Seeking Piercing Advice

[Mimi]

Hey folks 🙂

I've been toying with the idea of getting an additional piercing or two for years now, and I think I've finally made that ultimate decision to go forth with it.

The reason for this thread, is that I am seeking some feedback from those of you who have already been there and done that. The first piercing I think I am going to aim for is a nose piercing (ring, not stud). It was a toss-up between nose and eyebrow, but I'm leaning more towards the nose.

So my questions are as follows....

How much pain is involved with getting one of these piercings? Is it equivelant to the pain experienced when getting your ears pierced, or can I expect something a bit more severe?

How long and difficult of a healing process can I expect? Is there a lot of swelling and redness for a while afterward? And if so, how long afterward?

How difficult are they to care for? Do you run a high risk of infection if you do not use the utmost caution?

What tools/system do they use to pierce a nose? I know they can not use the same type of gun that they use for ear piercings, so what is their approach? Just stab a pointed instrument through the location, or do they use the earring itself to puncture the hole?

How much did you pay for your piercing? I want to be sure I get a fair price.

For a nose piercing, would you recommend a ring or a stud for jewelry? I'm leaning toward a ring, simply because I do not want the post of a stud stabbing the inside of my nose. Is that a factor?

I think that's it. I am probably more nervous about the pain aspect than any other aspect of following through with the piercing, but I had the same aprehensions about getting tattoo'd my first time, and now I have a total of 6 tattoo's, and still considering more. So needless to say, the pain was nowhere near as bad as I had expected.

Any help you guys can offer me would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks in advance...

Mimi

 

[Ghost2004]

Of Nose piercings

Hey Mimi

I got my nose pierced in July. ( I am female and in my lat 20's) . I got it done by the dad of a friend of mine who runs a reputable tatoo and piercing shop... He usually charges $30, but I got the "friend of the daughter" discount for $20.
I will have to admit,.,. I was a bit apprehensive about getting the nose pierced, but had always wanted to have something pierced, but was leery of the tongue cause I had heard it hurt like the devil. I went in part as well , cause a friend of mine wanted to get her eyebrow pierced and she wanted a friend for "piercing support! " LOL
The place where I went was nice, clean and sanitary. Joey, that piercer, first daubed the area( my left nostril) with alcohol on a pad. I had been warned that it would not so much hurt as pinch, and make your eyes water. I chose the ring I wanted( a little simulated Saffire with a ball on the end) and he simply clamped my nostril, told me to hold on tight, and put the sterlized piercing needle thru my nostril. It took all of 2 minutes and IMHO the worst part was the watering eyes.. It felt like you got a punch in the nose. Then he inserted the ring thru and that was it
Some people choose hoops, or rings with screw in backings, but IMHO ( and according to a lot of the people I have talked to with noserings) the studs with the little balls on the end are the best.

The main thing you have to do , of course is to KEEP IT CLEAN, with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol dabbed on a q-tip. I ususally did that twice a day for the first 2 months. You are supposed to turn it once a day, but make sure your hands are clean. ALso , make sure not to play with or touch it too much; I did and ended up with a bit of an infection. You can also use antibacterial ointment around the site of the ring. It was about 1-2 months till I took my ring out.

All in all Mimi, nose piercings are not painful, and can look as outrageous or as demure and simple as you like.

Let us know if you get one, how it goes and what you chose

Lots of Luck
Ghostie😀

 

[JoBelle]

Mimi,

I've been piecred in a few places over the years (tongue, nipple, ears) and can tell you the least worst was the tongue. I've also had the "pleasure"😕 of being present for the piercing of others...lol

Let me tell you that just from the audience viewpoint, go for the nose. I watch a grown man on a narcotic cry huge tears as they clamped his brow and shoved a needle through it. It made me hurt just watching.

The most important thing to do is follow the instructions they give you. Any reputable place should offer you a leaflet outlining the basic piercing care. DO NOT break the rules. You may not get an infection, but you can still get a scar. For example when you get your tongue piereced and they say don't USE it. They really mean don't use it!! Unless of course you want a forked one! Until the pierced flesh heals completely, it's prone to ripping and bacterial buildup in a short period of time. I might also suggest that you not get a fresh nose piercing in the middle of flu season. For obvious reasons. 😉

Happy hole pokin'!

