The fact that this was a facial piercing didn't even register in my brain when I decided on getting my nostril pierced. So what prompted me to do this? It was actually a convoluted process inside of my own head, although it only took me less than a week to decide on actually getting it done.
At A Glance Author Cyka Contact Cyka@bme.anon IAM Cyka When A month ago Artist Marea Studio Aesthetics Location Indianapolis, Indiana It started out as me entertaining the idea of getting my VCH done, due to a recent scare (ladies, I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about). Fortunately for me, my paranoia was to blame once again, and my fears never came to fruition, and therefore, in my own warped mind, there was no reason for me to get that particular piercing – at least not right yet.
However, I still needed to get something done, for a couple of other reasons. First of all, the lessons that I'd learned a couple of weeks earlier about trust, patience, and self-assuredness while I was out of the state were rolling about in my head. These tied in to the second thing – back in March, I'd gotten my conch pierced – mainly to test myself, but in a way, it was a symbol of defiance, as well. I don't regret it, but I knew that after the emotional weekend I'd had, I needed something to balance myself ... something to remind me of my femininity, as well as my place in the overall scheme in the universe with a certain individual.
It was with that I contacted Marea, who had up until then worked at Metamorphosis, in Indianapolis. It just so happened that she and her partner were opening up a new place of their own at the tail end of June, which worked out perfectly with my own schedule, as I had a rare Saturday off.
Their new place is called Aesthetics, and is also in Indianapolis.
After confirming what sort of piercing I wanted, she seemed happy about that; she told me that she could do nostril and tragus piercings all day. This reassured me, even though for some strange reason I wasn't nervous about getting it done at all. All of my previous piercings had me really nervous and practically freaking out by the time I arrived at the studio in question, but I wasn't scared this time ... not even when I was lying prone on the piercing table.
At any rate, the day arrived, and I drove up to Indianapolis, stopping at Yats (quite possibly my favorite place to eat there; they serve Cajun and Creole fare, dirt cheap) to eat, and then deciding on the spot that her tip that day would actually consist of lunch, and not cash. I told the guys there to make two vegan orders to go, and they happily obliged.
Food in hand, I drove over to the studio, getting turned around a bit, of course, since I hadn't been there before. Fortunately, I only lost about ten minutes ... and besides, I didn't have a set appointment, anyway. All that we had planned was that I would be there on Saturday.
I announced that I had brought Marea and Alan lunch, and proceeded to tell them that it was vegan goulash. We talked for quite some time; I had nothing else planned for the day except for a bit of shopping up in Broad Ripple, so I hung out there. Three cigarettes and two hours later, I finally proclaimed that it was time to get pierced.
We had already copied my identification and such, and we had already decided on the initial jewelry (a 5/16" 18g threadless flatback labret stud with a halfdome front), so there was no additional waiting. We went into the piercing room, and she closed the doors (for some reason, I thought it amusing that she put a plant in front of the doors, but she explained that is was so the doors wouldn't swing open if a gust of air came along ... hey ... makes sense to me!). She then did all of her prep work (scrubbing her hands, gloving up, cleaning my nostril, etc.) and then we decided on placement. They do not use clamps or markers; preferring instead to be all-freehand, and all-disposable.
I then lay back on the table, and she told me the words I'd been waiting for: "Inhale, and I'll pierce you on the exhale."
As soon as I started to let out my breath, she slid the needle through my left nostril ... from the inside out! Okay ... it hurt more than I expected, but it wasn't intolerable, and it only lasted a couple of seconds. When she slid the jewelry in, I didn't even feel it being inserted. She asked me if it hurt more than I thought it would, and I answered honestly that it did, but it was manageable. She then asked me which was worse, the needle, or the jewelry. Again, I told her it was the needle; the jewelry wasn't even felt.
One thing that I expected, and that did happen ... was that my eyes involuntarily watered when she pieced me – not just one eye, but both of them. In fact, I didn't think they'd stop watering, but of course they did a few minutes later.
She asked me if I was okay, and to take as long as I needed to, to stay lying down, but the truth was that I was fine, and I told her so. I got up right away. I couldn't wait to see my new piercing! We ended up talking for a few minutes first, but eventually I got to a mirror and looked at it. It was completely gorgeous. It sits perfectly on my nostril, and looks like it was meant to be there.
We ended up talking for a bit more, before I finally paid her, discussed aftercare (she suggested Dr. Bronner's liquid soap instead of the Satin that I had been using – which, by the way, has had awesome results ... I prefer it now instead), and talked about when I could come back to have the jewelry downsized (6 – 8 weeks).
Two more things:
First, if you are in (or will be) in the Indianapolis area, I once again recommend Marea for your piercing needs. As I've said before, she is very talented in what she does, and her bedside manner is wonderful. She and Alan's studio is located just north of downtown Indianapolis, and is called Aesthetics.
Secondly, if you are considering a nostril piercing, go for it. The pain is minimal. If you take care of it, and it is done properly, you shouldn't get the dreaded bump that so many people seem to get. I've had my piercing for almost six weeks and haven't gotten the bump yet. Also, don't let the fear of it being a facial piercing stop you. I live in a conservative town and deal with the public on a regular basis, and have only had a handful of negative reactions, none of which have been from my employer. Also ... you are never too old.