Having a full meal before getting pierced is a good idea because it will help keep your blood sugar steady, according to Secret Ink. Low blood sugar could lead you to feel to feel dizzy or even faint during the piercing, which is not ideal.
Eat/Drink: Always eat a meal at least two hours before heading in to get pierced! Do not drink a bunch of caffeine or energy drinks before coming in! It will thin your blood and make it harder to sit still. Medication: Pain relievers/ swelling reducers are best saved for after the piercing.
Before your piercing, please make sure you have something to eat – a full meal is ideal but even a chocolate bar or fizzy drink at the bare minimum. This will ensure your blood sugar levels are at their best, minimising any risk of fainting. It is important that you are feeling good in yourself before your piercing.
After avoiding dairy products, citrus fruits, sugary foods, hot and spicy foods, and processed foods, it is important to also avoid starchy foods after getting a nose piercing. Starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, and pasta should be avoided as they can slow down the healing process.
Pain Scale: 5 on a scale of 1-10. The pain scale is 100% subjective and based on clients' feedback. Nostril piercings are said to be a bit more painful than lip or ear lobe piercings, but not as painful as septum piercings. Aftercare: Keep the area clean to avoid infection.
Spring is a good season to get a nose piercing – your piercing will have enough time to heal before the warmer months, and you can enjoy your new look all summer long!
Most of our clients tell us there is little, to no pain and or that it feels like a little pinch or flick. Common piercing areas, like ear lobes, are low pain because there is no cartilage present. Areas with tougher cartilage like the nose can be a little more painful, but it's over in seconds!
Don't arrive drug or alcohol affected. Wear clean, comfortable clothing that is suitable for the piercing e.g know that if you wear a dress for a nipple piercing appointment – it will be coming off! If you want to – arrange for a supportive friend to go with you. Most piercers will allow this.
The most important thing to do is to make sure you eat at least 2 hours before your appointment, as low blood sugar can increase your chances of fainting. Drinking plenty of water and getting a good night's sleep before your appointment can also really lower your chances of having a fainting episode!
Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing site. Avoid swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Don't fiddle with your piercings.
Make sure to eat something a few hours before you come in. Getting pierced on an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy. Allow plenty of time for your visit.
Your sweat is sterile to you, so shower like you normally do and clean the piercing afterwards with saline or sterile wound wash. Do not swim in rivers, lakes, hot tubs, pools, or oceans until your piercing is healed.
Bond's advice is to be proactive with cleaning from day one and to choose a reputable piercer who uses “implant grade titanium, or even better, solid gold”. She also recommends not sleeping on your nose piercing or touching it. Basically: be smart about aftercare and you should heal up with minimal nose bumps.
In general, tattoos tend to hurt more than piercings because the needles used for tattoos are larger and go deeper into the skin than the needles used for piercings.
Complications include: Nerve damage: The piercer can inappropriately puncture the nose and hit a nerve in the process, causing permanent nerve damage. Necrosis of the nasal wall: A piercing technique that causes trauma to the nose tissues, can cause death of the cells surrounding the jewellery in the nasal wall.
Cleaning a nose piercing for the first time can be challenging, as the area will be painful and tender. However, cleaning the piercing site will help soothe it and reduce pain and swelling. Experts recommend cleaning a nose piercing twice a day until it heals completely.
Face Shape
For those with a symmetrical face, the piercing will look equally good on either side. But those with an asymmetrical face will usually find a nostril piercing flatters one side of the face more than the other. In this case, you can try wearing an artificial nose ring and see which side you prefer.
Before changing your nose piercing, make sure it is completely healed. 2-3 months is the standard healing time for a nostril piercing. Once you feel like your piercing is good to go, then you should be okay to change out your jewelry.
Brooks says going with a stud for your initial piercing is your best bet. "This typically causes less immediate stress and is a bit harder to play with for those who may be inclined to rotate a ring." Look for studs with a gemstone between 1.5 mm (sparkle) and 3 mm (bling).
The most attractive spot for a piercing is the belly button. The least attractive is a tie between the nose and the nether regions.
Along with the nostrils and belly button, the earlobes are the safest and most common body part to be pierced. The flesh of the earlobe heals well when the area is cleaned regularly and the piercing is done at the proper angle.
Uncommon piercings may be more costly due to the fragile nature of the procedures. A few more uncommon piercings are eyeball piercings, dermal piercings (pictured to the left), corset piercings, some genital piercings, uvula piercings, bridge piercings, and anti-eyebrow piercings (the latter two are pictured above).