Septum piercings have always intrigued me. I found them attractive, interesting and the ease of hiding the piercing appealed to me. Unfortunately, I went to a very strict private high school that forbode facial piercings, and my mother used her fear of me getting caught to cover up her dislike of the piercing and wouldn't let me get it done. For several years I toyed with the idea, researched and fell more and more in love with septum piercings. By the time I graduated from high school, I was obsessed and told myself that for my 18th birthday I would give myself a piercing present.
At A Glance Author lippizee Contact lippizee@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Rosa Studio Primalisms Location Boone, NC After I entered college and a little over two weeks after my 18th birthday, I looked around town for a good piercer. I was a bit put off at first, as the first few places I visited put the "ick" into "sickening". Fortunately, within walking distance of my university was an awesome studio called Primalisms. I walked in with Lauren (my friend and piercing buddy) and was amazed at the clean and professional studio. It felt like a blend of a comfortable living room (couches, art on the walls, magazines oh...and a motorcycle in the middle of the seating area, I know everyone has one of those in their living room!) and a doctor's office (clean and sterile). The tattoo artist asked what the two of us needed, and I asked about a piercer. After waiting a few moments, Lauren and I met our piercer, Rosa.
Rosa asked what I wanted and I explained that I wanted my septum pierced. She talked to me a little bit about it and explained that because of the way people's faces are made up (uneven on either side), it could look crooked. I respected her straight forward attitude and I waited a few moments to stew it over. I had been waiting for 2 years to get this done, and I didn't want to back out. The worst thing that could happen, I thought, would be that it looked silly on me but I would have had an experience I had dreamed of for quite some time. The pros far outweighed the cons, so I jumped right in.
Rosa took me back to a small, clean room and sat me down on a chair and explained the process to me as she arranged her tools. I asked about a retainer, and she explained that she was out and could order one and have it to me next week, but instead I decided on a 14 gauge stainless steel horseshoe barbell. Rosa changed gloves whenever she touched anything and was very clear with what she was doing. To help with the tears, she gave me some tissues and clamped my septum with the septum forceps and after an 'Okay' the needle went through.
I'm not very put off by pain (a needle going through your body is going to hurt) and I think experiencing different kinds of pain is mind expanding and interesting. But, the pain involved with the septum piercing was minimal. I felt a short pinch, some pressure and a little bit of burning, but nothing horrible. The cool parts were the tears, and I had a lot. The fact that the piercing made me weep amused me. The jewelry went in with ease, the ball screwed on and the process finished in just a few seconds. My cute septum bled a little bit and I looked at Lauren for any kind of response. Her face reflected the positive.
Rosa handed me a mirror and told me to chill in the chair for a few moments, and offered me pixie stix or other candy to help me if I felt lightheaded or faint. I felt fine! My septum was burning a little bit, but it was beautiful! I was so happy! Rosa then gave me a little canister of Satin soap, an aftercare sheet with her email address and phone number on it, and went over the cleaning process with me. She also asked if I would come by and have my picture taken for her portfolio and told both of us to come by so she could check out how our piercings were healing in a few weeks (Lauren had her rook pierced).
The first night, my septum was sore and tender, and the next morning there was a bit of blood on the jewelry. That was the worst of it, though. I cleaned it twice a day with the Satin soap, used a cotton swab to soak off crusties (there weren't many) and within 2 weeks, there was barely any soreness (and then, only if i mashed on the tip of my nose, and seriously, how often do you do that?) and after a month, it was perfect. I loved my jewelry choice, and I loved the whole process. When I look in the mirror, I feel complete. If I have to flip it up for family (my grandmother has yet to see it, and probably never will), interview or job purposes, I feel sad and incomplete. It is my favorite piercing so far, and one of the best piercing experiences I've ever had. Since, Rosa has done one other piercings (my rook) and I have an appointment for more. She was professional, friendly and straightforward, and I immediately liked her.
Well, there has been one accident involving the septum. I snagged it, hard, after it had healed and ripped the piercing a bit. I just babied the piercing and didn't mess with the jewelry much at all. It was my fault, though, and if you get this done, be careful with things near your face that could catch on it (shirts, rings, etc.), because pulling it is odd. And be ready for 'bull ring' jokes and comments, and lots of questions about 'why would you want THAT pierced?' and 'how did they pierce that?' (my responses? 'because' and 'with a rusty, disease infected needle.')
Septum piercings are beautiful, wonderful and fun! I love mine, and having the experience of getting it done and having this beautiful modification has made me feel one step closer to completion. A wonderful experience (and present to myself) overall.