What to Expect When You Get Your Nose Pierced

Tattoos and body piercings are very popular nowadays. In fact, celebrities like Jordin Sparks, Pink, and Christina Aguilera have been seen in recent years sporting nose piercings. So have you been itching to get a nose piercing? At first you may be apprehensive and confused about what actually occurs when you get a nose piercing. Where do you go? What does it cost? And most importantly... how badly does it hurt? I myself got my nose pierced this past summer, so I will tell you about my experience. One day last June, I accompanied my husband to Dragonfly Tattoo in Port Clinton, Ohio. He wanted to buy a new set of earrings, but when I entered the tattoo parlor, a strong desire to get something pierced overcame me. I have always been interested in body modification; I already had 7 ear piercings and 1 tattoo. I had wanted a nose piercing for awhile, but I had never gotten around to it. My husband convinced me to finally get it done, because we only live once and a piercing isn't permanent. If I didn't like it, I could just let it close up!

Where Do You Go?

As I mentioned, I went to a tattoo parlor. That is where you will generally find body piercers. For the nearest tattoo parlors, check the Internet, ask your friends, or look through the phone book. Do not expect to go to a jewelry store at the mall, like Claire's, to get a body piercing!

What is it like?

First of all, I sat down in a chair like any you would find in a hair salon or dentist's office. The woman who was to pierce my nose briefly told me what would happen. Contrary to my initial belief, your nose is not pierced with a gun, as is done when you get your ears pierced. Guns are not sanitary for body piercings because you will bleed a bit. Instead, a needle is used. Knowing this made me nervous because the thought of having a needle jabbed through my nostril sounded rather unpleasant. But I've known several people with nose piercings, and they all survived, so I went for it.

The piercing artist cleaned my nose with antiseptic and put a cork in my nostril. The needle will stick in the cork so it does not accidentally go all the way to your septum. She then used a marker to put a dot on my nose. This dot was to mark where the piercing would be. She had me okay it, and once I did, she removed a needle from a plastic package. That needle was huge! She told me that my eye would automatically water as soon as the needle went through; it's a reflex. She told me to take a deep breath, and bam! The needle went through My eye did water and I also bled, but not too much and not for very long. It was certainly an awkward sensation having a needle through my nostril. I could even see it in the mirror. But before I knew it, the needle was out and the piercing was in. It wasn't too painful; I was just left with a warm sensation.

How do I clean it?

I was warned to not touch my piercing with dirty fingers. I needed to clean it with an antibiotic cream, like Neosporin or Bacitracin.

You are not to remove your piercing for at least three weeks. Sometimes my piercing would catch on clothing or different materials and it would begin to pull out of my nostril. This hurt terribly--worse than the initial procedure! However with time, your piercing will heal. I now have to remove my piercing for work and I can do this easily and without any pain. I have kept my stud out for a full day and it did not close up. I try to put my stud back in as quickly as possible, however.

Does a nose piercing interfere with snot? Does it cause more boogers?

Absolutely not. I can blow my nose without any problem.

What does a nose piercing feel like?

If your piercing was done professionally, you shouldn't be able to feel it at all. Most of the time, I forget it's there.

Finally,

What does it cost to get your nose pierced?

For me, in Ohio, it cost $30. This covered the procedure as well as my starter stud, a shiny silver ball.

My experience was a great one and I love my piercing. Just be sure to go to a reputable piercer and be sure to clean your piercing as directed. The pain and cost are worth it because you will soon be sporting a fashionable, cute body piercing that everyone will be envious of!