I sometimes find it hard to believe that less than a year ago I had no piercings. Ever since I got my first I have been hungry for more, and just over a week ago I got my 4th when I had my septum pierced.
At A Glance Author wildwanderer Contact characterwitness007@yahoo.com When A week ago Artist julie Studio Coldsteel Location London Because of the job I do visible piercings have not been an option for me - fortunately this looks like it will change soon when I get out of the job I am currently in - and so choices of piercings have been somewhat limited.
As septums can be pierced with retainers which can then be flipped up so they are not visible, this was a good option for me. There are very few piercings that I do not like, and so I had no doubts about getting it done. I also liked this piercing especially as it is a little more unusual than most. Although it is becoming increasingly popular, it is still not often that you see people with a pierced septum, even in a big city like London.
There was never any chance of me getting pierced anywhere else in London than Coldsteel in Camden Town. They are an APP member, and having being pierced there previously I knew of their high standards of hygiene and professionalism. I always go there to buy jewellery, aftercare products or to ask about any problems that I might experience with piercings.
The only slight worry I had when I went along was to ensure that the piercing could be hidden, and I was reassured of this. They were fairly busy around the time I went, and I was told that I could make an appointment for a couple of hours later or for another day. There was no way I was waiting longer than I needed to ; I thought that if I put it off until another day it might be a while before I got round to it.
Anyway, I paid my deposit and went off to get a bite to eat before being pierced. With any piercing this is always a good idea, as it strengthens blood and so on.
When I went back there were quite a few people around who had either just been pierced or were making enquiries about piercings. There's always a good buzz around a busy piercing studio, where everybody is excited about what they've just done or are planning to do.
I filled in the consent forms, declaring myself to have been free of alcohol and drugs during the day and so on, and then it was my turn to be pierced.
I chose a retainer and then went into the piercing room, which I must say probably beats most hospital wards for cleanliness. The piercer told me that the septum was one of the easiest piercings to get done and care for, which put me at ease as I wasn't really sure what to expect. She explained that she would pierce through the piece of skin between the nose, but that as I could not see up my nose it couldn't really be marked like most piercings are. This made sense.
My nostrils were first cleaned with an antibacterial solution on cotton buds, to prepare them for the piercing to come. It was strange having somebody poking in my nose, but definitely not uncomfortable.
It was then time to lie back on the table with my head back so that the piercer could have a good look up my nose and locate the right spot to pierce. She spent a short time doing this, and when she was ready to pierce she got me starting the breathing motions, and told me she would pierce on a deep breath out.
In all honesty I felt almost nothing. It was not painful at all, and now I knew why she had said earlier it was one of the easier piercings to get done. I almost couldn't believe it when she said the needle had gone through. I was even a little disappointed that there had been no pain ; I am not a sadist or anything, but part of the piercing experience is the sensation of knowing you have done something to your body, and this was slightly lacking. A cork was put on the end to keep it straight while she got the retainer to insert in the fresh piercing. Pushing the retainer in was perhaps a little uncomfortable, but it was done quickly.
Before it was flipped up I was taken to look at it in the mirror. I could hardly see it even when it was down, as apparently my septum is quite high up, but when it was flipped up it was invisible.
It felt a little strange at first, but only when I pulled my top lip down inwards. Otherwise I didn't really notice the fact that I had a bit of metal though the middle of my nose.
The piercer went over aftercare with me before I left, telling me about cleaning it and so on, although the aftercare sheet they give you at Coldsteel is pretty concise. I think it is often easy to forgot what you are told orally in the excitement of the moment.
So, it has been just over 1 week now and I have had no major problems with it. I am hopeful it will be the most straightforward healing I have of any of the piercings I have had done so far. It has been a little sore during the first few days, but only when the jewellery has been moved with cleaning or flipped down. Caring for it has been fairly simple. I clean it with recommended aftercare solution twice daily, and have soaked with with a sea-salt solution occasionally too.
I am so glad I got it done, but this piercing thing is addictive. I am desperate for something else now. I can't really explain it, but I derive satisfaction from having metal inserted in my skin, a kind of reclamation of the body. I really recommend it to anybody considering getting it piercer. It is easy, painless, easy to hide if you need to, and not too onerous in the way of aftercare.
If anybody has any questions, please do feel free to email me anytime.