Ever since I was about 14 I have been obsessed with piercings. They didn't come into my life until about a year ago. Last year I wanted my tongue pierced, to start off. Something hidden, and in a way, pleasurable. Wasn't my favorite piercing at the time but I didn't want anything too flashy. I had to get my mom to take me because I wasn't 18 yet. And I wanted it done professionally.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When N/A Artist Jessica M. Studio Phoenix Tattoos Location Elmhurst, Illinois I have always loved septum piercings, if I was walking down the city and I saw someone who had it I would turn around and follow them just to I could have another second. I would randomly go up to people and ask them how the piercing procedure was done, if they liked it, what people said about it. I was very much curious. About two months after my 18th birthday I decided I was going to go for it. Unlike many people of the "pierced community" I have a fear of what people think. It's not that I'm 'scared' but I don't like the feeling of knowing someone is uncomfortable with my piercing. But it was going to be on my body, so why would I care? I may have to put up with my parents for a while, but who cares right? I'm 18.
So I did some research and found a couple local places. I wanted something with good reviews and a clean environment. After a few calls I had found just the place! Phoenix Tattoos. I went in and told them what I wanted; they were very nice about everything and very helpful. They had me sign a few papers and I sat down and waited.
After about 19.7 seconds they called me up. (They didn't even give me enough time to physically stable myself) By this time I was shaking. I am really good with pain but when needles are involved I tend to get light headed. I was more exited than scared but I still had a fear it coming out crooked or messed up. I sat down on what looked like a dentist's chair, which by the way was exceptionally comfortable. And Jessica, my piercer began the verbal part of this 'operation'. She told me what was going down and how they were going to do it and so on and so on. She had an assistant or an apprentice piercer who just stayed in the back watching (it was kind of weird and uncomfortable, but I wasn't turning back because of some creepy kid). She pulled out her little cart full of tools and clamps and...yes... she did pull out the... needles... (EW) She asked me if I mind that she do it freehand because my nose was a bit small for the clamps. I agreed of coarse; I wanted to make her job as easy as I can. And I didn't like clamps anyway; they left my tongue numb when I got it pierced.
She then began un-wrapping the needle and everything else. I had my eye on the needle but I'm pretty sure she had un-wrapped more stuff. She was very clean about everything and she changed her gloves like 3 times... It's like she was stalling or something. It was probably my imagination but I just wanted it done already. Then she approached with her cart and my blood froze; I was starting to feel silly I almost had to slap myself. I was getting all jittery over a piercing. I calmed down and just went along.
She cleans the septum wall of my nose and did something that kind of tickled. I think she was pulling the bottom skin down. This was it. The time I have been waiting for my whole teenage life is right here, right now! So many things were going through my head! My thought then scattered when she told me to hold my breath I took the deepest breath I could and SNAP! CRACK! A very sharp, yet numbing feeling. It kind of felt good. Then as she slid the needle over it kind of stung. She attached the retainer on the other side of the needle and slid the needle off.
I was still frozen, and it felt like someone just stuck a needle though me. My eyes were watering and my nose felt swollen already. She brought me a mirror (which was nice, when I got my tongue in Miami they made me get up and look at the mirror on the wall!). Everything looked perfect. It was everything I expected and more. She gave me some healing papers and a bottle of cleaning solution and I was on my way.
Every daily task now became a mission. Putting on and taking off my shirt, picking my nose, wiping my nose, blowing my nose. If you touch right underneath your septum it's a killer pain, everything and anything you do you are conscious about. If your hand get too close to your nose you pull back. During school id flip up the retainer so no one sees it till it's about healed I wasn't ready to take on all the attention. I knew it as 'the hidden septum'. During PE our class is playing floor hockey and dodge ball. Two very dangerous sports to play while you have a healing septum. After about two days of hiding it, I felt it was time. On the bus none really noticed but when I got to my classes I head everything from how awesome it was to how it was the piercing 'bulls' got... it wasn't as bad as I thought but everyone eventually got used to it and I'm still VERY happy with my new piercing. My parents on the other hand, still think it makes me look like a 'gangster'. (haha)
But remember, as long as you clean it regularly (I clean it daily) and just leave it alone (don't bump you nose on random things, which may end up happening anyway) you should be fine. I have had mine for about a month and a week and it feels like its not even there anymore. I already changed the jewelry, I have a CBR in it now somewhat of a smaller diameter. If you have any questions or comment feel free to e-mail me! I'd love to help.