Another piercing on my checklist was my septum, and today I finally got it done. I would have gotten it done yesterday, but unfortunately a badly timed snowstorm decided to blow through my town, and driving in the conditions provided by it was definitely not a good idea. But I knew I was going to get it done this weekend.
At A Glance Author Arandur Contact Arandur@bme.anon When It just happened Artist I don't know, unfortunately Studio Just Another Hole Location Pennsylvania, USA I've wanted a facial piercing for a long time, but could never make up my mind on which to get first. I considered labret, monroe, eyebrow, etc. and none of them really appealed overmuch to me, except when I started giving a septum piercing serious consideration. So after reading up on how to take care of it, the dangers involved with it, what it's going to feel like, trying to imagine what it would look like with my specific facial features and structure, and browsing other peoples' personal experiences with the piercing, I knew it was time to take the jump.
When I got to the shop, surprisingly I wasn't too nervous, even as I sat down and filled out the form. My favorite piercer was there (unfortunately I still haven't gotten her name), and she was surprised I was going to get my septum done, since I'm relatively new to body mods.
Anyways, I finished up filling out the form and she got out the supplies. The clamps for the septum piercing were fascinating indeed, the ends coming together to form a small tube rather than the usual ones.
I chose a purple 18 gauge circular barbell because I didn't like any of the 16g's they had, and I know the septum can be easily stretched later. Oddly enough, she ended up having to pierce it with a 15 gauge needle because no 17 gauges were available, and she always pierces a half size above the size of the jewelry being used. At this point I was definitely nervous, because ironically I'm deathly scared of needles (yet addicted to piercings), and the closer you get to the time when the needle goes through your skin, the bigger the needle seems.
Then came the painful part. She felt my septum a bit to find my sweet spot, and placed the clamps there. The clamps were surprisingly painful, and they triggered the tears to come down my face even though I didn't feel like I was crying. She had to take them off for a moment because I needed to gather myself again, I think I fell apart because the pain of the clamps was so bad and I thought the needle was going to be a thousand times worse. But it wasn't.
She put the clamps on for a second time and I held myself together, and I tried not to think about it as she picked up the needle and put it through. I was more surprised by the lack of pain the needle provided than the action of it sliding through my skin. The needle felt like a little push, accompanied by the feeling of pricking yourself with a safety pin without breaking the skin. I was overjoyed. Before she put the jewelry through she showed me the needle through my septum and I laughed, it looked rather silly. Sliding the jewelry in was a piece of cake as usual, but I did bleed a bit afterwards. She sprayed my nose with a bit of sea salt solution and used a papertowel to clean off the blood. She gave me an extra papertowel just in case I started to bleed again.
Other than a bit of blood, everything went smoothly and I gave her the $50 for my piercing and was sent on my way (along with a refill of sea salt solution I had gotten previously for my navel). Before I got home I flipped up the CBB into my nose and it's absolutely undetectable. Thank goodness for small favors because I know my family would absolutely despise my septum piercing, but I think it's beautiful. It's perfectly centered and it looks great.
After the piercing was done I barely felt any pain at all, except for a pang or two once in a while. I can't feel it at all right now. It's less painful afterwards than my earlobe was but I guess that's because the skin of the septum is much thinner than the earlobe.
I'm 100% glad I got this piercing. The clamps do hurt a lot with this one, but don't let them make you think the needle will make it worse. Having my septum pierced has opened the doors wider for me and I'm much more willing to venture further into the world of body modification. It is definitely my favorite piercing so far, and I now have the confidence to go back for many more.