Before doing any procedure on your face, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. Even if it’s as small as getting your nose pierced, it’s a decision you cannot reverse without ending up with small scar tissue on your nose. So, before you decide to take the plunge and embellish your facial features with another piece of jewellery, there are some things you should do.
Give your decision a second round of thought
Let’s say you’ve decided to get your nose pierced. In your mind, it’s a done deal. But, before you book an appointment at a professional piercing studio for your nose or belly button piercing, consider your decision. Just give it another round of thought and ask yourself the following questions. Why do I want to pierce my nose? Is it my decision or am I just trying to look cool? Will I regret this decision? Is this really something I want? If you’re unsure about at least one of these questions, you may have to think about this more.
Learn about the risks
Just like we read about the possible side effects of a new medicine we’ve been prescribed, or we read the fine print of a contract, you need to learn about the risk. There’s a risk of infection, but it’s something you’ll be advised about at your chosen piercing studio. It’s important to follow their every instruction and to invest in proper aftercare.
You need to ensure you’re not allergic to the nose piercing material and double-check with the professional about the material. If, in any case, you know that you might have an allergic reaction, you should not proceed.
You also need to be prepared for some kind of discomfort, some might call it a painful experience, while others will say that it doesn’t hurt. In reality, it is painful to a degree but it’s closer to just discomfort than to unbearable pain. It will hurt a bit, so be prepared.
Safety first!
Safety is always the main condition under which a facial procedure will be performed. For this very reason, you need to find a suitable piercing studio. The person you go to get your nose piercing should work under sterile conditions. They should rely on hygienic and safe methods of piercing and use medical-grade jewellery. Most importantly, this has to be a pleasant experience even if you do feel some level of pain during the procedure.
You’ll have to be of legal age
This condition varies from country to country, depending on their rules and regulations. Some have a requirement of 16 or older, others find the age of 18 as the required age while there are countries like the UK where kids can get a nose piercing without any age restrictions.
If the age is lower than the age requirement, the only way to continue with the procedure is to give a legal guardian’s permission. Either way, it shouldn’t be done if the person is under the required age or without permission.
Aftercare is a must
If you won’t be patient and consistent with the recommended aftercare, don’t even get a nose piercing. By not following the aftercare instructions provided by the piercing studio, you increase the risk of a complication.
You should always wash your hands before touching your nose or cleaning the pierced area. You’ll be advised to gently clean the area with saline solution or any other solution recommended to you. The area should be kept dry and sterile. You might even have to hold off from applying makeup for a while. Lastly, you should not remove the piercing during this time.
The healing period takes time
If you’re looking for the exact time period, it can vary from just a few to up to six months. During this period, you should not try to remove or change your piercing. Also, you should not remove the piercing for longer than up to a day. If, for some reason you have to remove your piercing, you need to hold off from it for the first year. If there’s a risk of getting your piercing ripped or your nose hurt because you play a contact sport, use nose protection like a bandaid.
Don’t get a nose piercing if your sick
Even if you’ve booked an appointment a month ago and you suddenly feel out of sorts, cancel it. We live in a time of highly infectious respiratory disease, so any symptom of a cold or any other health symptom, should not be ignored. It’s better to wait until you feel your 100% to get your nose pierced. Even if it’s a common cold, you don’t want to have a runny nose and risk turning a sterile environment into a germ-filled studio.
Lastly, you need to prepare for some itchiness and even scabbing and even a not-so-pleasant scab. But this is just normal and it will pass. These are all the precautions you should know about if you’re getting a nose piercing. If there are any complications, don’t ignore them and go to a medic for medical advice.