It honestly almost took an act of congress to get my septum pierced at a 10g. I decided I wanted a septum piercing, a few months before, and figured I would want something a little more substantial in my face then the standard 14 gauge. 10 gauge seems to be the size that I gravitate to, so decisions made I headed down to Sachs.
At A Glance Author Sarah Contact Sarah@bme.anon IAM SarahBrown When A year ago Artist Billie "fingers" Studio sachs Location albuqeruqe nm I arrived at Sachs made nice-nice with the counter person and paid, only to find out that the piercer (Joe) who was in at that point. Was "not comfortable doing a septum at a 10" at first I was more then a little put off, I had after all walked a few miles to get there. But the more I thought about it the more respect I had for Joe, to admit to not being comfortable he was safe guarding me, as the client, putting me in front of his own ego. So no longer put off, I find out that the more experienced piercer (Billie) would be working in just 4 hours. So I headed out to run some errands and after 4.5 hours I returned fully expecting to get my septum pierced.
When I arrived I refilled out all of my paperwork, placed it into the pile of those waiting for a piercing. To kill time I flipped through the flash mounted on the walls. 1 navel and a pair of nostril piercing later it was my turn, I was so amazingly nervous remembering all the painful stories that I had heard. Billie was reading over my paperwork when suddenly he called me into the back room and my heart fell, "we can't do it, I don't have any non-latex gloves in my size." Now I'm put off really put off, I enquired as to when he would be getting them in. I was told next Tuesday. So off I go to wait a week.
One week later I walk back to Sachs the familiar pre-piercing tension building once again. I arrive to find out that Billie is not in due to an illness, but would definitely be back on this Thursday. I hate to say it but I stomped out the door muttering under my breath.
Thursday I called ahead to make sure Billie was in, when I arrived he tells me that the glove club had sent extra small instead of extra large. And sends me up to Sachs' sister store Hardware. When I arrive at Hardware the senior piercer explained to me why I didn't want my septum to be done at a 10g. He said he wouldn't do it at any thing larger then a 14 gauge. I was so horrified with his attitude that I just turned around and left, swearing to myself that I would wash my hands of all of these people, and go elsewhere.
I arrive at Sachs prepared to yell at everyone till I received a full refund and an apology, suddenly Billie shows up with bright purple gloves on, and says those magic words "let's do this."
Still being in my angry mind set I stomped after her expecting the roof to fall in, aliens to land, or something equally as far fetched to keep me from getting my septum done. I sit down on the chair as Billie prepared his piercing tray; I lost count of how many glove changes happened.
Billie Stuck his fingers up my nose and starting feeling around, explaining to me what the sweet spot was and how I had a rather small one. So this was going to be a tight fit. He cleaned the inside of my nose, and asked me if I was ready.
"Yes" I responded
"Okay I'll push on 3. 1.....2...(push)"
I must say that being pierced when you are super put off is not a good idea. I have never been that unprepared for that level of pain. I admit I shriek probably fairly loudly, and I was only but a great feat of will that I did not grab his hands. Billie kept reminding me to breath, and asking me if I was okay. I told him I was okay and he could go ahead and do the needle jewelry transfer. Turns out it was already done, I just hadn't noticed. After widening the Circular bar bell so that I could flip it up into my nose, Billie handed me a Sachs t-shirt saying he was sorry for all of that drama surrounding my piercing. After running over the after care I was up and out the door.
I must say by far that septum was my most painful piercing, but in trade off the easiest to take care of. The first few days it was definitely painful to touch the end of my nose or move the jewelry, but after about a week there wasn't much of a problem. And after a month the sea salt soaks and soap washing didn't seem to be that necessary any more. It's been over 1.5 years and I still love my septum and I am so glad I didn't have to pierce it at any smaller gauge.