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At A Glance Author Fleshmod Contact Fleshmod@bme.anon IAM Fleshmod When N/A Artist Self-done Stretching Your Septum Is Cool
Once I got into body modification more and more I wanted to go big. I'm nowhere close to the final picture but my ideas have been successful so far. I've had other piercings but my septum became the first real project other than my earlobes. I know certain cultures have used the septum piercing as a scare tactic towards other groups and I know you can be considered a punk if you have a metal ring through it. My intent for getting one was because I like the placement and I know it can be concealed if needed. I decided to go to a local shop called Steel Impressions and was ready for the new hole.
I anticipated the rush I would soon receive and made my way to the shop. When I got there I contemplated getting it pierced at 12G or 14G , not knowing the 12G would've been better for my future stretching. So I went with a 14G using a steel ring. The guy doing the piercing has a 2G still to this day and back then I didn't even notice it. I may have thought lightly about eventually stretching mine but I didn't know I would go as big as I have. So, this guy Joey gets everything ready and then tells me to take the normal deep breaths as always. When he got real close with the needle I had my eyes open trying to see him at work. Then, right when he pokes the first side my eyes automatically close and my eyes tear waterfalls in a matter of seconds. I'm sitting there like yeah I swear I'm not crying and he's finishing up putting the ball in. I remember looking at it in the mirror and thinking that it was simply awesome. My family didn't hate it and of course my friends thought it added to my craziness. What more could I ask, oh, wait, is it possible to stretch it? The answer was yes.
I followed the instructions I was given and it really healed nice. I can't remember how long I had it at 14g but it couldn't have been very long. For some reason though, the more I thought about the gauge of my septum the more I wanted it a little bigger. I'd seen the pictures on BME of stretched piercings and I figured I could at least stretch mine a little using household items. I searched my house for things to use and at first I used different sized sewing tools. I would leave something in for like a day and then try fitting similar sized jewelry in later on, of course being sure to use enough lubricant. I soon got up to using small plastic paintbrushes and as long as they had no edges to them they worked pretty smoothly. Remembering patience was a key factor to my success even with such unpractical methods.
After a couple of months back and forth deciding how big to go I came across the decision of stretching to 2G. I continued my methods but started using wooden paintbrushes. I discovered I could cut small pieces and sand the edges to fit a slightly bigger piece in every couple of days. I also got a little creative with my jewelry by slowly and tiresomely cutting and sanding an antler tusk to the size of a 2G. I must say that I crafted a damn fine looking tusk, but it would get stuck if it wasn't oiled enough. I did keep the tusk in for a good couple of weeks but, yet again I decided to go bigger.
I wanted to go to a 0G and that's usually a big step in stretches so I needed the patience to work it up slowly. I have a couple different sized acrylic plugs and I used them for some of the healing periods with my ears so I knew I could put a 0G in when I was ready. You basically have to know your own body and how it heals and how it's affected by stress to know when to mess with your piercings. I continued stretching in very small increments and that worked for me. Soon I was at 0G and I bought some sweet jewelry for it.
I don't suggest my methods to anyone but one thing that's important always is patience. I'm now still at a 0G and the pain was worth it. I really don't have any problems with my septum and I may stretch even bigger. If your going to stretch any piercing be ready for reactions. When you go big with a facial piercing you'll definitely draw attraction from others. I just enjoy the art in general, but the looks from others makes me laugh a lot too. I've learned that I may appear different from others because of my modifications but I am not them and I shouldn't be like them either. Just do what you enjoy because you think it's cool.