I had been anticipating and hoping to get my septum pierced for a long time, but never really found myself in circumstances that would warrant having the procedure done. But once I found myself living on my own at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), I figured that now would be just as good a time to have it done as any!
At A Glance Author Sean Morris Contact Sean Morris@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Unknown Studio Zebra's Location Berkeley, California There are a few reasons why I wanted my septum pierced, though the most certain of them all is the fact that it is one of the more unique mainstream facial piercings, whereas the lip and eyebrow have simply become overplayed. I want to start making my body something beautiful, and it makes sense to me to start at the top, right in the middle of my face! It also didn't hurt that I could flip it up and hide it for job interviews.
As far as the average American regards the piercing, I really couldn't care less. I think it looks really nice, and centers out my face in a very elegant way. So I didn't have to worry about the whole "how-will-people-see-me" fear that some have when getting their first piercing.
So on October 1st, 2006, me and two of my roommates hopped in the car and drove around the local area of Hayward, CA to try and find somewhere nice to get the piercing done. The first was a total bust, considering the piercer was in the process of building a wall and had really messy hands that I didn't want to take any chances with. The second shop to which we ventured was pretty clean looking, but was overpriced as hell, sending us on the road once again. It was at this point that Corey (my roommate) and his girlfriend recalled a place called Zebra's, which apparently has a pretty solid reputation in the Golden State. I wouldn't know, being from Philadelphia.
With that, we made our way north toward Berkeley. After hearing that Zebra's was open all hours of the day and was very fairly priced, I started to get nervous, knowing full well that this was it - I was about to get my first professionally done piercing, and it would be what I understood to be one of the most painful of them all. My heart raced with both excitement and anxiousness.
After a typical city parking debacle, we found ourselves inside Zebra's, which was booming with customers to the point I could barely place my request. In a few minutes, though, I was signing a release form and picking out jewelry by a helpful, giant man. I had decided on a curved barbell, for the sake of me being able to flip it up my nose if need be, and the fact that it just looks really good. After that was said and done, we took a number and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
It felt like an eternity, but number 15 had finally dinged us in. The piercing room was cozy and welcoming, just as I had hoped it would be. The walls had been sweetly decorated with bamboo, giving the room a very calming island vibe. I think it should be noted that this helped a lot in relieving my nervousness. This in itself made the drive all the more worth it.
The black chair was a different story though. Intimidating and menacing, it loomed in the corner awaiting my butt. Before too long, I was sitting, facing the wall with my eyes closed. I peeked open to see a gloved hand putting a swab in my nose, for reasons I'm still not sure. Without saying a word, the piercer then put the clamp into my nose. My heart felt as though it was pounding out of my chest, and I could already feel the pain of the hollow needle piercing the most sensitive area of my face.
But all the preparation in the world couldn't have prepared me for what I felt a few seconds later.
The pain was stabbing, and immediately sent shockwaves throughout my entire body, causing my muscles to tense up and my eyes to simply gush tears. It was as if someone had turned on a faucet on the top of my head opened up a floodgate into my eyes. But just as soon as they had filled, they dried up, and I sat dazed in the leather chair.
The piercer then informed me that the jewelry I had picked would be too small, and that he would go and look for a bigger version of the same curved barbell, leaving me stunned with a needle through my nose. On the bright side, this showed me that I definitely couldn't pull off the whole "tribal" septum thing, because the straight needle through my nose looked absolutely ridiculous. But before I could wonder any longer, the piercer came and put the jewelry through my newly pierced septum! This process felt more awkward than anything else, unlike the actual piercing which was very much just painful.
With the jewelry in place, I looked in the mirror. I was ecstatic about how it looked - it was just as I had wanted it. I rose to my feet, and fell to my knees when one of the craziest head rushes of my life came over me. I felt as though I was going to both pass out and vomit, but chose to take my chances on the couch-thing that they had set up. I lay down, still dazed, and pale as a ghost (from what my friends told me).
Everyone was really nice about reviving me, which I still really appreciate. Corey and his girlfriend took turns holding an ice cold Sprite can on my head (which, for the record, helped a lot in bringing some color back into me). Shortly thereafter, I'm pretty sure I passed out for a minute or two. I woke to feel cold towels on me, again, which I really appreciated. I could feel these things helping, so I rose to my feet once again, only to feel my legs buckle and me back on the bed. At this point, though, a little Sprite was all I needed to get some color back in me. I attempted walking one more time, and was this time successful. We decided to celebrate my newly regained walking ability and my new piercing (as well as Corey's, who had is nostril done just moments after me) with some Blondie pizza. That was the final thing I needed to bring me back to speed.
The day after I felt fine, probably thanks to regular cleaning and saline soaking. I was more pleased than ever that I had gotten the piercing. The ring did hurt when I moved it from side to side, but not front to back or back to front. I slept fine for the next two days, again, thanks to regular cleaning and saline soaking. That brings us to today, four days later.
My nose feels fine, and I can't even notice the ring unless I touch it. I slept fine last night, and am no longer experiencing the "punched-in-the-nose" feeling. I intend to keep on cleaning it for the next week or so, or until I run out of Piercing Care Solution!
Go get pierced!
Love, Sean