At A Glance
Author	AliceApparatus
Contact	apparatus@cox.net
IAM	aliceapparatus
When	Six months ago
Artist	Ian
Studio	HTC Body Peircing
Location	Tempe, Arizona

A septum piercing has always looked very appealing on others. I have wanted to get my Septum pierced among other things pierced such as my bridge and lowbrets, since I was eighteen. I would like my piercing to be symmetrical. Finally, on April 18th 2006 after waiting for 3 years for this, My friend at the time Craig and I had been walking around and shopping that day on Mill Ave. About seven months ago...I had the money; being impulsive as always, I walk into HTC Body Piercing in Tempe, Arizona over by Mill Ave. I ask the guys at the desk to get my septum pierced, how much it would cost, etcetera. I told everyone at HTC Piercing that I wanted an Eight gauge but they all advised against it and that I should probably at first just go for a ten gauge.

This picture was taken shortly after I had my piercing done, with just the retainer in it.

Craig and I were escorted into Ian's piercing booth shortly after discussing everything with the employee's and signing some paperwork; Ian, the piercer was very calm and nice. This helped calm me down a bit since he was very calm. I held my friends hand or more like squeezed it because I am terrified of needles and this was the first time I have had anything pierced. Yeah, I have never even had my ears pierced. I asked Ian before he pierced me if it would hurt anymore than the scars that I showed him on my arm. He said something like, "probably not". He had me lay down on the table, cleaned my nose out with some q-tips with some kind of solution on them, he told me he'd tell me when and to take a deep breath.

It was fast, simple and painless. I was so happy and exited afterwards. I did although encounter some problems. Ian had pierced it crooked, I had to go back in and have the piercing fixed. A month later, my nose got infected; I wouldn't even touch my nose that's how bad it hurt. It looked as if my nose was a big larger also.

I forgot to read the guide that was given to me after my piercing experience which tells you how to maintain your piercing. It said in there that you should not take out the jewelry, if in fact you think it may be infected and to just leave it in and come back into the shop to have them look at it. Well, I took it out and left it out for more than 24 hours. This was a very bad move on my part, taking the jewelry out and not reading the guide in the first place. I ended up going back to the shop; Ian was working at one of the other locations. Ben, another piercer there cleaned out the hole and then put the jewelry back in and told me that the puss would be able to drain out now and it should be fine. He also told me if it did not improve that I should come back in. Everyone who works at HTC piercing has always been very nice to me even though I have had a lot of problems with the piercing. They haven't charged me a thing for my visits since.

About three months after the piercing my retainer fell out while sleeping. I couldn't find it and I still have no found it. The whole had pretty much closed up because I hadn't had anything it for a couple days. My roommates' friend Plaid who does piercing came over, re-pierced it for me and gave me an awesome black crescent. I wanted to do it myself(which is a very bad Idea and please do not try to do that ever); I tried for about a half hour and gave up. Plaid then had me lay on the couch, tilt my head back on the arm of the couch and re-pierced it for me. Plaid is one cool cat, thank you again.

experience Upkeep on my septum piercing was a bit annoying at first but eventually I did get used to it. Finally, about three months later after getting my piercing done I received the black crescent I wanted. I wanted it to be a bit thicker, and look more like a bulls piercing so eventually I will end up having to stretch it out to an eight gauge. My piercing experience was very interesting and a bit of a hassle although it was worth it.

and this is how I feel about it now.

I'd like to thank and let Ian, Ben and Plaid know how much I appreciate them for their time and patience. Thank you!!! <3Heather