Let us know what you settle on!
Joby

BTW, here's a link to a good FAQ about piercing. It goes into some limited detail about the instrumetns that are used and gives some good guidance including choice of jewelry.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bodyart/piercing-faq/getting-new-pierce/

 

[AffectionateDan]

LMFAO!!!!!!

Happy hole pokin'!

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Isn't it always?

Seriously, though. The only experience I have with piercing is my tongue, and it was impressively professional and no more painful that a trip to the dentist's office. Just one little prick in the mouth, and it's all over. 🙄 (take THAT, nawtee southern belle)

When I had mine done, it was with a buddy of mine whose birthday is close to mine, so it was kinda like a birthday present to ourselves. He went first, and I swear, it hurt worse watching him get HIS done than it did when it came to be my turn. And it was SOOOOO worth it! I wish I'd had it done twenty years ago when I was a teenager!

But as far as DECORATIVE piercings, I haven't the foggiest notion. However, if you're thinking nose jewelry, I've always found the hoops far less attractive than a small stud, with say, a diamond or something sparkly on it. I dunno... makes me think of the ring in a bull's nose for you to lead them around by. But that's just opinion, I have nothing else but my tonguestud, which I love. So, good luck choosing!

 

[JoBelle]

Re: LMFAO!!!!!!

Just one little prick in the mouth

Heehee....that's what I found it most useful on TOO!

I slay me!

Joby, celebrating festive martini night!

 

[gargoyleofdusk]

Hiya Mimi.

I still have my bridge piercing, but i do no it differs from a nostril or septum piercing (mine is skin, yours is soft cartilage). Guess the best thing to do - is go to a reputable piercer, and follow all instructions. I hope you do not have any allergies to metals - so maybe go with basic metals - gold studs seems quite basic, maybe even celestrium.

Then again, when in doubt - more tattoos!!

Be well.

 

[Limeoutsider]

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/piercing/piercing.html I swaer I hype this site so damn much they should pay me Good luck with your "hole poking"

 

[4Pawz]

I had my nose pierced at one time. The best I can describe it is this: take a pair of tweezers and grab ahold of a nosehair and yank it out. It felt like that for about 2 min. The overwelming desire to do a dance and rub my nose was the most that bothered me.

I wouldn't go with eyebrow, as if you do not have it done perfectly, you can hit some capillaries and such and have a very nasty and bloody issue on your hands.

Whatever you decide, make sure the place is reputable, and keep it clean. at first the noserings can be a bit annoying if you have a cold. Good luck!!

Pawz

 

[steph]

Dearest Mimi~
Well I'm not a pro but obsessed enough w/piercings to be fairly knowledgeable. I have my tongue, navel and vertical hood done--so yummy, but ok to get to your questions..
You're dead on to want a cbr for nose piercing. I personally am more into the tiny nose screw but for sure the ring allows much better for swelling and initially is what most piercers recommend...

The pain is commensurate w/most piercings I think. Don't know of your previous experiences. I think a normal nose piercing takes between 2-6 months to fully heal. Not one of the most difficult, just keep it clean, leave it alone & do your salt soaks religiously...

Oh God...no gun, never, please run screaming from the building. They cannot be sterilized and they cause trauma to the area. Please, please please...
Email me if you have questions...

Hey folks 🙂

I've been toying with the idea of getting an additional piercing or two for years now, and I think I've finally made that ultimate decision to go forth with it.

The reason for this thread, is that I am seeking some feedback from those of you who have already been there and done that. The first piercing I think I am going to aim for is a nose piercing (ring, not stud). It was a toss-up between nose and eyebrow, but I'm leaning more towards the nose.

So my questions are as follows....

How much pain is involved with getting one of these piercings? Is it equivelant to the pain experienced when getting your ears pierced, or can I expect something a bit more severe?

