When I originally talked to Nick about wanting my nose pierced in some way, I was originally envisioning myself with a nostril piercing, done with a captive bead ring. However, he was quick to point out that my current school situation may prohibit me from being able to keep that piercing long term. I am a music major, which requires me to participate in recitals and performances where it may not be deemed appropriate. I am also going to be student teaching next year where it may cause a problem as well. I know myself well enough to know that I do not enjoy being confronted in any way, and did not want to deal with fighting with teachers and administration all the time, at least not right now. Because of this, Nick suggested that I either get my nostril pierced with a small stud, which is considerably more subtle, or consider getting my septum pierced instead.
At A Glance Author Ashley Contact Ashley@bme.anon IAM Starrynights When Three months ago Artist Nick Studio Ultimate Location Rochester, NY I knew that I did not like the look of a nostril screw for me, and had never even entertained the idea of piercing my septum before. At first I did not think it would be very flattering. I was picturing large gauge and diameter jewelry, which could easily overpower my nose, as it is rather small. However, Nick started showing me jewelry, and when he pulled out some tiny, 16 gauge circular barbells, I began to seriously consider the idea. However, I wasn't ready to commit to anything that night, and told him that I would call him when and if I was ever ready to do it. Little did I know that I would be calling him just a few days later!
I had been talking to a friend of mine about it for a few days, but kept being a big baby about the whole idea. He is also into tattoos and piercings, and gave me the push I needed to finally go through with it. He also agreed to go with me and hold my hand, which gave me the moral support I needed to finally go and pierce my septum. So I called Nick in the early afternoon and told him we would be in later that night. This led to a whole afternoon of agonizing worry about the whole procedure. Add that to the fact that the friend I was going with was a guy I did not know terribly well, and my nerves were compounded. I think I was as nervous about seeing him as I was about getting pierced! However, I managed to get through the day and walk into the studio.
The minute I walked in, a whole stream of gibberish gushed out of my mouth, about how nervous I was and how I would never be able to go through with this. At this point, Nick is laughing at me, and at the same time, trying to convince me that it really won't be that bad. I think I was just intimidated by the septum's location on the face. Before then, I had only had ear piercings. Some of them were extremely painful and difficult to heal (my snug comes to mind as a prime example), so I knew I could handle those aspects of the piercing. However, I was just worried about having a needle in the middle of my face. What if I didn't like it? What if he messed up? It would be right in my nose for everyone to see.
Once I had calmed down a bit and filled out the appropriate paperwork, Nick, his apprentice, my friend, and I all gathered in the piercing room, where I was told to sit down. Nick started by washing his hands, putting on gloves, and then setting up a tray with all the supplies. He showed me all the tools in their autoclave bags and told me what they would be used for. This was to show me that they were sterile, and so that I wouldn't be as intimidated by anything that he would be putting near my face. Then Nick started lining up the clamps. They were heavy and awkward, but I wouldn't say that having the clamps in my nose was painful. Once they were lined up evenly, to help ensure that my septum wouldn't be crooked, Nick explained the piercing procedure to me. He told me to take a deep breath in, and he would pierce me on the exhale. Then I'd take another deep breath in, and he's follow through with the jewelry. Holding my friend's hand for dear life, I got ready to take my first deep breath...
Just as Nick explained, he quickly pierced me. The piercing itself hurt, but it wasn't unbearable. It was certainly easier than so many of those "crunchy" ear cartilage piercings that I had gone through previously. He gave me a little bit to catch my breath, lined up the jewelry, had me breathe in again, and followed through with the barbell. This was almost more awkward than the piercing itself, but again, was nothing unbearable. At this point, I'm pretty shaky and my eyes are tearing a big. Nick screwed on the other end to my barbell, handed me a tissue and told me to relax for a few minutes.
This is where Nick really takes his job a step above and beyond so many other piercers. He has piercing table side manner (for lack of a better word) that could put anyone at ease. I was told to take my time, make myself comfortable, and let him know if I needed anything. I think I was shaky afterwards because I had gotten myself so worked up about the piercing itself. However, after a few minutes of relaxing and a cup of water, I felt ready to get up again. Once Nick was sure that I wasn't going to pass out on him, he handed me a mirror, and I saw my new piercing. I was so happy with it. The placement and jewelry were just what I wanted, and the piercing was perfectly straight.
Once he saw I was happy with my new piercing, we left the room and went over aftercare. The aftercare was pretty standard and just consisted of warm sea salt soaks (either sticking my nose in a cup or using cotton balls, which ever was easier for me). He then gave me a sheet which went into the aftercare in more detail, and had the shop's phone number on it, in case I ran into any problems in the healing process. I left the shop a very happy girl that night.
For the rest of the night (and probably a few days afterwards too), I walked around with a ridiculous grin on my face, because I was so happy with my new piercing. At first, I had every intention of wearing the barbell flipped up inside my nose, so that it wouldn't be visible. However, after I got it done, I got really attached to wearing it down. So now I wear it down almost all the time, unless I am in a more professional situation that dictates that I hide it. The only time that I've really had to do that was when I was observing classes at a local middle school. I love my septum, and it is great for someone who wants a facial piercing, but isn't quite ready to commit to having it showing all of the time. I'm sure that I'll get that nostril piercing that I originally wanted at some point, but I think that I'll know when it is the right time and place for me to get it done.