This is my 11th piercing and I was ready to get my nose done. I had thought that I had researched all I needed to know beforehand like placement, style of jewelry, healing process, drawbacks and other people's experiences. Couldn't be a big deal, right? I am a teacher and I really didn't want to shake the people that I work with up too much so I chose a small stud placed in the crease of my left nostril slightly set back a bit.
At A Glance Author Rachel Contact Rachel@bme.anon Artist Magnet Studio 5150 Location Van Nuys, California We drove around and spotted a place that looked sleazy (called 5150 – NOT recommended) but I figured that a nose piercing was no real risk and as long as the place had everything sterile I wasn't worried. After choosing a small diamond-like stud, I sat down in the chair and braced myself. Yes, my eyes watered and no it didn't really hurt and it was over with in a matter of moments. $50 lighter I walked out feeling incredibly confident and even a bit sexy. It started healing beautifully and wasn't even red which surprised me. Piece of cake I'm thinking. Why in the world did I wait so long?
I was amazed that it never hurt when I laid my head down on my pillow, caring for it, putting on makeup or blowing my nose. HA! Well, about two days later I accidentally brushed my hand against the stud and out it popped. I'm freaking because I was damned if I was going to lose this piercing. After trying to shove it back in and discovering that almost immediately the hole begins to close, I called a local shop (Gypsy's) and begged them to see me and help reinsert my stud. I was warned of the probability that this might be impossible but I was willing to go through anything to have my stud back in. Right, anything! What an idiot, but I have my piercing back.
I discovered that it really matters who you go to, what kind of jewelry you chose and asking the right questions. I realized that I had not seen where the original piercer put the little ink mark on my nose, that he put an earring stud in, that even though the end was bent it would eventually fall out, I would have to be re-pierced (extruating), that he placed a product in my nose that wasn't the right material for a nose piercing. I also discovered that each piercing establishment thinks they are the best and if you don't have a "connection" with the person doing the job - LEAVE. These places are a dime a dozen.
I was in so much pain having my nose poked that the people I asked to help me had to hold the back of my head as tears streamed down my face. I told them to do what had to be done. After trying again and again to poke my stud all the way through they decided the best move would be to just re-pierce the same spot resulting in a lot less pain. I bled like crazy and boy do I have a red nose but I also have my nose done. I have been cleaning the spot and taking zinc in the hopes that I will have no other problems. Just having it redone was the logical solution but incredibly humbling. When I was finished and sitting down (I really couldn't get up and drive home just yet) I was told that this was the second one that day alone that they had had to fix. It really made them mad that there are studios out there that just do it without giving much thought to the person's choices and lifestyle (or feelings).
What needed to be done from the very beginning was choosing a nose screw - they sit beautifully and securely inside your nose. I should have asked the gauge size for future jewelry choices. I asked the first guy after the fact, and was told "it's 18-gauge". Yeah, right! It ended up being 20-gauge, go figure. So, when I was healed and wanted an 18-gauge nose bone I would have had to go through "stretching". On a two month old brand new piercing. On an established piercing it is no big deal but on one that is fairly new, it can be rather painful. I may forget the nose bone because I am afraid of the jewelry falling out. I will also go back to the place that pierced my nipples (Just Passing Through- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) when it is time to change this screw into a 14k gold one, since I trust them and they "feel" along with you.
Would I do my nose? In a heartbeat. The smart way though- listen to people, choose wisely thinking of where you want to go with the piercing and about your lifestyle. Follow the aftercare to the letter and wear it with your head held high. You'd be surprised that it's all in the delivery.