I first considered getting my septum pierced in January 2005. Unfortunately, I was only 17 and there was no way my parents would agree to let me get it done. I already had gotten my navel pierced twice and had a surface piercing below it without parental consent, but for a piercing on my face I wanted to wait until I was old enough to go to a place that would actually ID me. I grew up near Boston, so I was familiar with Chameleon Body Arts in Harvard Square. My friends got their tongues, ears, lips, and navels pierced there successfully... but no one I knew had ever gotten a septum piercing! Still, I read some of the reviews on BME and heard great things about piercer Erin and her 7/16" septum so I had my heart set on getting it done at Chameleon.
At A Glance Author Aimy Contact Aimy@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Erin Studio Chameleon Body Arts Location Cambridge, MA When I finally turned 18, a lot of crap happened. I had waited so patiently and I wanted this piercing more than anything, but I never got the chance. But the wait was definitely worth it. I wasn't even nervous about the pain anymore since I was so antsy about getting it! So nine days ago, I finally got an appointment to get pierced by Erin =) I had to wait more than the half hour they said it would take since it was a busy day. I wanted to get a 16g retainer so that I could hide it from work and my parents, but the girl working the register in the jewelry shop was sort of unfriendly. She said they probably had only 14g retainers (which surprised me) and told me to go ask the piercer about it. I don't know why she wouldn't look at me or try to answer my questions, because I was in a great mood and hadn't done anything to her!
When I met Erin, I thought she was really cute, all bouncy and energetic. She told me she had already picked a 16g retainer for me, which I was thrilled about. I could see the huge hole in her septum since she wasn't wearing any jewelry in it that day, and figured that if she could something that big in her nose, 16g would be nothing. All the sterilized tools were on a tray, and I hopped on the table. She stuck her gloved fingers in my nose and felt around. I was relieved when she said that I had a good spot for the piercing, because I've heard horror stories of having to get it pierced through the cartilage. She said septums were her favorite piercing to do and that I would look great with a little ring in there once it healed.
She prepped the spot with what I think was iodine, and some lotion-like stuff on gauze. Then, after switching gloves, she unwrapped the needle. She bent it at a 90 degree angle after about 2cm. Oh yeah, she never marked the spot. She said she usually did it perfectly and I trusted her. I just looked up at the light on the ceiling and waited. She told me to take a deep breath, and when I let it out she pushed the needle through. I thought it was going to kill, but all I could think about were my eyes and trying to keep them open! I forgot about my nose as my eyes started to water and the light blurred. The insertion of the jewelry felt a little bumpy and awkward, but it was bearable. After wiping my eyes, I took a look in the mirror- and it was perfect! Not crooked, not too high or too low. I was so happy. Erin showed me how to flip it in, and it didn't even hurt. She recommended Johnson's baby soap, but I still haven't gotten to the drugstore to get some (bad, I know). I've been using Provon daily, which has been fine. It's just awkward trying to get soapy fingers around the metal. I can't wait to get a 3/8" circular in there.
I went out to dinner with my parents only 10 minutes after being pierced, and they didn't notice a thing! I even had some spicy food and the sniffling wasn't an issue. I spent the rest of the week with my retainer flipped out at SXSW in Austin, TX and my only problem was that I kept bumping it while trying to kiss my boyfriend.
My septum was definitely the least painful of my piercings. It isn't really even pain, it just feels sore or like a bruise. And only if I touch it. It still takes me a little while to flip the retainer in and out, but I do it each day for work since my boss wouldn't be happy if customers saw it. I totally recommend this piercing, and if you live near Cambridgeyou should go see Erin. She's there Fridays and Sundays, and tell her I said hi!