As a mom of two and in my mid thirties, I wondered if piercing my nose was the right thing to do. I look around at the stars (Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera come to mind) that have a pierced nostril and it made me wonder if it was right for me.
At A Glance Author Dawn Contact Dawn@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Ang Studio Black Hole, Virginia St. Location Reno, Nevada Well I was using my piercing as a personal reward for losing weight. (quite a bit overweight, a nostril piercing was my reward for the first 20)
Finally, the day came: goal weight. I looked up where the studio is, it had burned down a couple years ago and the phone book mis-printed where they were. But, I looked them up here, and on switchboard and found them.
I headed to the studio about 2:45 in the afternoon. There was a note on the door that said 'be back at 3:30, ANG' (and it had a heart on it) Everyone has raved about Black Hole for the personal service you receive, and that everyone is so nice. I tried the door anyhow, wondering if maybe there was another piercing professional there; to no avail, they weren't open.
So I headed back to my car, but noticed that there was a sign stating that it was '1/2 off body piercing today only'. A little puzzled by the sign, I wondered if a nostril counted as a 'body piercing'. I had to kill some time, so I went and got a paper, knowing if I left and went home I might not return (I'm such a scardey cat)
I nervously thumbed through the paper (no couldn't concentrate to read) and then a 4x4 pulled up with two ladies in it. I followed them in, figuring they were ready to go to work.
As I walked in, a lady that was covered in tatoos and had a couple of piercings visible asked 'Hi, I am Ang, how can I help you today?' I explained that I wanted my nostril pierced, not a big needle please. She stated that they would use an 18 gauge, I didn't know what that meant, but then she directed me to the jewelry case that had the nose screws, and they were small. I had decided I would prefer a hoop, so I asked if that was ok to use after the piercing. She said that indeed it was fine, and easy to care for afterwards. Then, she showed me a huge collection of little beads that I could use, I was thinking onyx or hematite. Once Ang explained that hematite had some healing properties to it, hematite it was.
She asked if I wanted to sit down, the waiting room has comfy couches and pillows in rich reds...it did look comfortable, but I was still nervous.
She said 'come on back with me ' and I followed her into what looked like a doctors office. There were chairs, mirrors, a full table/desk area, supply closet (that was full by the way) and a table to lie on.
She told me to hop up and have a seat on the table. While she was setting up and getting everything she needed (I purposely didn't watch as the last thing I wanted to see was the needle!) she explained that the other lady that came with her was an old friend of hers from like 5 years ago. The conversation was nice, it was like talking to an old friend. I asked 'would your friend mind coming in and holding my hand for moral support?'
So her friend came in and then Ang asked me (as she was cleaning my nose) 'which side do you want done' I stated my left. Her friend then asked 'why did you choose the left' (which was good, they were distracting me) So, I explained that I was thinking left side, married, wedding ring; made sense to me.
Then Ang made a dot on my nose and put a fake ring into place (I really liked that idea, it gave me a good idea of what it would look like) It suited me.
So I sat back down, Ang cleaned my nose with betadine and then said 'ok I want you to take deep breaths in through your mouth and exhale through your nose, I have to put a tube in your nose and poke around with my finger some' So I breathed in and out maybe four times, on the fourth one there was a bit of a poke, felt to me like scratching the top off of a pimple or something. But Ang said 'ok, now I just have to put the jewelry in' (it then occurred to me it was done and over WOW!) My left eye started watering profusely. (I had done a lot of research--and read the stories here at BME so I knew that might happen)
Ang gave me my packet of sea salt, my saline solution, and then explained to me if I had any problems to feel free to come in. She also offered that once it is healed that they (staff at Black Hole) would help me change the jewelry.
So I headed home, happy with the piercing. Proud of myself for the weight loss. Proud of myself for getting my nose ring. More importantly very impressed with my 'first experience' at a piercing studio (everything was so immaculate and sterile, and everyone was so nice)
If you are thinking about getting your nostril pierced, I would recommend it. (It doesn't hurt) If you are in the Reno/Sparks area, I would recommend going to Black Hole.
My next reward for myself will be my navel (I had it done pre-kids) but took it out. So, that is next. I will certainly go back.