I've been thinking about getting my nose pierced for a little while. I live in America but have been studying in London for the past year and wanted to do something while I was here to remember what my experience was like. It's been pretty lonely here, and I wanted to do something like a tattoo or a piercing by myself to show how independent I've been. At first I wanted a tattoo but it was quite expensive and since I don't have a job I thought a piercing would be cheaper. Then I decided I wanted a lip ring since I think they're so hot, but in the end I chose to get a nose ring.
At A Glance Author racetothebottom When It just happened Artist Danny Studio Frith Street Tattoo Location Soho, London I've been thinking about it for the past two weeks now, going back and forth, back and forth about whether I should actually get it or not. I even walked past the tattoo studio more than twice thinking I would go in, but never actually going down the steps. I kept telling myself that I wanted this piercing to be something that I didn't think about too much, since I overthink pretty much everything. I needed to force myself to be spontaneous for once.
So today, as I was trying to get some schoolwork done, I just got my stuff together and left. I pushed myself down the streets, down the stairs and into the studio. Even as I was in there I thought to myself, "There's still time to leave!", but I stayed. The guy behind the desk was very friendly, gave me the form to sign and told me to wait until Danny was ready. Danny himself seems like a really great guy. Before he took me into the room he ran out to make a quick phone call, but that was quite alright with me since I needed the time to calm down my heart, which was racing about a mile a minute at this point!
As soon as he had gotten the piercing room ready, he came back out and asked me to follow him. We made a little chit chat about where I'm from and he cleaned my nose. He explained what he was doing and told me to breathe through my mouth. Then he took the pen and made a mark on my nostril. I took a look and thought maybe it would look better a little forward, he said he didn't want to go too forward since the cartilage is thicker there, but he made another mark. He asked me what I thought, I said, "What do you think?" and he preferred the first. So I said "I trust you, let's go for it."
I lay back on the chair and he asked me if I had any other piercings. I have my belly button pierced, he asked how it went and I said it was alright, but I'm not that great with needles. So he told me to close my eyes. Then he said he would put the clamp on and I felt it on my nose. It was uncomfortable, but I was more worried about how the actual needle would feel! He said to take a deep breath in and out and he then pierced me as I was breathing out. And honestly, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be! I thought there would be a gruesome pop and really concentrated pain for a second or two. Instead it was just like getting shot at the doctor. Then he said it might sting while he was putting the jewelry in, but that didn't feel like much either. I opened my eyes and the whole thing was over before I knew it.
I know when I was reading the other stories on this website about nostril piercings before I got mine, I disbelieved everyone that said it didn't hurt. But believe me folks, it's nothing to be worried about at all! Take it from me, I've even passed out just from thinking of stitches I got when I had surgery. Just keep breathing, calm yourself down, and go for it!
Then we went through aftercare procedures and I reclined on the chair just to make sure I wouldn't pass out when I stood up. I asked him all kinds of questions about sneezing and cleaning and face wash and he answered every one patiently. He told me how to clean it, and that if I had any problems, like losing the jewelry, that I should come straight back and he would help me out.
When it was time to pay, the price was 30 pounds, I only had 25 cash in my wallet and he let me pay with that. I tried to insist that I could give him the rest in change, but he didn't want it. What a nice guy! I'm thinking about sending him the rest and a tip in the mail though!
Frith Street Tattoo studio is clean, the people who work there are very friendly and helpful, and I'm glad that I went there to get my nose pierced. Even now, half an hour after the piercing it doesn't hurt, only a slight ache and a little redness. The jewelry is okay, not a stud like I wanted, but I can always change it when it's time to. I hope that it doesn't fall out, but if I have any problems I know I can go straight back to Frith Street and Danny will help me out.