For some time now, I have wanted to get my nostril pierced. I have seen women with tiny, sparkling studs and thought it was very exotic looking. It typically made me more interested in getting to know more about them. However, I am in a line of work that is traditionally conservative. Teachers, as you know, don't typically sport body modifications. But now I am back in college working on another degree so I figured now was as good a time as any. And, after all, I am a music teacher.
At A Glance Author Shelley Contact Shelley@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Lisa Studio ACME Location Cincinnati, OH I read alot on the subject. I checked out this site, and then other sites that reviewed places to go here in Cincinnati. My boyfriend (38) has a tasteful nose ring and I wanted to go where he did; "Designs by Dana" but they no longer do piercing, only tattooing. I checked around and decided on ACME body piercings on short Vine in Clifton.
I drove out there and saw that there were other piercing shops on the strip, but ACME by far looked the most inviting, clean, and well lit. I walked in, and was treated very nicely and the staff was very knowledgeable. I picked out my jewelry- a stainless steel diamond stud- then I had to sign a consent form, and there were some questions that I didn't know I'd be asked. One was if I had eaten yet today. Glad I ate that bowl of Rice Krispies! The others were if I'd had an alcoholic beverage in the past eight hours, if I had taken any kind of pain reliever like ibuprofen the past 24 hours, or any anti-coagulants, if I was a diabetic or hemophiliac, and information about any allergies I might have. Since I'd eaten, and the rest of the answers were 'no' we went right ahead with it. I sat in this room that was quite like a doctor's exam room, but much cooler. If only actual doctor's exam rooms were like this, I might be more inclined to go more often. Anyways, Lisa was very knowledgeable and helpful and certainly had the air of someone who has done this a bizillion times. I found her monotonous attitude while reciting what she was going to do next very reassuring.
First, she cleaned my nose with stuff that smelled like Band-Aids. She changed her latex gloves about seven times throughout the whole process, and made sure to open all the packages of sterile equipment right in front of me. She also explained about the autoclave-the cleaner they use to sterilize their stuff. She opened the stud in front of me too, examined the thickness of my nostril, then bent the stud herself with pliers into a 'nose screw'. Then we picked the spot for the stud to go. I decided on my left nostril because I read somewhere that Indian women with piercings on their right nostril signify that they are...uh..."loose". Plus I have a cartilage piercing on my right ear and wanted to keep things balanced. Anyway, we decided on a place for it to go, she stuck this metal tube in my nostril so that the needle wouldn't go too far (ouch!), had me breathe in and out a few times (I knew what was coming!) and Bam! She shoved the needle in. I kept my eyes shut because I am usually a very nervous person around needles--read: I faint easily. Then she put in the stud and voila! I was done! Bonus was that it really didn't hurt that much. Felt like someone pinching my nose. I had some watery eyes, a wee bit of bleeding, and that was it. No feeling at all of light-headedness and I get light-headed at the drop of a hat. I was prepared to lay down even. Honestly, my cartilage piercing hurt much worse! Throbbed for hours. But this didn't/isn't feeling bad at all.
Afterwards, I got a sucker "because I was good" and initialed a form that said that everything was done according to specs. Like, she opened up all the sterile equipment right in front of me, threw out the needle right in front of me, and opened the stud package right in front of me. I paid ($42.50 and a $5 tip) they gave me a package of sea salt, lots of printed directives, and their promise that if I ever have any questions, call or stop in. She said that they stand by their work and want everyone to be happy. ACME really is a great place!!!
Now all I feel is the sensation that something is in my nose but that's it. It doesn't hurt! I'm still surprised about that. I haven't touched it at all-and don't intend to. I love the way it looks and hope that my profession will accept it, too!
If you are hesitating because you're worried it's going to hurt than just go do it! For me, the worrying was the worst of it. Check info out online and make sure that it's something you want to commit too. Like it or not, there are some social ramifications to think about. Make sure you eat before you go, and make sure that you go somewhere you can trust.