Two weeks ago I decided that I wanted my septum pierced, much to the surprise of my unusually supportive family. Why surprise? Well like many people I thought the septum to be an ugly and unfeminine piercing, but over time my opinion has slowly changed.
At A Glance Author Al Contact Al@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Joanne Studio The Belly Bar Location Kent The more I browsed through the galleries on BME, the more I liked the idea...and so last Monday morning I called Joanne, my piercer, and made an appointment to be pierced that Tuesday.
I was a little disappointed that I couldn't have been pierced on the Monday, for several reasons really...one I'm one of those people that once a decision has been made, likes to follow through with it as soon as possible and two I had heard that the septum was a fairly painful piercing.
I awoke on the Tuesday morning to momentary relief, I didn't have to work and I had the day completely to myself...then...
"Oh god it's Tuesday!"
I felt the butterflies begin to flap, my head racing with the usual question. "Do I really want to do this?"
Of course I knew that I had made the right choice, but I go through this every new piercing I acquire.
I arrived at the parlour fifteen minuets early, having forced myself to eat several slices of toast and jam; washed down with a highly sugared cup of tea. The apprentice piercer and I chatted while we waited for Joanne to arrive. All too suddenly 9:30 rolled around and in bustled Joanne, smiling brightly.
"What made you change your mind?"
She asked, referring to my obvious change of heart regarding the piercing I was about to get. We had in the past had many a discussion about it, and funnily enough she had for-warned me that one day I would change my mind.
"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure"
I replied. The butterflies flapping again.
Once upstairs, I seated myself in the chair; I've always though that they purchased the chair from the same company that dentist do, it wouldn't surprise me.
I tried to relax, to breathe as deeply and as steadily as I possibly could. Of course it helped that Joanne was chatting away at a mile a minuet (as usual) excitedly discussing her plans for a new tattoo, while carefully making sure everything was 100% clean.
Eventually it was time for Joanne to pierce me; I gripped the arms of the chair tightly and tried once more to steady my breathing. I would like to point out now that I have VERY thick cartilage, my standard nostril piercing was painful and I rightly believed that this would be too.
"Ok, take a deep breathe in hun"
Joanne said. As I did so, I felt the need begin to go through...Uncomfortable but bearable, or so I thought.
"Almost through, remember to breathe out"
She whispered. I suddenly felt the whole needle going slowly but steadily through, and the pain erupted; although I must say the sound of the process amused me somewhat.
After what seemed like a lifetime Joanne rose and swiftly and deftly put in my new jewellery.
After accepting the glass of water Joanne offered me, and taking a few large gulps I felt ready to stand. I walked shakily over to the mirror and as with all my piercings I was thrilled; it looked perfect.
After a wobbly negotiation back downstairs, I was met with a huge grin from the apprentice.
"It looks great, it really suits you"
He said.
"Thanks"
I replied. I thanked Joanne and paid, leaving a tip and promising that I would no doubt be back very soon hankering after another hole.
As with my other facial piercings, my septum is healing well and has proved to be decidedly popular among the parental unit.
I would recommend that those of you, who consider the septum to be an unattractive and ungainly piercing, go back and take a second look...I'm so glad I did.
As for the pain, yes it was painful; no I don't have a particularly high pain threshold but my guess is that the septum is one of those universally painful piercings.
As a further recommendation, I would encourage anyone thinking of getting a piercing to go to "The Belly Bar" in Canterbury Kent. As I have found over the years, each and every staff member are both enthusiastic and highly professional. Always friendly and willing to offer advice and support, extremely clean and most definitely qualified.
As an afterthought, the septum piercing is also very conveniently hidden. I'm lucking in the respect that my work allows me to freely express myself through body modification but for those of you that don't have that luxury I would say that the septum is most definitely the piercing for you.
Much Love and good luck with your piercings...Al.