2020 has been an interesting year, and many studios were shut down for 3-4 months. Now that piercing studios are opening back up, and there are new restrictions and regulations.
On August 24, 2020, I visited Eclectic Body art in Olean, New York. Before my visit, I spoke with the piercer, Jakob White on Facebook Messenger. I let him know that I was interested in another nose piercing and more new jewelry for my nostril. Jakob asked for a few pictures to see what I already had and let me know that due to COVID-19, piercings under the mask were not being performed. Reputable piercers are not doing any jewelry changes or piercings anywhere under the mask. Since I knew what size jewelry I needed and the type I was looking for, I went in to pick out new jewelry and to talk about a new piercing in a more appropriate place.
When I arrived at the studio, I messaged Jakob to let him know I was outside, and he let me know it was okay to come in. Due to COVID, the shop’s restrictions included:
- Only one client can enter for any jewelry consultation or piercing.
- Masks must be worn at all times
- Your temperature will be taken at the door
- Forms will be filled out in your car/questions pertaining to the virus will be asked before your appointment.
I arrived five minutes before my appointment and messaged Jakob to let him know I was there. He met at the door and took my temperature before starting our consultation. Since I knew what size jewelry I needed for my healed nose piercing, it was a matter of picking out a threadless end that I liked! There was a large selection of Neometal ends. I chose a blue bezel set CZ to match the blue CZ’s I have in other piercings. There was a broad selection of jewelry from Anatometal, Neometal, Leroi, Buddha Jewelry Organics, and BVLA. I completely fell in love with a bezel set three CZ Leroi cluster, and it fit perfectly in my upper helix. That made the decision easy! I was getting a new helix piercing.
Before starting the piercing, all of the jewelry was sterilized and packaged, and the piercing process was explained to me in detail. I filled out all the necessary consent forms, and a photo of my driver’s license was taken. I was taken into the piercing room when everything was finished being sterilized. I wasn’t nervous yet, but I was excited!
I laid down on the piercing chair and tilted my head to the right while Jakob marked my ear, to make sure that it was the perfect place for the jewelry and optimal healing. I looked at the placement in the mirror and was happy with the dot placement and ready to get pierced. I knew I was being pierced with an 18g needle, and the end was a 5/16″ threadless ball end.
I was able to see that all the piercing materials were packaged and sterilized, and Jakob let me know what he was doing anytime he was around my ear. Before the actual piercing, he let me know I would feel a sharp poke and had me take a series of deep breathes. When I was ready, he had me take a deep breath and performed the piercing on the exhale. The piercing wasn’t that painful, it pinched for a minute, and the jewelry insertion was so smooth that I didn’t feel the transfer. On a scale from 1-10, the pain of the actual piercing was a two. It was super quick; the longest part of the whole experience was putting the end on and cleaning it up (which took a few minutes at the most). After everything was done, I was asked how I was feeling before getting up and was able to get up and look at the piercing!
Before checking out, I was given aftercare instructions again and bought a Neil med Saline Solution. When I felt confident about caring for my new piercing, I checked out, and we took pictures of my new piercing.
I was told not to touch the piercing and to make sure that if I were to move it, to wash my hands! I am currently cleaning it with the saline twice a day and pat it dry with gauze if needed. The total cost of the piercing with the new threadless nose jewelry was around $125. I, of course, tipped Jakob as he made the experience easy, fun, and comfortable.
I can’t wait to go in to downsize the end of the piercing and get a new piercing! We may be limited due to COVID, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get pierced at all. This was a different experience, but it was 100% worth it!
Hello! My name is Emily and I obsessed with piercings (and tattoos) since I was a little girl of 6 years old. I was fortunate enough to make my passion my work after meeting my amazing husband Jeffrey who owned his own tattoo shop. I just recently finished my internships at some of America’s most famous piercing shops and a dream to start something together was born. After falling in love with each other (and each other’s piercings and tattoos) we decided to expand his tattoo shop and I got to manage my own piercing shop in the same space! I’ve never been so happy being able to share my love for piercings through my shop and this blog I started back in 2013. We love to share models and inspiration, so feel free to email me your suggestions, pictures or if you just want to say hi!