I had wanted my nose pierced for as long as I can remember. My parents wouldn't let me get it done because my dad didn't like the idea of a facial piercing and my mum thought I had too many piercings already (13). She said I could get it done when I was 18, which I thought was stupid because I had my tongue pierced at 15. I almost got it done while I was in Europe, but I remembered how my father threatened to take my car away. I also didn't really want to go to some shady place where I don't speak the language and end up having my nose fall off. Anyways, I had pretty much given up on the idea until about 2 weeks before my 17th birthday.
At A Glance Author Sara Contact Sara@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist Jeremy (Champ) Studio Beachin Tattoo Location San Diego, Ca My mum took me out for a welcome home dinner and asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I half jokingly said I wanted my nose pierced. She's usually pretty stubborn about her decisions so I wasn't expecting anything. She took me by total surprise and said that if she took me to get it done I couldn't tell my dad she had anything to do with it and it would be my only gift from her. I was so excited and of course I agreed. Hiding it from my dad was fine. He's not exactly an observant person, he still asks me when I got my belly pierced and he was the one that took me. Kind of sad. Plus I don't live with him so it wasn't really an issue.
The next day we got up and and had to wait till noon for Beachin Tattoo to open; I've had all my piercings done there by Jeremy and I wouldn't go anywhere else. As soon as it was time we headed over. We were actually early so we got to wait around outside until people showed up. It was cool though because were able to walk right in without any wait. Jeremy saw us and kind of laughed because every time we go in we say it's the last time. Every piercing I get my mum insists is my last. But of course, we keep coming back. I was kind of nervous, but more excited. We talked for a little bit and he went over instructions on how to take care of it and what not. I looked at the jewelry and picked out clear crystal nose screw. I figured I wouldn't be able to change it for a while and I wanted something I wouldn't get sick of. We went into the piercing room; everything was clean and sanitary and I was comfortable. I sat in the chair and he marked my nose. I checked it and it looked perfect! We did the usual breathing, inhale and on the exhale pierce. It felt like the tiniest pinch. Not painful at all! It's like when you get your ear pierced, it was nothing. My eye did water a little which he said was totally normal. My mum thought it was hysterical though and teased me about crying over something so tiny. I did bleed though. It was the only piercing where I've bled, but I guess that's pretty common. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift. Especially since the next week I came down with mono and couldn't even celebrate (those Italian boys...but that's another story).
I've had it for about 3 months and my friends think it's really pretty. My sister didn't believe that I actually got it done. She thought it was fake because she knew my parents didn't like the idea. We argued about it being real until she asked my mum. Then she shut up. I ended up pointing it out to my dad and he actually thought it was cute. He introduces me as his daughter the human pincushion. I'm sure he favors it over my tongue, but he can't decide if he likes it more than my industrial. I think it might be a close second. Overall I'd say the entire experience was a success.
I did have one mishap though. About a month ago I was in Hawaii with a friend and I had just gotten out of the shower. I wasn't paying attention and I ended up ripping the nose screw out with my towel. It hurt so badly! There was a lot of cursing and blood involved. I couldn't get the screw back in so my friend tried. I owe her big, she was willing to stick her fingers in my nose to help me out, what a pal. She couldn't get it either. In fear of having my piercing close up, I put and earring in it and decided to wait till I got to my dads to have it fixed. As soon as I got to his house I made him take me to the local piercer and have a screw put back in (big mistake). The guy did a crappy job and my nose ring would hang half way out of my nose. I should have expected it; the place also doubles as a bong shop. The guy was probably high. I had to wait another week until I got back to my moms to have Jeremy fix it. The day I got back home I went straight to Beachin Tattoo. Jeremy couldn't believe what the other piercer had done. Because he did such a bad job my piercing was starting to grow crooked. Jeremy fixed it and it hurt like a bitch. But it looked so much better. My nose was really sore from having it heal wrong and it felt instantly better when it was back in place. So be careful with towels because it can be pretty nasty. Thankfully I didn't have to get it re-pierced. Just be a little careful and you won't have any problems.
So if you're thinking about getting your nose pierced, go for it. It's not bad at all and it's super easy to take care of. Pain wise, some people say it hurts like a biatch and some don't feel it at all. Either way, it's worth it in the end. I think it's one of the prettiest piercings. I have a little diamond screw now and it's so delicate and sweet. I love it! If you live in the San Diego area I totally recommend Beachin Tattoo in Encinitas, they're awesome!