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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask about nose piercing...

33 replies

forpitysake · 22/04/2014 11:56

I'm considering having it done. I'm 38 and I've been dithering for years. There's a place near me which will do it with a nose gun and she will put a small one in. I can change it after 2 weeks. The only thing putting me off is that everything I've read says get it done with a needle. I went in to a 'proper' place (the first place is a coffee shop and knick knack shop but I liked the woman and she took time to chat to me and wasn't pushy). The tattoo and piercing place was more expensive and I didn't feel comfortable enough with him for some reason. He said gun is barbaric and I will have to have big 2mm stud for 6wks. I asked him about gun v needle and I'd had my lobes done twice with gun and he said that was up to me then. He didn't get what I was asking I don't think cos he jumped straight into a bit of a rant about gun piercing and made me feel stupid for not knowing when I was younger that I could have done my ears with needles not guns.
Basically I'd like to know if you have had your nose done and what the best way is/healing times /what side to do etc....AIBU at my age to do it a anyway???

OP posts:

WhereBeThatBlackbirdTo · 22/04/2014 12:01

I've had my nose pierced using both the gun and a needle.

The first piercing was with the gun, used by a hairdresser not a proper piercer (it was years ago and no-one in the area used a needle at the time). It was agony and never really healed properly. After two years, I gave up with it and took it out.

I went to a proper piercing studio a few years ago and had it done with a needle. It hurt just for the few seconds it took to to pierce, healed quickly and I've no problem since.

Hope this helps!

SummerRain · 22/04/2014 12:03

The gun hurts like hell but that said I had my nose done by gun and it was fine for 10 years. I took it out a couple of years ago as the cartilage suddenly started going a bit odd around the piercing but I'm planning on having the other side done at some point.

I think you could find a piercest who'd do a smaller needle piercing though, 2mm is enormous for a nose, it's perfectly possible for it to be done much smaller with a needle, your guy just sounds like a bit of an ass.

Ohwhatsoccuring · 22/04/2014 12:05

Hi,
I had my nose done with a gun when I was 15 (in a hairdressers in Cardiff) twas before they did them with needles (I'm now 39)
It was quick and relatively painless (as far as I remember) I did have a huge ear piercing stud in it though and could change it after the obligatory 6wks.
I would go with whatever makes you feel more comfortable and as long as you look after it properly you shouldn't have any probs.
Good luck

RunsWithScissors · 22/04/2014 12:06

A gun also produces scar tissue that a needle won't.

The gun can also pinch the skin, making healing more difficult.

I had one done with a gun, also had problems with it as previous poster. Needle piercing all healed perfectly fine, and less pain.

Can you find another tattoo/piercing place where you might find someone less aggressive? I've been to a number of different places, and the people vary (as with any other type of business).
it's worth the extra money to have it done properly.

Oh, and good for you going for it :-)

jaysaway · 22/04/2014 12:08

I went to get it done years ago got to the place all settled they put the gun to make face and i chickened out wish i hadn't I like it I dont think the holes that big with the guys needle sounds huge I have had ears done with needle and gun holes are the same size god knows what he is talking about, go to the nice woman who chatted to you get it done lifes to short for dithering, you can get nice nose rings I like the flatter ones personally , go get it done the healing time will be the same,

ChandlerBingsThirdNipple · 22/04/2014 12:08

Never ever get it done with a gun. Ever.

Go to a professional, licensed piercer at a tattoo parlour. Make sure they clean the area properly, mark it up and show it to you so you can check the placement. They should wear fresh gloves, use a fresh needle and dispose of both properly afterwards. You should get a hook nose stud (with a curved back) put in, and you can change it after 6-8 weeks.

Clean it everyday with a sea salt solution and try your best not to fiddle with it! I got mine done last year and I love it. It healed easily and I've had no problems with it - I just wear a small clear diamante stud normally, but I have a few in other colours as well as a couple of small hoops.

Your original stud will be a bit bigger than normal because you need to allow for swelling while it heals. Your piercer will normally switch it out for a smaller one after a month if it's healing okay, though.

QuacksForDoughnuts · 22/04/2014 12:11

The piercer guy sounds like a bit of a knob but he's got a point - gun piercing is ok for earlobes but not for anywhere else, including nose or top of ear.

jaysaway · 22/04/2014 12:13

i got top of ear done with a gun sorry that is not the point of the thread

LokiDokey · 22/04/2014 12:14

Please don't have a gun piercing. These shatter the cartilage and can leave a bump called a granuloma on your nose. Mine was done with a gun the first time and I developed a huge granuloma not dissimilar to the picture. I had to take it out, heal it over 12 months then pierce with a needle.

YANBU to have it done though!

