I've wanted my nose pierced for almost four years now, and after a long drawn-out time of waiting for parental approval, and saving up money and deciding on the placement, piercing shop and jewelry, I finally got it done at the beginning of the semester. However, I felt wholly unprepared for the reality of it and for the upkeep of having a hole in my face. I've learned a lot in the past three months about what it really takes to have a nose piercing.
The initial pain is way less than you would expect...
Piercing pain can be a little over-hyped. Mine felt like a mild shot, if even, and stung for less than a second. Obviously, pain is different for everyone, but in general, unless you have a tendency to be more sensitive, the pain should be manageable when it is first done.
...but the soreness lasts a while
You can start with a ring!
I know it seems silly, but I was always told you had to start with a stud piercing. Choosing what jewelry fits you best is super important; being comfortable with the type of ring or stud you use will make you more motivated to work to keep it in and clean, and it can save you from possible extra fees for changing out jewelry at a shop.
The healing process is a process
It takes MONTHS for the piercing to fully heal, and even when it feels healed, it may not be. The outer part that you can see heals much faster than the inside of your nose. Cleaning with a saline solution of just pure sea salt and water can help keep things disinfected and sterile, but it won't speed the process up
Nose piercing bumps will haunt you
If you are lazy about cleaning for even a second, your piercing will develop a pimple-like bump around the piercing site. They are painful and weird looking, and worst of all you aren't supposed to pop them. Tea tree oil and continued cleaning should make the bump go down, but be people will still be concerned about your "infected" piercing and it does take a while to explain.
You'll get asked about it by EVERYONE
And not just parents and friend's parents, and everyone you would expect, but even friends from home and strangers on the street. Sometimes it's a good comment, sometimes it's well-meaning, and so often it's along the lines of "How is that going to work in the professional world?". People are curious and often have strong opinions about tattoos and piercings, and so most of the time I let it slide, or turn it into a productive conversation about the professional world and piercings.
It will become a part of you!
I can't remember what my face looked like pre-piercing. It's a part of who I am in a cheesy way; it's small and insignificant, but I know without it I wouldn't feel right. It's a part of my identity and I wouldn't have it any other way.
