Like many of the other writers, I'd been thinking about septum piercings long before I got mine. It's always been my favorite facial piercing - not counting a brief eyebrow obsession in middle school, didn't know any better, hardly counts - and I loved seeing it on people, one of whom is my good friend Joshua, whose enthusiasm helped encourage me to get one of my own.
At A Glance Author Androgyne When Three months ago Artist Kevin, senior piercer Studio Splash of Color Location East Lansing, MI Naturally, I looked at a ton of photos and read dozens of stories on BME. I did the same before I first got tattooed, kind of a crash course so I'd be "prepared." My non-Joshua friends were openly NOT KEEN on the idea - said it's tacky, too overwhelming for my (admittedly small) face, etc. Here's what I figured: I don't need some dudes (my friends are mostly male) projecting their expectations for my appearance toward something I find aesthetically pleasing. And I've never liked my nose, so by essentially decorating it, maybe I could reconcile with what I got.
Automatically went to Splash of Color because it's where I was inked, I know people there, and trust their super-sterile, friendly facility. The afternoon I went (with my friend Jenny, who I accompanied to her nostril piercing several months prior, sort of my nose-piercing partner in crime), Kevin (senior piercer) was there so he took me right away as a walk-in.
I told him I wanted the 16g retainer to start, since my mom's a traditional filipina woman and would be, regardless of my age, disappointed in my decision if she knew I pierced my face. We grabbed the jewelry and headed back to Kevin's room - complete with overhead skylight for the faint-hearted, which I was, at this point.
He asked me to lie all the way down. He cleaned my nostrils - the q-tips felt a little intrusive and I flinched, but otherwise the smell was fine, even distracting in that it gave me something to joke about. Next, he took his time in setting up the dots for the piercing, making sure they were even, etc. He was extremely gentle/accommodating the entire time, asking if I was ready, explaining every step.
He applied the clamps to my nose, the pressure from which was uncomfortable but useful because it almost numbed the area - imagine pinching yourself for long enough that you feel the pressure, but not exactly pain. I closed my eyes after this. I felt him scoot close and ask me to take the obligatory deep breath in, which I held for awhile because I wasn't sure if he'd tell me to exhale. Ha!
"Okay, let it go." I breathed out carefully, felt the sharp tip of the needle against my nose, like a shot. Then a moment of painful resistance, and a CRUNCH POP! as it pushed through my septum. I definitely made some kind of "mmeehhh" noise at penetration, but was mostly grateful that every second going by was a second toward it being over. This, for me, is the best part of body modification - surviving the process and enjoying the result.
He slid the catching tube through, with my retainer, adjusted it intently, and told me I could sit up and check it out in the wall mirror. I flashed back on this particular moment in many septum stories, of love at first sight with your new piercing, and was happy to have it with mine. The retainer felt HUGE and clumsy in my nose, but looked almost impossibly small. I was super grateful and relieved, and I think Kevin was a little amused.
Another perk of Splash: they have great aftercare kits (very thorough, so you don't have to remember exactly what they're telling you after the procedure), and discount coupons ($5 off piercings, $10 off ink) - my piercing was really affordable.
That was a little over 2 months ago. I've since gone back (to Jill, another lovely Splasher, who was extremely kind and helpful with finding the perfect jewelry) to have a closed ring put in, which hugs the underside of my nose. It was a little soon to have someone fiddling around in there, so the holes are still a little tender when bumped.
Otherwise, healing was fine - there were several days of considerable soreness and constant crusting, which was worse than the after-soreness of a new tattoo, and I had to be careful changing my clothes and sleeping, and get used to sticking those q-tips up my nose. Those awkward nose-in-glass salt soaks really helped, when the area felt tight. Then, as suddenly as it came on, the discomfort left. I could carefully move the retainer up and down (usually in the shower), and concentrated on just keeping it clean.
This is my first facial piercing, and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Looking in the mirror is like seeing someone closer to myself than the person before. The friends who weren't originally all about it agree that it's sweeter than they imagined. I haven't had any weird run-ins with old or especially conservative people, only polite questions and the occasional compliment.
If you're considering this piercing, but are being dissuaded to a nostril or some other consolation prize, just do what you think you'll love - you probably will.