I didn't think that I would ever be someone who would get any sort of facial piercing. That was until I went to Calgary during the summer when I was 14. We went to visit family, and my 2nd cousin had a nostril piercing that looked so adorable. It was a little diamond stud and I just loved it. That was when I started wanting to get mine done. It was just a tiny urge, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. I talked to my younger sister about it, and she thought it was a great idea. That was when I asked my parents if I could get it done. Of course my parents gave me a flat out "no". But that didn't stop me, it just made me want it even more. I started researching aftercare and all that stuff online and was continually asking my parents if I could get it done. I kept getting "no" for an answer, but I didn't give up. I finally got them to agree to let me get it done for my 15th birthday. I was so excited! I kept looking up info on the net and I even bought myself some jewellery so I could hold it up to my nose in attempt to see what it would actually look like. I wanted to read some experiences to see what it was like. That is when I stumbled across BME. I loved the site right away, and was on everyday after school. I read experiences and looked at pictures and eventually decided that I wanted to go to The Crypt. I got my dad to drive me down to check it out, and I liked it, so I booked my appointment. That last month of waiting felt like forever!
At A Glance Author Chantyl When A year ago Artist Kristian Studio The Crypt Location Winnipeg, Manitoba Finally it was my birthday! Luckily we had a field trip that day, because I definitely wouldn't be ale to focus if I had regular classes. I came home after school and played some Dance Dance Revolution with my friend while I waited for my dad to get home from work. Once he got home, he took me and my sister down to The Crypt.
We got there a little early, so we had time to fill out all the paperwork and show id and all that. Kristian came and asked me if I wanted a screw or a ring, and I asked for a diamond stud. He gave me the aftercare info and went to get the piercing room ready. While I waited, I just browsed around a bit. Then he came and said he was ready whenever I was. I grabbed my sister and dad and went into the room. Kristian explained the whole procedure and aftercare to us, and was making sure that we saw he was washing his hands and changing gloves and showing us that everything was sterilized. He also asked if we had any questions, which we didn't because he was very thorough. Then he cleaned my nose with this strong smelling stuff and then marked it. I looked in the mirror and I loved the placement, so we were good to go.
He got me to lie back on the table and kept explaining what he was doing as he went, which I appreciated a ton. Next he put the receiving tube up my nose, and told me that my one eye would water when the needle went through. Then he lined up the needle and told me to take a deep breath in, and a deep breath out. (This was the only time that I was nervous, because that was when I realized there was no turning back) On the breath out, he poked the needle through, and my eye watered, but it didn't hurt, just a little pinch. I was so relieved, and I realized that my sister was squeezing my hand, and she was more nervous than I had been. Once the needle was in, Kristian took the receiving tube out and turned around to get the jewellery, and then slid it in as he slid the needle out (looking down and seeing the needle sticking out my nose was super cool!). I didn't even feel the screw go in. Then I said "that's it?" and he said "Yep, you're done, go have a look". So I got up and lo oked in the mirror. I absolutely loved it, diamond is my birthstone, so I thought it suited me perfectly.
I thanked him a bunch of times and couldn't get rid of the huge grin plastered on my face. He told us to call if we had any questions or concerns and told me to come back in about two weeks for a free check-up. Then we paid and chatted with the girl at the counter for a bit and left. As soon as I got in the car I flipped down the visor so I could look in the mirror. We stopped at Safeway on the way home and picked up sea salt and Q-Tips and pineapple juice (which is a natural anti-inflammatory, and tastes kind of different, but I really like it). When we got home, I proudly showed my mom, who of course made "the face" then pretended to like it, but I know she didn't.
Aftercare was pretty easy, just warm sea salt water rinses twice a day, and I did a few sea salt soaks to keep swelling down. I didn't have any problems, and when I went back Kristian said it was healing great and just to keep cleaning it with lots of warm water and occasionally sea salt. I've had my piercing for just over a year now and it still hasn't given me any problems, and is totally healed. I can easily change the jewellery myself. (After dropping my original screw down the drain, I have learned to cover the drain with a facecloth so if I drop it I won't lose it forever.) I actually like wearing a ring more than a stud/screw now, but since I'm in soccer season, straight studs are quicker to take out and put back in.
Overall, I love this piercing and it had very minimal pain and is easy to take care of. I recommend it to anyone who is thinking about getting it done. Also, for anyone living in the Winnipeg area, I highly recommend The Crypt. It is very neat and sterile, and all of the staff are super friendly and informative. Kristian is a really nice trustworthy guy, and he is extremely knowledgeable, and he totally calms your nerves. I've gone back since then to get my lip pierced (I'll be writing about that shortly), and had another great experience. I will definitely be going back again!