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 22/04/2014 12:16

I had it done by a gun and jumped and it went in wonky and didn't heal properly it also hurt like hell.
Then many years later had it done with a needle, no pain. Healed beautifully

AgentSchraeder · 22/04/2014 12:22

Don't have it done with a gun!! Go to a reputable tattoo and piercing studio and have it done by a professional who knows what they're doing

Original poster

forpitysake · 22/04/2014 12:24

Ooh thanks for all the replies so far. Yuk with the granuloma. I had the top of my ear pierced years ago (gun again) and that hurt like billy-o. DH used to take the piss a bit so I removed it. Always regretted that. But not enough to get it done again though. Too painful!!
I think you're right about looking around more. I didn't want a huge stud. I wanted something small and discreet especially for work. I didn't want to have a massive stud in for ages before I could change it. The woman I first spoke to who would do it with a gun had hers done twice. She said once was with a needle and once with the gun and she said didn't really notice any difference. But considering she's going to be doing it with the gun I guess she's bound to say that! I eventually want one that's less than 1mm and nice and flat. She said she would mark it up first to make sure I was happy with the position and she showed me what she would she would pierce it with too. He was just too busy keeping his sunnies on indoors and not taking them off when he was talking to me. When he was still on his computer. And half turned round in his chair....I'm sure he knows what he's doing though but I still preferred the lady with the gun. But I don't ink I want the gun by the sound of it. Ho hum.... More dithering

OP posts:

Ruushii · 22/04/2014 12:26

A good piercer wouldn't use a gun on the nose or upper ear. Find someone you feel comfortable with AND who uses a needle and you'll be sorted. It pays to shop around.

jaysaway · 22/04/2014 12:27

eek at the bumpy , go for the needle that looks sore

jaysaway · 22/04/2014 12:27

bumpy nose*

Dawndonnaagain · 22/04/2014 12:28

Gun is appying blunt force trauma to the area. Needle far better. All my dcs have needles for their (many) piercings.
If you didn't like the chap, find out if anyone else works there, or find another studio.

donnie · 22/04/2014 12:29

I had mine done with a gun when I was a teenager and never had any problems with it......hurt like buggery fuckery though ! Like being punched very hard in the face for several minutes T'was worth it though!

Original poster

forpitysake · 22/04/2014 12:31

Anyone in the south east near Maidstone who could recommend someone??

OP posts:

LokiDokey · 22/04/2014 12:33

The bumps (granulomas) are ridiculously difficult to heal without losing the piercing so you could end up spending 6 months soaking your nose in hot sea salt only to lose the piercing anyway.

Find someone you are comfortable with. What area are you in roughly? If you don't mind telling us a county I'm sure someone can recommend you a good studio.

LokiDokey · 22/04/2014 12:34

Bloody hell that was a psychic cross post haha

ChandlerBingsThirdNipple · 22/04/2014 12:40

Like others have said, only go to a piercer you feel comfortable with, but make sure they use a needle.

I have 15 piercings and I go to the same piercer everytime. She's friendly, reassuring, asks about my previous piercings each time, has always said to come back if I have any problems or if I need my piercings changing (I have my tragus done and it's hard for me to change on my own)

I'm sure you'll fine someone - just look around, there's no rush! And don't be afraid to pay a bit more for a good experience and a professional piercer.

badtime · 22/04/2014 12:40

I had my nose pierced with a gun. It was at a weird angle and never really settled. If I get it done again, it will be with a needle, as I want it done by a trained professional. I would be happy to pay more to have it done with a needle by a professional piercer, as the process is actually a bit more complex and will take a bit longer (as well as the fact that I would be paying for the services of an expert).

That said, the guy you spoke to sounds like a knob. Ring round some local piercers, and find one you are happier with.

murasaki · 22/04/2014 12:43

Needle, definitely.

I had mine done with a gun at a festival years ago, and it was a bit on the wonk. After a decade or so, I let it heal up, then decided to do it again last year, and went to a tattoo parlour where the did it with a needle, it's now straight, much easier to change the stud, and healed instantly, unlike the first time,. The guy said he could tell I'd had it done with a gun before...

StarSwirl92 · 22/04/2014 12:44

Needle piercing here, it's been fine for the last 3 years. I'd recommend it above a gun.

Original poster

forpitysake · 22/04/2014 12:48

Thanks everyone! Yeah I think I'll take my time and really look around. I would rather pay extra and have it done as best as possible by someone who does it all the time. The pain is putting me off if it's going to be like getting my upper ear done. Although if that hurt more cos it was done with a gun then I shouldn't compare it I guess! Problem is that I've got a toddler who I'm not going to be able to take in with me so it can't be far away cos I'll need a friend to have her while I go. If I've been waiting this long I guess I can wait a bit longer. DH said if i need to make my mind up and decide before I'm 40 otherwise it looks like a mid life crisis

OP posts:

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