Stings a bit but i wouldn't say it hurts. The worst part of it is having to keep it clean. it does tend to go a bit crusty at first, yuk. the best studs are the corkscrew kind as they don't fall/pull out that easy, though they are hard to get in. It takes a while to get used to blowing your nose with it in! but after a bit you just get used to it. Mine came out in my sleep once - i think i knocked it because it was quite sore. I couldn't get it back in again easily so left it out. i have a tiny white scar there now. If you do get it done, as someone mentioned above, make sure it is somewhere clean and reputable and they do it with a needle and not a gun. are only used for ear lobes, and even then most places I know use needles for ear lobes too. they should inform you about aftercare and tell you to contact them if there are any problems.