After months of debating, I decided to go ahead and get a septum piercing. I searched around my home and found an excellent shop to get it done at. This shop was Acme's Piercing. It was extremely clean and the people were very friendly there. I also lucked out because it was within walking distance of my college's campus (University of Cincinnati), where I lived at the time.
At A Glance Author Steph Contact BloodOBath@aol.com Studio Acme's Location Cincy, Ohio At the piercing studio, I picked out a 14 gauge circular barbell for my piercing. I was then led into a room downstairs to be pierced. While in the room, the piercer instructed me to sit down so he could check for veins and whatnot in my nose. Using a small flashlight, he told me i was clear to go. He then used q-tips to rub some awful smelling crap in my nose. Next, he pulled out the sterilized 14 gauge needle and told me to take a deep breath. The needle went through with no problem. No pain whatsoever. My eyes watered a lot though, which is a perfectly normal reaction. He then slid in the jewelry I had chosen. That part was a little uncomfortable, but not bad. The next part was tricky. Trying to screw on the internally threaded balls was not easy for my piercer. After several attempts, the balls were finally on and the piercing looked great. My piercer had to use pliers to open up the circular barbell for me, for the purpose of being able to flip it up into my nose. I would need to be able to hide it while I was at work. After paying and thanking my piercer, I left the studio, extremely happy with my new lovely, yet sore piercing.
The next few days went well. I cleaned the piercing about 3 times a day with antibacterial soap and warm water. I also soaked it in warm water mixed with sea salt, which I had gotten for free from the piercing studio. The piercing was, of course, sore but it was bearable. Rotating the jewelry was rather uncomfortable, but was a task that needed to be done. Also, the first couple of week I had my septum pierced, I found that drinking from soda cans could actually be painful!!! A few times, the circular barbell got caught onto the soda can tab while I was taking a drink. This hurt!! From then on, I remembered to always take off the tabs before proceeding to drink. Hahaha.
It's now months later and I love my septum piercing. I already have a 12 gauge c.b. in it and I plan on stretching it more, most likely to a 6 or 4 gauge. I would definitely recommend this piercing to anyone. Here are some answers to common questions asked about septum piercings:
1.) Does it hurt?
* Oh please, I hate this question. No, it didn't hurt me, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt you!! Despite this, it definitely WILL HURT if you have a shitty piercer who decides to pierce the actual cartilage in your nose.
2.) How much did it cost?
* For me, it was $60, but only because I chose a circular barbell instead of a captive bead ring. Most places charge between $40 and $60, less if you bring your own jewelry. Also, don't be thrown off by more expensive shops. The shops that charge more are usually the cleaner, better, and safer shops. Paying more for a piercing isn't going to kill you - - it's for your own good!
3.) How long did it take to heal?
* The soreness went away after about 5 days. The total healing time for this piercing is about 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the person and how quickly they heal.
4.) What did you use to clean the piercing?
* I cleaned it about 3 times a day with antibacterial liquid soap. I would suggest using Dial. I also soaked my nose in sea salt and water once a day. I did this by mixing 8 ounces of warm water with a teaspoon of sea salt in a cup and then attempting to stick my nose into the cup.
5.) Don't you realize you look like a bull now?????
* Yes!!! Now die.
As far as other piercings go, I currently have my tongue, eyebrow, labret, septum, nipples, navel, and ears 10 times (including 1/2 inch lobes). I definitely plan on getting these other piercings: madison, both wrists, tongue web, hood, tongue two more times, two lowbrets, scrumper, and a backpiece (probably corset). After those, I think I'll finally be done!!! As far as tattoos go, I am currently designing my own tribal design to be placed on my side, extending from my armpit down to my thigh. I also plan on getting a cutting soon, and perhaps even a branding.
~~Stephanie