It all started about 2 years ago. I've wanted my septum pierced since I was 17....badly. There have been so many times that I had the needle right there, about to go through with it, but I always caved and put it down. Nothing could get me to go through with it. And that was with a 14g needle....I always wussed out, without fail.
At A Glance Author Synner Contact Synner@bme.anon IAM Synner When A month ago Artist Bryan Studio NewBreed Tattoo Location West Lafayette, IN A little over two weeks ago, my friend Allison wanted to get her nipples pierced. She's wanted it done for a few years, as well, but just like me, always gave in, never having the courage. I took her to NewBreed in West Lafayette, knowing that the guys there did amazing work. She walked in, waited for a few minutes while I finished my cigarette.....I had enough time for 3 drags before I had to throw it down and push her back in the door. She was ready to give up again, but this time, she had me. I wasn't letting her get away with chickening out this time.
I pushed her back through the door, told her she was already there, she might as well do it....I even offered to hold her hand while it was getting done. She agreed...I guess I'm just convincing. We walked back together, she got marked, she got pierced....and she found out that she was freaking out over nothing. Two weeks later, she loves the piercings, and she's not having any problems with them at all.
After her piercing, getting everything set, and getting ready to leave, she started complaining about being the only one getting pierced. I had about $40 in my pocket, but I didn't know what to get done...then it hit. She dealt with years of fear, I might as well do it, too.
"Hey, just out of curiosity, how much would it be to get my septum pierced, and what's the biggest you'll pierce it at?"
They told me it'd be about $35 to get it done, and they wouldn't go over an 8g with mine...I told them to do it at a 10. Then I started to get that look of "Oh crap, I can't do this." And it was EXTREMELY obvious. So obvious, in fact, that everybody working in the shop that day felt it was their duty to make me comfortable...so they started cracking jokes, and offering to bring people in off the street so I can have a REAL audience.
>From one side of the shop, I hear "F*ck it man, just punch it to a zero! You won't feel a thing! You don't need your cartilage, anyway!"
About 15 seconds later, as I'm lying down to get marked, the other piercer walks in. "Hey, you're gonna eat the cartilage that comes out, right?" I couldn't help but laugh. He almost looked serious. Around this point, I was settled in and ready to go....well, after I stopped laughing and Bryan could actually get a straight mark. A couple minutes later, I was marked, Bryan had the needle out and ready, and he was finishing up with the preparation. I laid back in the chair, got wiped with some antibacterial stuff on a q-tip (now THAT was an interesting smell), had the marks double checked, and it was time to go. I was no longer nervous, I was anxious now. I just wanted to get this done. I was expecting pain, and I was hoping I was wrong, but I had this feeling that it was going to hurt like hell. I saw the receiving clamps, and I knew I was right, it was going to hurt. I saw the needle, saw that it was HUGE, and knew I was right. I was about to be in for the worst pain of my life.
The clamps go on. Ok, that stings a little, but it's nothing I can't deal with....but this piercing, this is going to hurt, right? I know it, this is about to hurt.
Here comes the needle.
Almost there.
Breathe in. Wait for the pain.
I exhale, and I hear a slight crunch, and I feel something tugging at my nose. Apparently the needle got slightly caught halfway through.
I knew I was right.
I was a wuss. It didn't hurt at all. Of course, there was some pressure, and the snag in my nose stung a bit, but pain? Geez, it was nothing. Ten seconds later, the ring's in, the ball's set, and I'm ready to get out. Pay for the piercing, thank the guys for all the help, thank the crowd, and I'm out the door. It's been about three weeks, and I still don't know what I was so worried about. I have loved every second of this piercing.
For anyone in the West Lafayette, IN, area, I definitely suggest going to NewBreed. Go in there once, and you feel like a customer, like any other place. Go in twice, you feel like family. They're one of the best places I've seen yet, and even the shop has that "home" feeling to it. And if you're going for a septum piercing...don't look nervous. And if you do....be prepared, that's the best advice I can give.