Back in the summer of 2002, I had decided I wanted a nasallang, after seeing the two or three people who had documented proof(photos) sent into BME showing off this extraordinary piercing. I wanted it mainly because no one else had it, and I will be honest, being the hardcore 16 year old I was, I wanted to have the coolest piercing. At the same time I wanted double nostrils, and felt this 'secret' piercing allowed me to still have a 'professional' look if needed.
At A Glance Author Tiffany-Amber Contact xmodxgoddessx@hotmail.com IAM Mt. Whicked Bad When Two years ago Artist Josh Studio Planet Ink Extreme Location 174 Rideau St. Ottawa, ON. Canada I somehow came across Sean Philip's IAM page, and had a chance to speak with him about his nasallang experience. He went out of his way to help me, and explained the procedure in full detail. With his help I was able to approach my friend Josh - a piercer, and we were about to start planning things out.
Josh hadn't done such a piercing before, so in a way we were helping each other out. I went and purchased a 1 inch long, 14ga barbell with 2 or 3 mm balls, because Josh didn't think he would have a barbell the right size. After having the barbell for a few months, we finally set a date to do the piercing. Due to circumstances we had to reschedule a few times, but finally we did it.
After a long day of school and co-op(a work placement instead of afternoon classes) at the 'big shop' - Planet Ink, I went down to the 'small shop' - Planet Ink Extreme. Josh, Jesse, and Frankie were working that day. We waited till things died down, and went into the piercing booth to set up. Josh and I argued over the barbell I had purchased, he felt the balls weren't big enough, and because I chose a fitted barbell, he was afraid with swelling, they would sink into my nose. I wasn't arguing the fact that he was incorrect, but rather that I HAD to have this barbell because I wasn't allowed to get pierced.
See, I have had a severely hard time growing up trying to be myself because of my father's disliking for piercings and tattoos. I have been kicked out at least three times, and grounded even more. The most confusing part of it all is that he allowed me to get my nostril pierced in the first place, when I was 12 years old(with a gun at a hair salon). I knew that if I went home with the 5-6 mm beads Josh wanted to use, I would be grounded or thrown out again.
Somehow during this whole discussion, I wasn't thinking, picked up the barbell bare handedly - to compare it to the 2 beads in my lip I suggested we use instead(they were a happy medium between the two), and we had to re sterilize it. Almost an hour later, it was nearly time to close the shop, so we locked up, and set up once again.
I had told Josh prior to the piercing that hemophilia ran in the family, and though it is mainly exclusive in males, it has been found in females. Because of this, he wasn't sure what to expect so he had me tuck a dental bib into my sweater, and we placed some paper towel on my lap, just incase there was any excessive bleeding. He also had Frankie glove up and stand by for assistance if needed, and I let Jesse use my camera to document the experience.
We agreed that even though there was scar tissue where my other nostril piercing had been(that I retired only a few months prior, which Sean suggested), we decided that it was perfectly placed, and used it as reference for the placement on my left nostril. Josh then clamped my nose closed, and began to pierce. It went through the first nostril no problem, but once he hit the hard cartilage in the center, he literally had to lean on the needle to get it through, which resulted in the needle shooting through my other nostril.
My eyes were closed the whole time, I didn't want to even try and watch something that close to my face, as well, it was my first professional piercing I had ever gotten, and really didn't know what to expect. All I heard was Josh say "FUCK!", and his hands drop away from my face. I hesitantly asked what had happened, to which he replied "It's crooked". Frankie wiped up my tears, and passed me the mirror. It was in fact VERY crooked - at least 5mm too high.
Josh then told me he was going to slowly pull the needle back - just out of the nostril, and free hand it through the other. I remember saying "Don't touch me", and telling him to give me a minute to recuperate. I started to feel light headed, so they got me some water and had me sit back and relax, and within 10 minutes I was ready to go again. He did just as he said he would do, pulled back, and pierced the other nostril, then followed through with the barbell.