How long and difficult of a healing process can I expect? Is there a lot of swelling and redness for a while afterward? And if so, how long afterward?

How difficult are they to care for? Do you run a high risk of infection if you do not use the utmost caution?

What tools/system do they use to pierce a nose? I know they can not use the same type of gun that they use for ear piercings, so what is their approach? Just stab a pointed instrument through the location, or do they use the earring itself to puncture the hole?

How much did you pay for your piercing? I want to be sure I get a fair price.

For a nose piercing, would you recommend a ring or a stud for jewelry? I'm leaning toward a ring, simply because I do not want the post of a stud stabbing the inside of my nose. Is that a factor?

I think that's it. I am probably more nervous about the pain aspect than any other aspect of following through with the piercing, but I had the same aprehensions about getting tattoo'd my first time, and now I have a total of 6 tattoo's, and still considering more. So needless to say, the pain was nowhere near as bad as I had expected.

Any help you guys can offer me would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks in advance...

Mimi

 

[sole seeker]

Dear Mimi,

If you must get pierced, avoid the bellybutton.
If you must have your bellybutton pierced, avoid having it pierced front to back.

 

[Mimi]

Don't worry, sole. I will not now, nor ever, be getting my navel pierced. Not even a consideration. The only two I am interested in is nose and eyebrow. MAYBE tongue down the road a ways, but not too likely.

Thanks for all the great links and suggestions, folks. I've been following up on them and getting a lot of my questions anwered. I'm still nervous as hell about having it done, but at least now I know better what to expect.

Mimi 🙂

 

[steph]

I'd love a little nostril screw piercing Mimi...You might try the Tribalectic board (it's my fave piercing site) and then there's always BME. Email me for more if you want...

 

[wishiswish]

Hey mimi,

i've had my nose pierced a couple of years ago, so here's my experience:

the brother of a friend pierced me, he was quite professional but didn't use any kind of narcotic spray (some piercers do this nowadays). he was quite professional and the wohle procedure didn't take more than 1 minute. but for ca. 10 seconds i surely wanted to bite off his hands... i guess i'm quite of a true "sissy" about pain...

and: don't take it off the first weeks, 'cause noses are healing VERY fast (mine fell out overnight and i had to re-visit the piercer after some fruitless attempts with a cannula and nearly fainting)

i've got a black titanium ring and i find it quite practical. as someone already mentioned it's better for the first couple of days ('cause of the swelling), but then it's just up what you like and wether you can afford to stand out somewhat.
now i've got to decide to change it for a smaller item becaue as psychotherapist-to-be i've got to consider the feelings and opinioms of future patients. so think about your occupation...

about the eyebrow thing: i wouldn't recommend it as there are some important facial nerves going through this area, and if you're just not lucky you end up with partial face-immobility (or how ever you call it in english). and the scars, if you ever take it out or just are unlucky and accidentally rip it off (hello wool pullovers and tight t-shirts), are QUITE ugly...

btw: in winter, be sure to choose a piece with a material that doesn't conduct temperature, 'cause otherwise you'll get the feeling of your nose falling off.
and if you're really allergic to nickel, don't take chirurgic steel (there are small amounts of that stuff in it), insist on titanium! a friend of mine is highly allergic and took steel, she had weeks of pleasure to cure the inflammation.


so, enough gibbering. enjoy your piercing. sure it'll look cute.

nik

 

[grrl]

Hey meems,

I have my tongue pierced, and had my navel pierced 3 times. ( no, the tongue doesn't hurt). I went with a group of friends to get my navel done, my sis got her tongue done, mt ex got a lip ring, and my sisters roommate got her eyebrow pierced. Well none of us had any problems, my sisters roomate's piercing grow out, so now she is out 80 bucks (CAN) and has a scar....but my sister got her eyebrow pierced a few months ago, its started growing out, then stopped, and she hasn't had any more problems. However both said it hurt like hell, I will never know, cuz I have been forbidden to pierce my nose or eyebrow by certain individuals ( you know who you are)
But as the rest said, follow the instructions for cleaning it!!


Grrl