At A Glance
Author	Kloot
Contact	Kloot@bme.anon
IAM	Kloot
When	Three months ago
Artist	Julie
Studio	Cold Steel
Location	Camden, London, UK

I'm not sure when I first decided to get my septum pierced. I believe it's the piercing that really showed me the other side of body modification. That there was more than just getting your ears pierced. For me this opened up a whole new world of opportunity and interest.

History
I first saw the piercing about three years ago on a poster in my ex girlfriends room. It was a picture of Robert Flynn from Machine Head. I looked at it and simply thought "Wow!" I thought it was so good. But it was a whole league away from what I could do. I think that ever since I first saw it, I have wanted the piercing, however I always felt I could never get it done, so I didn't give it much thought. It was something that only Rockstars and people with loads of tattoos and piercing could get (remember I was young at the time). I never thought I could become one of those people. I was stuck with being your average kid as far as I was concerned. And as far as other people were concerned I was "alternative". Anything more would turn me into an outcast. Or at least that's the way it seemed.

I had already had my eyebrow pierced and that had caused a fair amount of problems as far as school was concerned. My parents hadn't been to thrilled, but generally it wasn't an issue. Though getting my septum done was probably out of the question. I didn't know anything about retainers, all I knew you could have in it was a circular barbell. But as I saw this poster more and more, I saw the piercing more and more. It became something that I had to have. But due to the various circumstances, it was something that couldn't be done and would have to be put aside. Possibly forever.

So the idea of getting my septum pierced was sent to the back of my mind. My eyebrow piercing had grown out after six months and from what had happened with school, any other piercings would be out of the question. Then at college I had no money. So I basically went modless for about a year and a half. Then I stumbled back on to BME and rediscovered the septum!

The Build Up
Once again I was fascinated by it. But this time the possibility of getting it was far better. It was something that I could reasonably consider. The only problem was that I had no money. So all I did was read up on experiences and stare at pictures. Which one's I thought looked good, which I didn't think looked good. I played about with earrings, seeing what it looked like on me.

I thought about it for a very long time. All the different possibilities going around in my head. "What if it looks crap?" "What if I can't get a job?" "What if I get negative comments?" All the usual shit that you shouldn't care about, but you do. So for the longest time I didn't do anything. I still loved the piercing, but didn't do anything about it.

So then I get a job. So I have money. I have broken up with my girlfriend (a different one who didn't want me to get the piercing anyway) so I have no ties to anything like that. I have heard many great things about retainers. So I figure "Fuck it. I'm going to do this now before I leave it another however many years." My friend Phil tells me he wants his nipple pierced, so we'll go up to London together. Okay, that's sorted.

The Event
The main place I know for piercing studios is Camden. I have been to a couple around Central London, but Camden has a lot of choice. I had been to Chioco Piercings to get my eyebrow done and they were good. Very friendly. I had been to another with one of my friends and they were okay, but very open. It seemed clean, but not sterile. Another place was quite abrupt. They did a very good job on the piercing, but their manner was a bit off. Another place was way too small and crowded. Eventually I decided on Cold Steel. It looked sterile, the people were very friendly and also it's a member of the APP which seemed to be a bonus.

So Phil and I head down there and after much building up the balls to go in, we go in. We have a look at the jewellery and pay our deposits. The guy behind the counter advises us to go and get some food before our appointment which is in about an hour and a halves time. So off we go, potter about, eat and head back with about ten minutes to spare. Phil's booked in to go first, so in he goes. While I'm waiting I start chatting to the guy behind the counter. He was asking if it was Phil's first piercing, which it was. He then starts telling me that that was his first piercing and it is probably the most painful piercing for a man to get. I don't know how much truth is in this, Phil seemed fairly convinced afterwards. From what I gather it seems to be personal preference.

So now it's my turn. I had picked a niobium retainer for the jewellery and was all set to go. In the piercing room was a large padded chair that folded down into a table. Very comfy! I sat on the edge of the chair and Julie (the piercer) started setting up. Taking everything out of its package, changing the gloves along the way. While she does this she talks to me about the piercing and placement. She guaranteed that she wouldn't hit the cartilage which I found interesting. Saying that there is never a reason to touch the cartilage in a standard septum piercing. I was quite surprised by this as I've heard many stories where the cartilage has been pierced. Still, seeing as she was the piercer, and the cartilage is meant to be more painful, I didn't complain.

She first cleaned my nose, then asked me to lie down on the table with my head hanging off of the end. Then she felt around in my nose, looking for the "sweet spot". When she found it, she repeated the process by pressing the blunt end of the needle against it ( I think that's what it was). Once this had been done, she asked me to breathe deeply, and on her word, exhale. So here goes...deep breath and...ex – pop – hale. There was a strong sting during the piercing and my eyes watered. She went to get the retainer, leaving the needle in my nose for a few seconds, came back and put in the jewellery. This was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. All done, I sat up and admired my new piercing. It wasn't crooked (like I had feared). It was just right. And like she said, she didn't hit the cartilage. Not the ring I had dreamed of three years ago, but I had a job now. It had to be hidden.

Julie then asked if I wanted the retainer up or down. I asked for it to be flipped up with the intention of leaving it up there for a few days. I didn't really want to be aggravating it by moving it all the time. As it happens, she told me that as part of my aftercare, to move it about a bit. Just to stop it from healing to close to the jewellery.

So Phil and I left Cold Steel rather chuffed with ourselves. The cold wind made my nose sting a bit, but generally it was fine.

Afterwards
My mum thought it was quite good and my dad thought it was "smart". I think he had been expecting a huge bone or something equally as bad. He even bought me a ring for it for Christmas. Very encouraging.

After having the piercing for just over two months, I have to say it's gone very well. The aftercare was pretty simple. Sea salt soaks and a bit of moving the jewellery twice a day. It hasn't been seen at work. So the retainer defiantly came up tops in that respect. If I had known it was going to be this easy, I probably would have gotten the piercing long ago. Either way, I'm happy with it and am pleased to have made my way back into the world of body modification.