After having my lip pierced I was gagging to have my nose pierced- the good old piercing 'itch'. I wanted to have my nose pierced at the same time as my lip but a friend told me to get used to the aftercare of my lip before having another, as I had only had my lobes pierced before and that was a good 12 years prior.
At A Glance Author Gemmuse When A year ago Artist Fit guy Studio Cold Steel Location Camden, London My friend also made me wedge a ring onto my nostril to wear in the house for a few weeks to make sure I wanted it done. I have a delicate face and already had a lip ring in, so I wanted to make sure it would not look to heavy on my face. I definitely recommend doing this- especially if you need to convince a family member or friend that it is not just a fleeting desire.
The nose ring looked fantastic and I got used to the extra addition to my face in no time. So I went down to Camden's Cold Steel to get it done. They had rescued my lip a few months prior, after a different studio pierced my lip and put in a lip ring prematurely which was far too tight, stretching my hole. Cold Steel were a saviour for me then so I knew they were to be my future piercing salon for my 'itch' for all shiny metal things (which they have been since for myself and many friends).
I went in, put down my deposit and went away for some food, and came back, adrenaline pumping and butterflies whirling (I am quite the wimp). The staff were so friendly and helpful. Any question I had they were more than happy to answer. I paid the rest of the money and filled out the forms. I chose a titanium ring despite everyone's concern of my little face having a massive ring in it. My friend came upstairs with me to hold my hand and to watch all of the gory bits that he loves.
I lay down on the bench and tried to relax the best that I could- reminding myself that my lip was probably a lot more painful than this would be. The piercer was so friendly and chatty that my mind was totally taken off having it done. He talked me through the whole procedure and asked me about how my lip was now and to check that it had healed well (talk about good aftercare, from clearing up another salon's mistake). He asked me where I wanted the ring and he drew it spot on first time. I then lay back again and prepared myself for what I thought was going to be unbelievably painful.
He put on the clamp, which does not hurt at all. Then prepared the needle. At this point I was bricking it. I focused on a point on the wall, as my friend would make me laugh and if I looked down I would probably pass out. When I was ready he told me to breathe in and then as I breathed out he would put the needle through. So I breathed in, breathed out and that was it- no major pain at all! My eyes were watering as they do if you were to catch your nose with something sharp. It was just a sharp pinch- nothing to worry about. The jewellery was passed through, which pulled slightly as the ball was being put on but again not painful just uncomfortable.
And that was it! I sat up wiped my streaming eyes and smiled. It looked fantastic. The ring looked great, I was so pleased. The itch for another piercing had begun already. The piercer took me through all of the after care procedure, and told me if I have any questions, as small as they may be that they are just on the other end of the phone, or to pop in anytime if I wanted them to look at it.
For a couple of hours later there was a slight throbbing in my nostril, which was slightly annoying but no big deal. I also looked like Rudolph for a couple of hours, so if you are going to get it done I would not recommend getting it done a couple of hours before a big date.
The after care was so easy. I had to clean it with boiled warm water and sea salt twice a day- preferably by dunking my nose into a bowl and blowing bubbles, but if there was not enough time then to use cotton wool would be sufficient. The bubble part is much more fun though because you can see all the scabby stuff floating around- very satisfyingly disgusting. Also avoid wearing make-up and moisturisers.
Within a couple of days all of the redness had gone, and within a month it felt fully healed. In the first month there are moments when washing your face that you forget you have a ring on your face and there's that moment of stinging pain where you stand there with your eyes and mouth wide open unable to say 'ouch'. If you move about in your sleep you may end up whacking it and waking up with a stinging nose but it's not a major deal at all.
A year later I am still in love with my piercing! I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get it done. Do not worry about any horror stories you read about pain and blood. Everyone has different pain-thresholds, and you will never know how painful it will be until you get it done, so do not worry- one second of stinging for a beautiful addition to your face- well worth it!