So, my oldest daughter - who is 17 - decided she wanted to get her nose pierced. A simple nostril piercing with a small jeweled stud, not a septum with a bullring or anything like that. It's a delicate little piercing.
She did great with the decision and did not rush into it without really thinking about it, she spent time researching the healing process, what could go wrong, knew what jewelry she wanted, all of the due diligence. The day came last Saturday when she asked me to take her to the shop and get it over with.
I was a little worried that she would get nervous or worked up about the whole thing, but she did great. The piercing technician - artist, guy, whatever - was very nice. He obviously was a fan of piercing, with extensively stretched lobes and septum, along with multiple facial piercings that I don't even know the names of. He explained everything to her, asked her if she had any questions and set to work marking the location and having her check the placement. Everything was lined up and he clamped he nostril and ran the needle through - she didn't even flinch. He then cleaned it all up and gave her the aftercare speech - to her, not to us, which I appreciated. It is her piercing and her responsibility.
What I wasn't really ready for was some of the reactions from parents of her friends. Some seemed disappointed that we let her do it and gave our consent, which is required in our area if the client is under 18. Others wondered why she would do it. I keep wondering, do these people not know us - both Debe and I are pierced and tattooed, not extensively, but it is noticeable.
I didn't think it was much of a big deal for a teenage girl to get her nostril pierced, but apparently it still is to some people.