Frankie then applied light pressure to the 'mishap hole' with a Q-Tip while Josh disposed of the needle. We all sat around checking it out, then I began to tremble a bit. I thought nothing of it, it was a cold fall night, but after a few minutes it got worse and wouldn't stop. I had gone into shock. They had me lie down, and Josh ran over to the corner store and bought me some juice, and a good half hour later I was able to sit up and get ready to go home.
When I got home, it was past 9pm. My father was VERY upset I was so late, and insisted on speaking with me. His reaction to my piercing was as I expected. He freaked out, started yelling, and told me it was crooked, then grounded me. It was a bit crooked, which was EXTREMELY noticeable with the excessively large beads, which I do believe I changed two or three days after.
Healing wasn't too bad, it probably wasn't wise to get it that time of year, what with winter coming. I chose the LITHA method, other than cleaning away extra snot and lymph from the outsides. To do that I 'gargled' with warm salt water - submerging my nose in the liquid, slightly inhaling just to get it up the nostrils, then blew bubbles with it. I would then take a Q-Tip and clean off anything that was stuck to the barbell. Within no time I was able to show off the fact that there was a barbell through my nose, sliding the barbell back and forth.
Jump ahead 2 years, summer of 2004. I had been wanting to stretch my nostrils for the last 6 months or so, but didn't want to retire my nasallang. I kept putting it off until I figured out if I was going to attempt to stretch pure cartilage - it had already stretched to 12ga on its own, wear a ring in the middle, have some crazy custom piece of jewelry made, or just retire it.Sometime in August I purchased a pair of acrylic 12ga 'plugs' with o-rings on both ends, as well as a pair of single flared 8ga tunnels. I wore the 12ga plugs for a week or so, and I had to cut them down to size as they were far too long and not meant for nostril stretching. Normally I wouldn't stretch as fast as I did, but I had just got a professional job as a photographer, and had to be presentable. I then wore a broken acrylic 'crescent' - one half in each nostril, slowly working my way up to 10ga, which I then put a cut up piece of a darning needle(the plastic pink ones) in. Those I was able to leave in much longer because I didn't put o-rings on, and weren't noticeable at all.
Less than a month later I was able to get the tunnels in, only to find out they were far too long as well. I had to take a file, and slowly file them down, making sure to make them even, and to round the edges as much as possible to prevent any trauma while inserting them. The only problems I did have were getting the o-rings on INSIDE my nose. If I didn't have a 3/8" stretched septum I don't think it would have been possible. I had to push the plug down, the 'back' sticking thought my jewelry-less septum, and put the o-ring on that way. The other issue I had was that only a month or two after stretching, the flare was sinking into my nostrils because the tissue had stretched on its own. Oh, and there isn't much 'nose funk/cheese'. I don't clean them nearly as much as I probably should, twice a month on average - they are just too awkward to put in and take out.
I've now had stretched nostrils for 8 months or so, and planned on staying at 8ga until I was a professional in 'the industry'. After looking into the cost for custom jewelry, and the investment it is, in the next 3-4 months I will be going to 6ga. Ultimately I don't have a 'final goal', I just know that once they get to a size that is no longer flattering to my face, I will stop. I can't see myself going larger than 2ga.
As far as the cartilage in the center, there is still a hole, but the skin has either healed, or is just smaller than any jewelry I have. As of right now I have no plans to 'open' the hole, I still have the barbell, so it is possible I may someday wear it through my tunnels.
Pain wise for those interested in doing either, the nasallang was probably one of the worst pains I've ever felt - and I've had two scalpellings, and armpit tattoos done. It isn't fun. BUT healing time is quick so long as you care for it accordingly. As for the stretching, cartilage isn't an easy thing to stretch, though nostrils are a softer form, it is a bit easier, but you DO NOT want to skip sizes - IF you are even able to. You don't think about it that much, but a lot of facial movements are antagonizing to do when your nostrils are inflamed.
I do have photos from the nasallang experience, though they were scanned and resized too small to be posted on BME. For those with IAM, you can see them - as well as the 'finished project' on my page, and those without, you can email me using the address provided above. Tiffany-Amber