It's true, I was and still am just that - a preppy, little thing who likes all things pink and wears possibly too much Abercrombie and Fitch, but when I decided to have my nose pierced, it wasn't because I wanted to change people's perception of who I am. In fact, while still contemplating the idea of getting pierced, I was quite fearful that others might think I was trying to be someone I'm not. Everyone seems to place a label upon everyone else, and I myself am not excluded. When I see a girl with her tongue pierced, the truth is, I don't immediately expect her to be an avid church-goer, but that's just my downfall.
At A Glance Author Laura Contact Laura@bme.anon When A year ago Artist Jeff (Dr. Jefe himself) Studio Dr, Jefe's Location Ocean Beach, California So I thought for a little while about what the nose piercing would do to my image and after growing dissatisfied with the opinions of others when I asked them, I decided to do what I and I alone wanted. I was going to get my nose pierced.
I went to Spain the summer after eleventh grade and, all of us being under the legal age to get pierced in the US, we rushed over to the local tattoo and piercing parlors. One girl, only 15, got an enormous barbed-wire sort of tattoo which stretched across her entire back. Something tells me she's regretting that nowadays. I decided to go with the fashion and pierce my belly-button. I got it done and loved it. My body ended up rejecting the piercing, but I was immediately addicted to the idea of being pierced. I waited only a few months after the belly-button incident to find something new to pierce, my nose.
I was seventeen and fortunately, my mom thought it might be "cute." She not only took me, signed the parental consent forms, but held my hand as I was being pierced.
I naturally chose to have my piercing done at Dr. Jefe's piercing shop in Ocean Beach, a sub-city in San Diego, CA. If you live in or near the beach areas of San Diego and you have a clue, you go to Dr. Jefe's. He's very well-known and therefore, very highly-acclaimed. I even found a coupon for $5 off any piercing in the paper that morning. I was all set. I had the money (around $80) which was used to buy the piercing process, the stud (I was given a choice and went with the cheapest while still being safe) and some basic cleaning supplies. The woman, who was actually probably closer to a girl, was probably used to nervous customers so she answered all of my silly questions and made me very calm, yet very excited about what I was about to have pierced. I asked her how the pain of having one's nose pierced compared to the belly-button piercing, noticing she had both herself, and she told me the belly-button actually hurts more. "Hey," I thought to myself, "my belly-button pie rcing was virtually painless, so this should be a breeze!" Now, I was completely ecstatic.
Dr. Jefe called me in and I formally met him. He seemed completely cool as did his tattooed from head-to-toe assistant. He got his tools ready and being still a little nervous, I chose to focus my attention on my mother who was standing to my left instead of Dr. Jefe's weapons which were being cleaned and unwrapped to my right. Everything, I made sure to notice, was very, very clean. He came over to me with a Sharpie and placed a dot on my nose. He asked me if I liked where it was and said if I didn't, he could wash the dot off and put it somewhere else. Not necessary, it was placed perfectly. Alright, here I go, the dot's in place, the tools are ready, there's no turning back. My heart raced as he told me what he would be doing in the next few moments. He said he would be using some sharp, pointed tool to pierce my nostril and would subsequently "thread" the hook and stud into my nose using that same tool. He pushed it into my nostril and tears shot out of my eyes. No, I wa sn't crying about it, it was simply a reflex caused by the pressure on my nose. I then hung out for what seemed like forever with this gigantic metal tool in my nostril - I think I even turned to look at myself and was horrified by what I saw at that moment. He assured me it would look very different in a matter of seconds. He took my chosen stud, which consisted of a round, gold stud on a very long and thin gold stick. The stick was pliable and needed to be for him to twist it into a sort of curly-Q which would remain in my nose. As he was twisting the metal rod, I felt pain from the tender hole which had just been put in my nose. I was writhing in my seat and was very anxious for him to be over with it. At last, he was and I was able to look at my new piercing, although red and slightly swollen, very hip and cool-looking. I thanked him while on my piercing high and danced out of the studio, wanting more and more piercings everywhere. My mom was not so thrilled about that idea.
I have since taken out my piercing, but would have no problem with doing it again some time soon. I recommend this piercing for girls or guys who want a subtle, yet sexy modification to their body. The stud can be teeny-tiny if you so desire and there are many different colors and styles as far as nose jewelry goes. Get it done and the pain you may or may not experience will be over in a flash and you'll have a brand-new, gorgeous piercing to show off to all of your friends.