I've gone to Sacred Heart before for my double vertical labret piercings. I had no qualms about going there again. One day i'm walking along moreland ave. in Little 5 Points when my friends look to me and said, "lets get pierced." We sat around and just chatted about what piercings we would get. They decided on getting navel piercings and a labret. Once it was my turn to divulge I thought to myself, "I did always want to try to get my septum done. It appealed to me because it's something you don't really see everyday in the mainstream piercing scene. I also liked the fact that I can flip the jewelry up for work or at home.
At A Glance Author Daedalus Contact Daedalus@bme.anon IAM Daedalus When It just happened Artist Jason Murray Studio Sacred Heart Tattoo Location Atlanta, GA After a nice meal of pizza I decided to go through with it. I've heard several things about the piercing. One of my buddies told me that it was an awesome piercing and I should look forward to getting it and eventually stretching it. As I thought about it, I imagined fitting my 6g surgical steel pincer in it once it was healed. I witnessed the actual procedure a few months back and it seemed like a really simple piercing. My mind was set.
After hoofing it up the stairs I arrived at the studio. We chatted a bit about my last piercing and I informed Jason I was in for the long awaited septum piercing. He seemed rather adament in getting me this new piercing. He quoted me a rather reasonable price and inquired as to when I wanted it. Seeing that I psyched myself up for it and it was a long time coming, I was ready for it.
I went into his room as he prepared for the task at hand. The chair was adjusted for an upright position and I plopped down as he took a look at my nose. I had ample room for the piercing according to him. He asked me if I wanted it either 12g or 14g surgical stainless steel retainer. I opted for 14g since I already purchased a 14g-niobium retainer earlier when I first thought I was getting it. He explained to me that he pierces a tad higher because it looks better and when the jewelry flips up its almost undetectable unless you're looking up my nose. He layed out the forceps (?), needle and a cup with a dab of ink for his reference lines.
After swapping gloves for what seemed like the 5th time he cleaned my nose off with a bit of soap and got a toothpick and began drawing lines to figure out where exactly the piercing is supposed to go. The lines were to make sure that he didn't mess up and make it crooked. He dabbled a bit on my nose till he thought they were right. I looked at the blue crosshair on my nose and yep, dead on. Once the lines seemed ok the forceps were clamped on and locked in with a rubber band. He bent the needle a tad so everything can go smoothly.
After a few deep breaths the needle went in. It hurt, I won't lie but it wasn't an excruiating pain, it just hurt. I did tear up but everyone does, it's your nose. The jewelry was butted on the needle and then he fed it through and extracted the needle. I was pierced. After a bit of cleaning up I checked in the mirror and it all lined up. I wasn't really worried about this. He did the angles right on my vertical labrets. After a small discussion about the aftercare and what to expect I marvelled in the mirror at my new piercing. The aftercare was simple. Don't fiddle with it, don't rotate it up with crusties on it and don't use anything except a swab and some warm water and sea salt. My nose ran a tad but that was just the reaction to the piercing and the soap he used to clean the area.
I payed and tipped him and was on my way. I will return in a month or so to be added to his portfolio as another sucessfull septum piercing.
It has been a couple of days and the piercing is just fine. For a bit it felt like someone had socked me in the nose but that wore off quickly. Despite the swelling DO NOT take Tylenol or any pain relievers. The pain and swelling will subside. I have seen slight bruises near the tip of peoples' noses but I was lucky enough to have a pristine nose. I wear the retainer up due to my job but make sure to clean if off twice a day with a swab and some warm water and sea salt. Often times I forget its even there. So far, so good. I'd recommend this piercing to anyone. There is nothing to be skeptical about, its great. Jason is also a very competent piercer and if you're in the Atlanta area, stop by and get a new hole done, its worth the money!