Facial and body piercings are wildly popular nowadays, and they seem to being reigning supreme. Whether it's a nostril piercing or a septum, many people have been seen rocking either fake or real facial and body jewelry. If you're considering getting whatever it may be, here's a firsthand account of how it happens.

I have two (technically three) piercings, if you're counting earlobes. I have a nose piercing and a tragus piercing. The tragus is a little triangular piece of cartilage in front of the opening of the ear canal. I've had my nose piercing for a little less than a year now and I completely love it. Both were bearable in terms of pain, the tragus being a bit worse. Piercings obviously, do come with a bit of pain and when researching what piercing you're going for, it's important to check out the pain scale that comes with it. If it sounds too daunting- it's probably best to wait until you maybe get more comfortable with it.

My tragus hurt worse than my nose, probably because the cartilage is thicker there. My tragus also bled. My nose felt like a pinch, and the part that really hurt the most for me was when they were putting the actual jewelry in. Like all piercings, the pain is over usually within 5 seconds, and an experienced piercer will definitely know what to do to minimize the pain. Speaking of piercers, it's highly, HIGHLY important you go to someone professional and experienced. Depending on who you go to, you might have to pay more money, but it's worth it for a good, safe piercing in the end.

A piercer should be able to walk you through what they're doing step-by-step, from the disinfecting of the desired area to the actual build-up of the deed itself. Check to make sure the place is reputable too. If more than one person has shared a bad experience about that place, it's probably better to find somewhere else. All equipment they use should be sterile and should be pulled out of new plastic packaging. If they're reusing needles- run as far away from the place as you can. Who wants a disease?

Aftercare is a thing too. Depending on what you get, aftercare could be more time-consuming and healing time may very. Your piercer should tell you what to do and how often you should be cleaning it. Improper aftercare can lead to infection and can cause your piercing to close up. If you're going for a nose piercing, you might get the dreaded and feared "bump." This has multitude of causes, usually related trauma or poor cleaning habits. If this is a concern for you or if this ends up happening (it did for me) talk to your piercer about what you can do to help make it go away. Salt solutions are a god send. Aftercare can be different for everyone, but if you're looking for a quick and wonderful way to clean your piercing(s), salt solution are great:

1. a mug of hot water

2. 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

3. a paper towel!

take the paper towel and wet it in the solution, and hold it on the area for 5 minutes, then rinse the piercing in cool water.

*disclaimer: if you're piercer tells you different instructions, listen to them! I'm not a licensed, experienced piercer, I'm just sharing what worked me. If it works for you too- awesome!

Piercings are a great expression of personality. It's your body and you can do what you want with it! Ultimately, piercings are a matter of safety and cleanliness. If they're done right, and taken care of right, they are low-maintenance and give you an element of badass-ery. Do what makes you happy, and if a nose piercing will make you happy- I 100% support it.