Firstly I want to thank every person who has ever written about their experiences on BME, as they have been a great base for information and have inspired me to account some of my tales.
At A Glance Author HaRpIc ChArR Contact HaRpIc ChArR@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist gareth Studio Avinit, Orpington Location Kent, England Current Mods: Navel, inverse navel, nostril, septum, 1/2 inch lobes, 3mm lobe, 8 cartilage piercings, tragus, conch and industrial. 3 tattoos.
My piercings got me in trouble a lot at school as the regulation was 1 pair of gold studs! By the time of 6th form everything became more liberal, and despite my parents best efforts I got my nostril pierced at Avinit my local piercing shop in Orpington. But I wasn't satisfied with just the one in my nose, but my boyfriend reckoned he would disown me if I got the other side done. after trawling through BME reading experience after experience I finally decided that i really wanted a septum piercing as it could be discreet if needs be (particularly in front of my parents and at work), but I would feel secretly pleased with myself every time I thought about it.
So it was settled, an impromptu visit to Avinit at 5pm on a cold winter evening. I drove down and parked just a stones throw away; I went on my own as I wasn't ready to tell any of my friends about it just yet as I could probably have guessed their reactions. So, in I went, got seated on what looked like a medical gurney after filling out forms and showing them some ID and picking out a small black titanium horseshoe barbell (1.2mm). Gareth, the piercist changed his gloves more times than I could count, I was too busy trying to mentally prepare to have a needle shoved through my nose. I had a rather odd experience of him having a good old feel about in my nose which put me at ease because it was so funny! I was clamped and given the old 'deep breath in and.....out' I could definatly feel a horrible pinch which made my eyes water, but the needle was through- hazzah! Next the jewellery, straight in, no problems.
I thanked him plenty, paid up, got the standard aftercare sheet and went back to my car; I intended to flip it up as I was going out shopping with my friends that night. I decided to leave it down whilst driving to my friend Laura's, so I could show her then flip it up. When I arrived at her house, I showed her, she was amazed but not disgusted, and she actually thought it was quite cute! So then I had the fun of trying to flip it up into my nose- I couldn't do it! I thought I'd give it another go in a minute whilst i went to retrieve friend number 2 Helen, who also liked it, but short of really hurting myself i couldn't get it up into my nose! The barbell balls were too close together. I got a little flustered and began to drive back to the studio, i asked Helen to call ahead to make sure Gareth was still there- thank God he was!
So i parked up for the second time, left the girls in the car with some tunes and re-entered the studio. Gareth sat me down and said that ideally septum piercings should be kept down for a few days anyway for them to settle, but i told him that I needed it hidden as I had work the next day. He tried to use BCR opening pliers but as it was such a small ring he couldn't get contact with the ring as my nose was in the way. He said the only was he could do it is to remove the ring and open it that way. I sighed and thought 'I've come this far' and agreed. whilst removing the jewellery he slipped a taper in to keep the hole open whilst he adjusted my horseshoe. I must've looked like quite a wally cuz every time he made an alteration he giggled slightly at the large rod of metal through my nose- he even joked that i should keep the taper in as it looked good and I should keep it in....ok......
Finally he stretched the jewellery wide enough and reinserted, which again made me cry a little. I thanked him profusely this time and went shopping.
I have had the piercing for 7 months; the healing was unremarkable, just some savlon and salt soaks noon and night. My only complaint is that i like to play with it or touch it sometimes to check its there when i wear it up and it must look funny if anyone is watching!
I would recommend the septum as it was fairly hassle free (except for the initial problem); it only gets a bit sore if you've got a cold!
Happy piercing xxx