Way back in April I went with my Mom to get my nose pierced for my 16th birthday. I had been bugging her about getting a nostril piercing for at least a year and I had wanted one since I was in the 6th grade, I also took my two best friends with me for support.
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon When N/A Artist Adam Location Southern California I'm not going to lie, I was nervous as hell. My nose was my first "real" piecing and it was a pretty big step. Once we got to the tattoo parlor I told the piercer, his name was Adam what I wanted and he gave me some forms to fill out and my Mom sign and waited for about 15 minutes while he was in a back room with another client. He came out and I picked a small clear diamond and told me to come with him, my Mum came too. She wanted to make sure everything was sterile, plus I needed her for moral support!
Adam had me sit down in the "dentist" chair while he unwrapped the things he would need. He marked the spot on my nose and we were ready. Adam stuck the receiver tube in my nose and told me to take a deep breath and exhale, as I exhaled he shoved the needle in and the next second my jewelry was in. I hardly felt any pain. Just a little stinging if anything. He went over the aftercare instructions and we were off.
Everything went fantastic over the 3 month healing period, even with me forgetting all about cleaning my piercing about a week after it was done, I was really lucky about that. After the healing period was over I was curious to see if I could take my nose ring out, why I do not know. It wasn't my brightest idea. I tried for two hours to get the stud back in but,the hole got so swollen I couldn't even see where it was so I just gave up. I was devastated, I had become so accustomed to seeing my little sparkle in the mirror and now it was gone.
I decided that I had to get it redone and my Mom said she was fine with it. We went to the same studio and it was completely empty, which was quite nice. We didn't have to wait at all. I think I was more nervous this time, maybe because I knew what was coming, I swear the anticipation is the worst part of the whole piercing experience.
The same guy who pierced me before was there too, I was glad, he's great at his job and making you feel comfortable. This time I opted for a small light blue diamond. We went back to the piercing room and I sat back in the chair. Someone was playing "Dazed and Confused" by Led Zeppelin and it calmed me down a lot. I'd heard before that it would hurt worse the second time because, scar tissue and I asked him about it, he said, "That it was different with everyone and that we'd soon be finding find out." Which really wasn't reassuring but, I was ready.
He opened all the tools once more, he didn't need to mark the spot this time since I already had a small scar from last time. Next he put the metal receiving tube up in my nose, told me to take a deep breath and as I exhaled he pushed the needle through. It was a bit more painful than the first time but, still nothing too bad and it seemed like he had a hard time getting the jewelry in and that was pretty painful, eventually he did get it in. Afterwards it didn't hurt at all! It wasn't the least bit tender or anything. I was so happy to have my sparkle back!
The worst thing that's happened so far is I was washing my face and the stud got caught on my washcloth, it came out about halfway and that hurt quite a bit but, for like 5 seconds. The next morning I woke up and there was blood around the hole but, I just cleaned it off with some saline solution,
My advice to anyone who is thinking about getting a nostril piercing is make sure you do you research. Know what to expect when to go to the parlor. Also, be very careful when you wash your face, getting your piercing halfway ripped out is not at all pleasant. If it's the pain your worried about it is really nothing to be worried about, and 100% worth it in the end. I'm so glad I got mine redone, when it's healed I'm going to change it to a hoop and I'm very excited about that!