Hey guys! My name is Tosha, and I'm going to tell you about my experience with my very first piercing (other than my earlobes, which I had the first holes done about 8 years ago, second holes done about 6 years ago, and third done about 3 years ago, but recently let those grow up because I didn't want the third set anymore).
At A Glance Author Na'Tosha Contact geekycomputergirl@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Heather Studio Big Buddha Tatto Location Texas I'm not sure how long I wanted some sort of piercing, but I know that I've been looking for a way to express myself. I go to university, and I live in a dorm at the moment. My roommate this year moved in the day after me and I noticed that she had her nose (right nostril) pierced. I couldn't help but think how beautiful and classy the tiny jewel looked on her. I talked to her about her experience, and she actually had some trouble because she has a thicker nostril, but my nostril isn't that thick so I wasn't concerned about it.
A friend had her nose pierced some months back (it grew up by accident, she left the stud out too long), so I asked her where she had hers done (wanting to find a good, clean place to have it done at), and I did some research online. After researching and talking to the people at Big Buddha Tattoo here in my university town, my roommate came with me the next week to have it done.
I went in, and was admiring all of the pictures of tattoos that they had done that were on the wall when the lady piercer, Heather, came over and asked if she could help me. I told her I wanted my nostril pierced, and she gave me the appropriate form to fill out, asked for my ID and took a photo copy of it to keep on file. She went into the piercing room, and soon called me in after.
Another guy learning to piece was in there to watch. She sat me down in the big dentist-like chair, and marked my nose. She happened to get it right on the first try, then she proceeded to show me everything in the packaging, and explained the procedure to me. She asked if I had any questions, and once I said I didn't, asked me to lean back and breathe in deeply. She placed the clamps on my nostril, and got the hollow piercing needle. Telling me to breathe in deeply through my mouth and hold it, she quickly pierced my nostril. Blood came pouring out, but she stayed cool, talked to me calmly, and quickly wiped it up so she could continue, mentioning that I happened to be a bleeder, and to be forewarned if I get any other piercings done. I got scared when I saw blood so close to my eyes and such, but I did what she said and kept breathing deeply through my mouth.
Next, she pulled the needle through, and started to transfer the jewel (I got a 20 gauge stud put in). She ended up losing transfer on the jewel, so there was a tad of difficulty, but she handled the situation well, and continued with minimal pain to me. By now, the bleeding had slowed down, and she was able to easily transfer the jewel through.
For some reason, I happened to pass out right after it was all done. She said, "Perfect . . . alright, you're done" and I went *clunk*. I woke up, and all was well after a bit of breathing and calming (possibly adrenalin rush, I guess). I bled some more, but it stopped reasonably quickly, and it's never bled since.
I was given great aftercare instructions, and stopped on the way home to pick up a new package of Q-Tips so that I could clean the piercing per the instructions. I cleaned the piercing (inside and outside of nostril) twice a day with antibacterial hand soap (liquid dial) and distilled water. No problems, no swelling, nothing. That side of my nose got really dry and started peeling because the soap was harsh and I was cleaning it so much, but it's sorted out now. After a couple of weeks, I started using a Q-Tip to apply moisturizer on that side of my nose, but not touching the piercing and the dryness has gone away. It's been 3 and a half weeks now, and it doesn't hurt at all anymore. I accidentally pulled it halfway out (it's a nose screw) when washing my face once, and it was sore for about a day, then it went back to normal, and last week, I took it out so that I could quickly clean it well and clean the jewelry. I put it back in with minimal pain and it's fine now. I don't plan on taking it back out for a few more weeks, though, just to be sure. Now I just wash it with my usual face washing, in the morning and at night with Clearasil face wash. I've had no problems at all.
My advice for someone who wants their nose pierced: Go for it. If all else fails, and you don't like it, you can take it out, and at least you can say that you've done it, right?