wanted a nostril stud. It was during winter break from school and I was feeling bored and I needed a change. I had come to love the way a stud looks and I had begun to think obsessively about it. I thought for months about it, did plenty of research, and pestered my mother. She was actually ok with it(not that it mattered, I was of age but I still wanted her approval)and though she's not keen on piercings, she thought a nostril stud was of the more classy and feminine. I was still deliberating. What if it hurt? What if it didn't look right on me? Then it would just be money wasted. Finally my mom was like,"Just do it already so I don't have to hear about it!"
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Spliff Studio Skinquake Location Bloomington, IN After getting a recommendation from my pierced hairstylist about where to go and where not to go and calling around to find out costs, I decided on Skinquake. And they sounded friendly on the phone, which is always a bonus. On January 20th, I popped in solely to ask some questions, and I had plenty. The piercer, Spliff, was really great about answering all my questions and was patient. He appreciated the fact that I had taken the time to do the research and was knowledgeable about this and that. He said you wouldn't believe the people who come in wanting a piercing and know nothing about it. So I strongly suggest doing the research. I asked my questions and he let me watch a nostril piercing. The girl he pierced flinched and started to bleed. I'm thinking that was the last thing I needed to see. After more deliberation in the shop, I said, "Let's do it." I figured why the hell not? You only live once! If I didn't like it, I could always take it out. I wasn't working at the t ime so I didn't have to worry about it being accepted at my job.
I chose my jewelry, a silver dome shaped stud(I love those because they sit flat against the side of the nostril) with a tiny diamond in the middle. Not too big, not too small, just right. I waited while he got everything together and he called me back to a small room. If you're ever in, check out the sign that says "Tip Me or I'll Kill You!" I hopped up on the black table and after choosing the left side, he made the mark and told me to lie down. After seeing the other girl get pierced, Spliff advised me to lie perfectly still and to not flinch or sniff when he pierced me like the other girl did because that's why she bled. He also advised me to not tense up, just relax. I was instructed to breathe in twice slowly and deeply and on the third exhale, he put in the needle. And I'll tell you now, getting my nose pierced was the easiest thing I've ever done. No pain at all! All I felt was pressure. My mom, who was watching, couldn't believe how easy the needle went in. I did ju st like he said and didn't sniff and kept still with my eyes closed till he was all finished. And it didn't hurt when he put the jewelry in. Like I said, all I felt was pressure, never pain. I didn't really bleed at all. And afterwards, my nostril was only the slightest bit tender with a little bit of dried blood just around the edge. I hopped up off the table, looked in the mirror, and exclaimed, "I love it!" I got my cleaning instructions, paid him with a $10.00 tip(I think the total was less than $60.00)thanked him, and was on my way with the newest addition to my body.
Getting my nose pierced was one of the best things I've ever done and I don't regret it for a second. My experience getting it done and caring for it has been a piece of cake! And while I cleaned it and such, I probably could have done a better job doing so, but it still healed perfectly. I think I just got lucky and my body really accepted the metal. I then went back and had him put in a ring and he said it wasn't quite healed all the way but it would still work. Now I have another stud in with a beautifully colored green gem. I have gotten a lot of compliments on my piercing. And of course I'm now itching to get something else done. It really does become an addiction. I think I've settled on a right eyebrow barbell to accentuate the nose stud. My mom doesn't think it's a great idea though. She says I'm overcompensating for something else. Why is it so outside the realm to think that some people just may actually like it! Getting a new piercing is like buying anything else new. It's that little rush you get and pride to show it off. Piercings and tattoos are a way of showing who you are to people and a way of being creative. It's like treating your body as a canvas(as corny as that sounds).
Anyway, Skinquake is a great place to get pierced. Spliff was sanitary and warned me a couple of times against touching it. Cleanliness is very important to them. I couldn't have asked for a better first body piercing experience. If you're contemplating a nose piercing or any other, go for it! But research it and get some recommendations of where to get it done. Be smart about it. And to hell with what anyone thinks! You're the one who has to live with it, no one else. If you're like how I was and all you can do is think about a particular piercing, then just do it. You'll be happy you did.