I was actually breezing through this web site reading other tales of septum piercings when I decided I wanted it done. My boyfriend is apprenticing at a shop I spent the day with him there and around closing time I mentally confirmed that I'd like it done.
At A Glance Author michelle Contact howbag76@hotmail.com When A week ago Artist Josh Studio Skin Tattoo and Design Location Milwaukee WI It had been a long day, the piercer was pooped but with a little buttering up he agreed to not make me wait until tomorrow. He did the usual set out all his sterilized equipment and my jewelry. I chose a horse shoe shape so that it could be flipped back into my nose- hidden away.
I wasn't nervous until I walked into the piercing area. I had heard some horror stories about the septum. I shook the nerves out of my head and blew my nose first- I really didn't want the piercer to have to dig around in any boogers. After that, he put two gloved fingers up my nose. I stopped feeling nervous here, there's no point in it now. You've basically reached the "point of no return" He cleaned it with a liquid that didn't smell too bad, and felt around for placement. If you feel in your nose, there is the outside skin, a soft "gushy" area, and then the hard wall of cartilage. That soft gushy area is where your piercing will go.He said my nose had a perfect spot for the piercing. Which pathetically excited me. He then dabbed a little lube on either side to help the needle slip in and out with less irritation. Bingo Bango- we were ready to go!
When he was ready to pierce me he had me count to 3 but pushed it though at 2! The pain was no where as bad as I had expected! I felt the needle poke my outside skin, then I just felt slight pressure as the needle slid though. It can be deceiving because pain in your nose instantly makes your eyes water and since we usually connect tears with pain it's easy to be mislead. However, like I said pain level was low. He then slid my jewelry through which is usually the worst part, but still not bad.
Immediately afterward my nose felt fine. I flipped it up into my nostrils right away to see if it would work. It completely disappeared! It was a very fun idea, like a little secret in my nose. I have had the piercing for a week now. I wear it out, except to sleep. Then I flip it into my nose this way I don't have to worry about it snagging or rubbing on blankets or pillows. It just hides away in it's house :)
The next couple days the healing piercing was a MINOR inconvenience. Aftercare was simple enough- with antibacterial morning and night, saline, and sea salt soaks are always a plus.
*A tip on sea salting in your nostril, mix the salt and water, then stick a cotton ball in it. Let is completely saturate itself and shove it the nostril.
I felt some pain on the outside of my nose, due to a small amount of swelling. The swelling was not very visible to the average eye, but the skin on your nose is already so tight any swelling is moderately irritating. It almost felt like the tip of my nose had been sun burned. The swelling subsided in a couple of days and now it feels great. I'm still following up on aftercare but it already feels like I've had it forever.
The only complication (very very minor) I had with healing was that all the soap and sea salt dried the skin in and around my nose. It didn't hurt, it was just itchy and annoying. So sometimes after cleaning I'd take a clean cotton swap and dip it into some mild un scented lotion. I'd then take the cotton swab and run it along the inside of my nostrils. Then with a clean one did the outside of my nose. Be sure also to use a clean on for either nostril. Having wet slimy lotion felt funny but it definitely helped! I usually did it right before bed that I could go right to bed and not have to feel "squishy nose" all day.
At first I was afraid to sneeze, when finally one came I was quite relieved- I didn't feel the piercing at all. I was somewhat worried about blowing my nose- or how it would feel in my nose. I was afraid I'd constantly feel like I had a booger in my nose. However, after the swelling went down I don't feel it all. I feel it a little touching the outside of my nostrils when it's flipped out, but when it's flipped in I don't feel it at all. As for blowing my nose it's weird because when you blow you nose you generally smush your nostrils down but now something blocks it. It doesn't hurt, it's just a reminder that it's there. Also- always double check that in the process nothing stuck to your jewelry!
As a side note- the "bullring" is a very in your face piercing- so expect stares. You can of course choose any jewelry you like but I highly recommend the horseshoe shape. It's easy to hide, and I felt it made healing easier.